Notifications while using CarPlay - they no longer work after iOS 18 install

I’m using a 14 Pro Max with iOS 18. I also have an Apple Watch Ultra 2 with current software. I’ve been using CarPlay for about 3 years.

When using CarPlay nearly all notifications have been silenced. I get text notifications, although the sound is a bit lower. I get Calendar and Reminder notifications as well. I get a banner on my CarPlay Dashboard for find me alerts - like if I leave my AirPods somewhere. There is no sound, however, with the find me notifications. I only get audible notifications for text, calendar and reminders. Side note - I’m ok with Siri announcing that I have an alert, but I do not want Siri to read my messages. I only want to hear text messages when I ask.

For almost all other apps, notifications have been completely “silenced “. Meaning there is no longer a notification. Not on the CarPlay screen, not on my phone and not on my watch. This behavior started with iOS 18.

i would like to get all of my app notifications, but that, by design, isn’t really an option.

so far I have:

• Checked for Drive focus and have gone as far as deleting the drive focus completely from my phone
• removed my device from the CarPlay unit : Had it forget my phone
• rebooted my phone
• wiped and restored my phone
• checked all settings in my phone to make sure that notifications are on. For several apps I’ve turned on sound, persistent banners, etc
• made sure my iPhone volume is all the way up and confirmed that it was not in silent mode
• in the CarPlay settings I’ve tried mirror iPhone silent settings and turn off silent mode

i am at a loss. It’s now become dangerous to use CarPlay as I no longer get Dexcom CGM alerts.

what am I missing?