VW Iphone 4s bluetooth connection drop problem, is there a solution or do apple not care

No more bluetooth losses?

browndogs10 wrote:

I have a 2011 Jetta with a iPhone 4s. I get the bluetooth drop as well. Has anyone puchased an iPhone 5 and found that they no longer have this issue?

The issue is in the car not the phone. The VW BT 2.1 handler has errors and is not completely compatible with the BT 4 standard implemented by the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 running iOS 6.

Can this be solved at the VW dealer? If so, what do you ask for and do you think they could cover it under warranty?

You need first to know which BT module is your car fitted with (standard, rsap,...). For instance, universal bluetooth modules are 5K0 035 730B, C, D, etc. and according to VW, from 5K0 035 730G on the problem is solved.

What I don't think is that VW will change our bt's for free and, as said, I think Apple should give us some solution.

I have the same problem on my Seat Leon. Today the dealer has checked if there is any upgrade of bluetooth available, but unfortunately my BT is the latest version.

2011 Jetta TDI, same problem with incoming calls, does not pick up and scrambles the phone so that outgoing calls via bluetooth interface inoperable. Turning bluetooth off then on again on the iphone 4s allows outgoing calls again. One work around is to enable BT audio from music library to play through head unit, then incoming calls are fine. Music is interrupted and call can be answered. VW dealers are not much help, "bring it in and we can run a diagnostic". This is a software/firmware problem not a hardware fix, so a replacement module ($400+) is not an acceptable solution.

Chris, your work around playing BT audio proves definitely that the problem has to do with the saving energy mode of the bluetooth 4.0 protocol. Playing BT audio keeps the connection "alive", avoiding the low energy mode to kick in. Anyways, I think Apple must give us the choice to to keep on using our iPhone while driving, even if battery drains faster.

I went through VW customer care, they acknowledge the problem and say that they have asked Apple to update IOS to fix the problem (Apple declined!). I asked them to escalate the problem and get an engineer to provide a technical description of the problem, not sure they will do this though. I will now try the genius bar at Apple, to try and work this from both sides.

As I expected VW don't want to address the issue further:

"As you requested when speaking with my colleague, I am providing you with Volkswagen’s position regarding the Bluetooth® concerns when using your Apple® iPhone® 4S:

We researched and found that an Apple® software update needs to be implemented in order to address the concerns you described. The system in the vehicle may have been designed before your phone, so the iPhone® software and latest updates are not compatible with your Jetta SportWagen; Volkswagen will not reprogram all the vehicles. Volkswagen has reached out to Apple® and they are not willing to change their software.

I know what I’ve told you is not the answer you were looking for and I truly regret another solution cannot be advised at this time.

If you have any future questions, please feel free to send us another email or call the Volkswagen Customer CARE Center.

"

If audio streaming keeps the connection alive could we not get an app to do the same thing? , at least we would be able to receive calls.

Chris,

Do not forget that there is another solution to try (VW said to me): replace your bluetooth module by 5K0 035 730G (probably you have got a B or C). This will cost you about 200 Euros

Maybe I'll try it and post the results back.

Anyways, if there was a point were 4s worked fine and some of the updates screwed it up, then Apple has to sort it out. Has anyone here identified that update?

My module has no revision letter, so I assume its the first version. VW would not comment on whether a newer module would fix the problem, they did not want to provide a technical response from one of their engineers. If you do change it out, get it on sale or return, only pay if it fixes the problem. Do you have the response from VW in an email? Also the next version of IOS may break it again.

I don't have any e-mail from VW. As said, if I replace mine, will post back. I don't think a new update would screw it up again, unless Bluetooth 5.0 or whatever is expected.

Escalated within VW, they confirm revision G module will fix the problem, and will contact again when ios7 releases to review any new issues. It may be worth waiting to see if ios7 fixes the problem or introduces any new problems.

Just updated to ISO 7 / BlueTooth same no fix. 6.1.3 incoming calls go straght to iphone and bypass's bluetooth. If answer with phone jump to iphone Same thing in ISO 7 It not the 3 party hardware.

I have the iPhone 4S and a 2011 VW Passat. And I have the same issue as all you guys.

Is there anyone who have the same problem with iPhone 5 in the pre 2012 VWs? I think the question has already been asked, bud I don't seem to find any answers.

My wife is getting more and more annoyed at me missing her calls. I tell her that we need to buy a new more expensive car. But she is not that easily fooled, so I'm going for a new phone instead. If my VW 2011 will work fine with a iPhone 5 I'll go for that (who knows if 5S is going to work...). If not, something else...