2021 Acura RDX CarPlay and infotainment problems

sethqc wrote: ↑ Anyone having connection problems when trying to use Apple CarPlay with the infotainment system ? I have an iPhone XR, updated to the latest iOS version as well as the infotainment updated to the latest version.

Sometimes CarPlay connects and disconnects every 2 minutes. I tried different USB cables, resetting the infotainment system, and no different results. I emailed Acura client relations and they refer me to a dealership. Called the dealership and they say that they don’t know what to do.

I’m quite disappointed as it is a major feature if not the most important feature I use in the RDX. Like many of the provinces in Canada, hands free use of cell is mandatory so the only way to do so is CarPlay.

Bought a 2021 Platinum Elite version; its now less than 4000 km.

Thinking of asking them to buy back the car as the advertised features doesn’t work. As for the navigation system built in, it’s crap as anyone can tell.

Any experiences regarding this major problem?

Broli's Mom wrote: ↑ I have a 2019 and I encountered this problem early on in my ownership. I swapped cables, reset the infotainment system, everything under the sun. The only way I fixed it was by backing up my iPhone, restoring to factory specs and the restoring the phone from the backup. I am assuming that downloading and reinstalling the firmware on the phone is what fixed this issue because I haven't had any issues since then. This problem came up when I had the iPhone X, but I now have 12 Pro Max and it has been solid. I even use a 6" non-OEM lightning cable without any problems.

sethqc wrote: ↑ Anyone having connection problems when trying to use Apple CarPlay with the infotainment system ? I have an iPhone XR, updated to the latest iOS version as well as the infotainment updated to the latest version.

Sometimes CarPlay connects and disconnects every 2 minutes. I tried different USB cables, resetting the infotainment system, and no different results. I emailed Acura client relations and they refer me to a dealership. Called the dealership and they say that they don’t know what to do.

I’m quite disappointed as it is a major feature if not the most important feature I use in the RDX. Like many of the provinces in Canada, hands free use of cell is mandatory so the only way to do so is CarPlay.

Bought a 2021 Platinum Elite version; its now less than 4000 km.

Thinking of asking them to buy back the car as the advertised features doesn’t work. As for the navigation system built in, it’s crap as anyone can tell.

Any experiences regarding this major problem?

sethqc wrote: ↑ Thanks for the tip. I will try that. Have nothing to lose. :-)

NewsyL wrote: ↑ Well.... the RDX infotainment system is problematic regardless of Android or Apple OS being used with it.

See my post > debating-between-2019-acura-rdx-2019-bm ... #p34871447

Sometimes it even thinks I'm connected via CarPlay when I'm using Android Auto.




I suggest you visit this forum and look for info there.

https://acurazine.com/forums/third-gene ... -2019-454/

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sethqc wrote: ↑ Yeah Acura's infotainment system is cr**. Based on Android OS instead of proprietary software is a sure guarantee to make things bad. Had I knew what I know now about this, I wouldn't got this RDX.

sethqc wrote: ↑ I did a complete restore of my iPhone and restored a backup and things seem to be working for now.... I'm using an original Apple lightning cable.

I did the good thing to have it on a lease. If things start going bad again, easier to get out. At almost the same price, Audi has it right and wireless CarPlay works flawlessly. I've been a loyal Acura customer for many years and my loyalty just ended with this SUV. Acura definitely is going down the hill, both on quality and customer service.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Xtrema wrote: ↑ It doesn't matter what the infotainment software runs on. The CP/AA issue has always been a problem off and on for car manufacturers. You can't expect something that updates may be once every 2 to 3 years if you are lucky and be compatible always with something that updates weekly/monthly and major changes yearly.

sethqc wrote: ↑ I know it can be a challenge for car makers but at some point, they know what they're in for when they get in the CP/AA train. Audi, BMW, Mercedes offer CP/AA and it is flawless, regardless of frequent updates. I have many friends that own those brands and they never experienced any issues with CP/AA. Those car makers provide frequent updates to their infotainment systems assuring reliability and compatibility to systems they claim offering.

Acura cuted costs by having their infotainment systems programmed by cheap labor in Bangladesh and that's the results. Bad original programming and probably no references to update their software in order to correct the many issues.

Just looking at the diagnostic screen and the error log on my RDX is frightening. I can't count how many "hard" errors I have every time I start the car.

sethqc wrote: ↑ I know it can be a challenge for car makers but at some point, they know what they're in for when they get in the CP/AA train. Audi, BMW, Mercedes offer CP/AA and it is flawless, regardless of frequent updates. I have many friends that own those brands and they never experienced any issues with CP/AA. Those car makers provide frequent updates to their infotainment systems assuring reliability and compatibility to systems they claim offering.

Acura cuted costs by having their infotainment systems programmed by cheap labor in Bangladesh and that's the results. Bad original programming and probably no references to update their software in order to correct the many issues.

Just looking at the diagnostic screen and the error log on my RDX is frightening. I can't count how many "hard" errors I have every time I start the car.

StatsGuy wrote: ↑ lol..nothing flawless about CP or AA with my current and last couple BMW nor Audi. you're in dreamland if you think BMW/Audi/MB or others don't have issues.

NewsyL wrote: ↑ About those updates.....

When I bought the 2019 in Aug 2018, Android Auto was not available as yet but was promised. Car Play may have been available at the time I bought it but was very flakey in its' early versions.

I think it was end of January 2019 that an over the air (OTA) update was released that enabled AA. An owner can install this in their own driveway - no need to go to the dealer! I did just that. That first version was far from perfect but I'm probably that 1 guy in 100 that has a bad core processor. The first OTA update got it working and I was sooooo happy because the update also allowed a usb cable connection for music to be streamed from your phone to the excellent audio system in this vehicle. There was an audible difference vs Bluetooth and a visual difference with album graphics finally showing for tracks on the centre screen.

Since then OTA's have been arriving about every 6 to 8 months and with every update the experience gets better.

Now that Google has announced they are ceasing development of AA, and instead moving to a Google Assistant model for in car operations, I'm wondering what is next for this infotainment system.

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sethqc wrote: ↑ Well I just drove a 2021 Q5 for 3 weeks and never ever had an issue with wireless CarPlay. Connected easily everytime and the infotainment is second to none compared to Acura; responsiveness and speed of the system is day and night. Maybe I was lucky but it was perfect and worked the way it is intended to. Q5 and RDX are about at the same price point.