Survey: US owners frustrated when linking phones to vehicles

Smartphone connections, mainly linking Android Auto and Apple CarPlay to automobiles, was this year’s top problem. It beat voice recognition as the survey’s No 1 gremlin for the first time since 2011, according to a large US survey of auto owners. — AP

DETROIT: Automobile quality rose last year, but glitches in pairing smartphones with infotainment systems frustrated owners more than anything, according to a large US survey of auto owners.

For the first time, a brand from Fiat Chrysler, now Stellantis, ranked No 1 for having the fewest problems. Ram trucks finished first, followed by another company brand, Dodge, according to the annual survey by J.D. Power. Lexus, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Kia, Genesis, Hyundai, Jeep and Chevrolet rounded out the top 10 brands.