The automotive world has been buzzing with promises of a high-tech future, where our cars are smarter, safer, and more connected than ever before. We’re told these innovations will streamline our lives, turning mundane commutes into seamless, futuristic experiences. Yet, for many of us, the reality often falls far short of this utopian vision, transforming what should be helpful advancements into sources of genuine frustration.
Indeed, if you’ve spent any time behind the wheel of a newer model, you’ve likely experienced the creeping suspicion that not all tech is created equal. Some advancements are genuinely brilliant, making our lives easier and safer, but others feel like they’re trying to solve problems we never had, or worse, creating new ones. It’s no wonder many drivers are starting to wish for the simpler days of manual windows and physical dials.
At MotorTrend, our experts, who test every new car, truck, and SUV, are acutely familiar with this phenomenon, often dubbed ‘feature bloat.’ We’ve polled our staff and gathered insights from countless drivers to pinpoint exactly which modern car technologies are sparking the most ire. Get ready to commiserate, because we’re diving deep into the most aggravating features that leave drivers shaking their heads and yearning for the good old days.
1. **Overly Complicated Infotainment Systems & Laggy Touchscreens**
Modern vehicles often arrive boasting advanced infotainment systems, promising a seamless blend of connectivity and entertainment right at your fingertips. However, the reality for many drivers is a confusing tangle of menus and unresponsive touchscreens. Trying to navigate these systems often means sifting through multiple layers of settings, a task that is both distracting and frustrating, especially while driving.
Automakers, in many cases, have tried to turn our cars into ‘iPads on wheels,’ and the result isn’t always smooth. Touchscreens, while visually sleek, frequently overcomplicate basic tasks. Imagine needing to scroll through a menu like you’re on Netflix just to adjust the A/C – it takes your eyes off the road for far longer than is necessary or safe.
Beyond usability, reliability is a huge concern. Drivers frequently complain about slow response times, with laggy touchscreens making simple adjustments a major annoyance. If that glorious high-tech ‘infotainment’ screen cracks or simply goes down, prepare to shell out anywhere from ‘hundreds to thousands of dollars,’ as many frustrated owners have discovered.
Specific brands have faced criticism, too. Cadillac’s CUE was notorious for screens that would ‘delaminate, bubble, and peel,’ affecting both look and function, and it even lacked a physical volume button. Nissan’s pre-2016 systems featured ‘a small screen with low resolution and an annoying circle pad,’ while Volvo’s XC60 often has ‘buttons too small, distracting drivers.’ Mazda, which only started including touchscreens in 2023, counterintuitively made Apple CarPlay and Android Auto only usable via a dashboard knob.
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2. **Multi-Function Switches & Overcomplicated Climate Controls**
Remember when a button did just one thing, and it did it well? Those days, it seems, are increasingly in the rearview mirror. A common complaint among our staff, ‘more than any other,’ concerns the proliferation of multi-function switches. We’re talking about ‘two window switches that do the work of four’ (Volkswagen, Volvo, Polestar) or knobs that toggle between stereo volume and climate settings (Kia, Hyundai).
This trend, often seen as a cost-cutting measure, leads to endless confusion and frustration. Our experts agree: ‘If a feature gets used enough to need a hard button, it needs its own hard button.’ Drivers shouldn’t have to engage in a mental dance to remember which mode their single knob or switch is currently in, especially when they’re trying to keep their eyes on the road.
This issue extends directly to climate control systems, which have become unnecessarily complex. Touch-sensitive temperature adjustments transform simple tasks like turning on the air conditioning into a fiddly exercise in patience. Furthermore, ‘air vents controlled by screens’ are ‘needlessly complicated and frustrating, especially while driving,’ adding significant repair costs if hidden motors malfunction.
Even volume controls have fallen victim to this over-engineering. MotorTrend staff find ‘swiping or tapping at a touch-sensitive strip is a dumb way to adjust the volume in moving vehicles.’ The clear sentiment is: ‘Put the volume knob back and stop fooling around.’ Sometimes, simple physical controls are simply superior for usability and safety.
3. **Hyperactive Active Safety Systems & Annoying Lane-Keeping Assist**
Safety features are designed to protect us, and we absolutely appreciate their intent. However, many modern active safety systems have become sources of anxiety and irritation rather than reassurance. Picture this: your car ‘beeps at you about every little thing’ (Subaru) or ‘slams on the brakes when you’re backing into a garage and are still four feet from the wall.’
These well-intentioned guardians frequently throw ‘constant false alerts or grab the brakes when there’s no actual danger.’ When overly sensitive, their constant barrage of warnings transforms them into distractions. Many drivers find themselves simply turning these systems off, which ‘defeats the entire purpose,’ as highlighted by our MotorTrend experts.
Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) are causing headaches not just for drivers but also in repair shops, where a ‘once straightforward job like replacing a bumper can now require hours of sensor and camera recalibration,’ leading to ‘higher repair bills for customers.’ One perspective even claims ‘the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety…helped determine that almost every driver assist system actually sucks.’
Lane-keeping assist, in particular, often draws ire. Drivers report ‘aggressive corrections and false alerts’ that are more irritating than helpful, making them feel like they’re ‘fighting against the system.’ Similarly, ‘bad blind-spot monitoring’ systems ‘freak out if there’s a car anywhere within 100 yards.’ Driver-monitoring systems, too, are criticized for ‘demanding that drivers jiggle the steering wheel periodically’ or ‘grabbing at the steering wheel if the car isn’t in the exact center of the lane.’ Drivers clearly don’t want to be constantly second-guessed by their own vehicles.
4. **Automatic Stop-Start Systems**
Here’s a feature that probably sounded fantastic in a boardroom presentation: the Automatic Stop-Start system. The idea is simple – shut off the engine when the car is idling, like at a red light or in bumper-to-bumper traffic, to save fuel and reduce emissions. Sounds eco-conscious, right? Well, in the real world, it’s often a different story.
Our experts agree that the ‘savings are negligible at best,’ with most estimates showing fuel saved amounting to ‘little more than spare change.’ This hardly justifies the ‘jerky, intrusive’ nature of the system. Drivers frequently find the ‘jarring restarts and unnecessary engine stops annoying,’ especially when navigating heavy traffic, where it can ‘dampen any mood.’
Beyond the sheer annoyance, there’s ‘plenty of debate over whether the aptly acronymed A-S-S may actually shorten the lifespan of your starter motor and battery.’ What’s clear is that for many, this feature feels like ‘tech for tech’s sake.’ Given the choice, most drivers ‘would gladly opt out of it,’ desiring the ability to simply turn it on or off as they see fit.
This system, while perhaps making the EPA happy with its supposed positive effect on carbon emissions, often feels like an unnecessary complication from behind the wheel. The constant stopping and starting can be incredibly disruptive, pulling you out of the smooth flow of driving and reminding you of the system’s presence at the most inconvenient times.
5. **Unreliable GPS Navigation & No Home Screen**
GPS navigation systems are meant to be our trusty co-pilots, guiding us effortlessly to our destinations. Yet, for countless drivers, these built-in systems have become sources of immense frustration, delivering ‘frequent misdirections and outdated maps.’ This isn’t just a minor inconvenience; it can lead to ‘unnecessary detours, wasted time, and increased stress,’ especially when you’re in unfamiliar territory or running on a tight schedule.
This kind of unreliability makes even ‘simple trips more challenging’ and often pushes drivers to rely instead on their smartphones, despite the car having a supposedly advanced system right there in the dash. Ford’s MyTouch (2011-2013) system, for instance, received complaints that its ‘GPS function didn’t provide correct information,’ leading to a class-action lawsuit.
Adding to the confusion is the baffling trend among some automakers, notably ‘Toyota and Lexus, especially, but also Rivian,’ to ‘forgo home screens for their infotainment systems.’ The stated goal is presumably to make them simpler, but sometimes, a little complexity is actually beneficial for usability. Without a central hub, finding basic features can become a tedious scavenger hunt through endless menus.
Our experts argue that while simplicity is good, a home screen is a fundamental organizational tool. At the very least, drivers need ‘a home screen where you can easily find all the major features and categories of features rather than searching through endless menus.’ What’s truly king, they suggest, is ‘the customizable home screen which you can pin multiple features to simultaneously,’ offering quick access to what you use most.
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6. **Bluetooth Connectivity Issues & Forgetful Settings**
In a world where we’re constantly connected, seamless Bluetooth integration in our cars isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a necessity for hands-free calling and streaming our favorite tunes. So, it’s particularly galling when this supposedly standard technology becomes a persistent headache. Many drivers report ‘difficulty pairing their devices or frequent disconnections,’ turning what should be a simple act into a recurring battle with their car’s system.
These inconsistencies don’t just interrupt your music; they can ‘disrupt phone calls and music playback,’ adding an unnecessary layer of frustration to daily commutes. You’re trying to have an important conversation, or simply enjoy a podcast, and suddenly the audio drops, requiring you to re-pair or troubleshoot – all while driving.
Then there’s the issue of ‘Forgetful Settings’ – a true pet peeve for anyone who likes their car just so. Drivers spend time personalizing their vehicles, setting preferences for everything from audio levels to drive modes and safety system sensitivities. The expectation is that these settings will remain exactly as you left them when you turn the car off and back on again. Yet, surprisingly often, they don’t.
As our MotorTrend staff put it, ‘They’d like to not have to reset everything on every single drive.’ This annoyance is magnified if your vehicle even offers an ‘individual’ or similar custom settings mode. The fundamental principle should be simple: ‘Every setting should remain the same when you turn the car off and back on again.’ Subaru’s Starlink system before 2017 was notorious for being ‘consistently laggy, making it challenging to maintain a Bluetooth connection.’
7. **Inconsistent Wireless Charging Pads & Hot Wireless Phone Chargers**
Wireless charging pads sounded like a dream come true for decluttering our car interiors and keeping our phones juiced up without fiddling with cables. The reality, however, has been far from perfect, often leaving drivers with ‘dead batteries and no easy way to power up their devices on the go’ due to ‘inconsistent wireless charging.’ When a feature designed for convenience fails to deliver reliably, it quickly shifts from a luxury to a nuisance.
The core problem isn’t just about a shaky connection; it’s about heat. As our MotorTrend experts point out, ‘Wireless charging creates heat, and phones stop charging when they get too hot.’ Add to this the heat generated by running demanding apps like CarPlay or Android Auto, streaming maps and audio simultaneously, and you’ve got a recipe for trouble.
When all this happens ‘while crammed in a little slot or compartment,’ it essentially ‘creates an oven’ for your phone. The frustrating outcome? Your phone often ‘ends up with less charge than when you started,’ making the entire feature utterly pointless, if not detrimental. You put your phone on the pad with good intentions, only to find it critically low on battery when you arrive – a technological betrayal.
Thankfully, there’s a straightforward solution, and some forward-thinking automakers are already implementing it: ‘blow cool air on the phone.’ It’s a simple engineering fix that could transform these frustrating hot spots into genuinely useful features. The demand is certainly there, with studies showing ‘Car Shoppers Want Wireless Charging, Not Self-Driving,’ indicating practical, reliable features are often prioritized over futuristic, less dependable ones.
Navigating the roads can be challenging enough without the added frustration of problematic car technologies. We’ve gathered insights from drivers to highlight the most frustrating car tech issues, continuing our deep dive into the innovations that leave us shaking our heads and yearning for the good old days. Get ready to commiserate, because we’re shining a light on even more aggravating features that often overpromise and underdeliver in a big way. These annoyances can make even the smoothest rides feel like a hassle, and it’s time we talked about them. Let’s dive into the tech troubles that leave drivers wishing for manual windows and dials.
8. **Flawed Voice Controls & Voice Recognition Errors**
Voice recognition technology was heralded as a leap forward, promising true hands-free control and seamless interaction with our vehicles. The idea was simple: speak your command, and the car obeys, keeping your hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road. It sounded like something straight out of a sci-fi movie, offering convenience and enhanced safety.
Yet, the reality for many drivers has been a frustrating exercise in repetition and misunderstanding. Systems often fail to grasp commands or respond correctly, turning simple requests into a laborious back-and-forth dialogue. You might find yourself repeating “navigate home” five times, each attempt escalating your annoyance, rather than achieving the desired result.
This constant struggle to communicate with your car’s brain can be more distracting than beneficial. Instead of simplifying tasks, it adds an unnecessary layer of complexity and a significant cognitive load. When a feature designed for hands-free operation demands so much active attention, it paradoxically increases driver distraction, leaving us wishing for a simple button or dial that just *works*.
Ultimately, voice recognition errors underscore a broader issue: when technology isn’t intuitive and reliable, it becomes a hindrance. Drivers don’t want to battle their cars; they want to drive them. Until these systems can reliably understand and execute commands on the first try, they’ll remain a prime example of tech that makes life harder, not easier.
9. **Touch-Sensitive Steering Wheel Controls**
Remember when steering wheel buttons were tactile, clicky, and utterly predictable? Modern cars, in pursuit of a sleek, minimalist aesthetic, have introduced touch-sensitive steering wheel controls. Automakers like Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and Ferrari have embraced this trend, presumably to make the cockpit feel more high-tech and futuristic.
However, in practice, these controls are often nothing short of infuriating. Drivers consistently report that they are never quite responsive enough when you deliberately want to use them. You tap, and tap again, wondering if the system even registered your input, leading to moments of frustration while trying to adjust crucial settings on the fly.
Compounding this issue, these same touch-sensitive surfaces can be accidentally activated with alarming ease. Just by shifting your hands slightly on the wheel, you might inadvertently change the radio station or activate a menu you never intended to access. This leads to unexpected changes and forces drivers to divert their attention to correct the car’s ‘misinterpretations.’
Frankly, these controls don’t offer any tangible improvement over traditional buttons; in fact, they introduce significant driver distraction and frustration. The consensus from our experts and countless drivers is clear: enough is enough. When it comes to crucial controls right at your fingertips, reliability and immediate feedback trump aesthetic novelty every single time.
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10. **Key Cards Instead of Fobs**
In an increasingly connected world, the idea of replacing bulky traditional key fobs with sleek key cards or even smartphone integration sounds like a brilliant move. Automakers envision a future where your phone is your key, and sharing access with friends or family is as simple as sending a digital link. It’s meant to streamline vehicle access and make life a little more seamless.
However, the execution of this concept often falls short, creating more headaches than convenience. For instance, requiring someone borrowing your car to download a specific app just to unlock the door or run a quick errand can be incredibly inconvenient and, frankly, ridiculous. It adds unnecessary hurdles to a process that should be straightforward.
Then there are the key cards themselves – often resembling a pseudo credit card. While visually appealing, they are notoriously easy to misplace or, even worse, to accidentally lock inside the car. Furthermore, many of these cards require physical contact with the vehicle to work, eliminating the long-distance convenience that traditional key fobs offer for unlocking doors or popping the trunk.
Ultimately, drivers crave simplicity and reliability when it comes to accessing their vehicles. Our experts, and many drivers, strongly advocate for automakers to “Sell us a key fob anyone can use to unlock the doors or open the trunk from a distance without any additional steps.” Sometimes, the tried-and-true solution remains the best, offering universal usability and peace of mind without the digital hoops.
11. **Power Boost Buttons**
Modern cars are increasingly equipped with special “Power Boost” buttons or specific drive modes that promise an extra surge of performance. Automakers like BMW, Porsche, Hyundai, and Dodge have implemented these, suggesting that maximum power is a special feature, not a default. It sounds exciting, like unlocking a hidden level in a video game.
But let’s be honest, every vehicle already possesses a built-in power boost mode: it’s called the accelerator pedal. When that pedal is pressed to the floor, drivers expect and should receive maximum power output without any additional steps. The very notion of needing a separate button or a specific digital selection to access your car’s full potential is inherently counterintuitive.
This trend transforms what should be a direct, instinctive action into a multi-step process. Why should drivers have to navigate a touchscreen menu or locate a small, dedicated button just to access the performance their vehicle is capable of delivering? It feels like an artificial constraint, adding complexity where none is needed, and often interrupting the natural flow of driving.
For many, these ‘boost’ features feel like tech for tech’s sake, an unnecessary layer that complicates an otherwise simple function. Drivers desire immediate, predictable responses from their vehicles, especially when it comes to power delivery. The best ‘power boost’ is the one that’s always available, instantly, through the simple act of pressing the accelerator.
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12. **No Direct Tune for Radio**
In the era of hundreds of satellite radio channels and dozens of local FM and AM stations, finding your favorite broadcast should be effortless. However, many modern infotainment systems have made the simple act of tuning the radio into an unnecessarily convoluted ordeal. The browsing experience, while aesthetically pleasing, often sacrifices fundamental functionality.
Drivers frequently find themselves scrolling through endless lists of stations they don’t want, or navigating a labyrinthine decision tree of genres, just to reach their desired channel or frequency. This protracted process demands precious attention and takes eyes off the road for far longer than is safe or practical. It’s a prime example of an infotainment feature making basic tasks infuriating.
The core issue isn’t that browsing options are inherently bad; some people certainly enjoy discovering new stations. The problem arises when this becomes the *only* or primary method of interaction. What drivers truly need is the option for direct, immediate access. Imagine just wanting to hear your favorite news channel, but first having to tap through five screens.
Our experts and frustrated drivers agree on a straightforward solution: “give us a number pad that allows us to type in the channel or frequency we want.” Automakers can keep the browsing features for those who enjoy them, but direct tuning is an essential, time-saving, and safer alternative that should be universally available. It’s about empowering the driver, not forcing them into a browsing experience every time they want to change the channel.
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13. **No One-Pedal EV Driving Option**
Electric vehicles have introduced a host of new driving experiences, and one of the most talked-about is ‘one-pedal driving.’ This innovative mode allows the car to decelerate and even come to a complete stop simply by easing off the accelerator pedal, utilizing regenerative braking. It’s a driving style many EV enthusiasts adore for its efficiency and unique feel, making for a smoother, often more engaging, ride.
However, some automakers, notably Porsche, Audi, Toyota, Lexus, and Subaru, have opted not to include a true one-pedal driving mode, or only offer a limited version. Their argument often centers on efficiency, suggesting that coasting is more effective for maximizing range. While there may be some scientific basis for this, it overlooks a crucial factor: driver preference.
Many EV owners are willing to compromise a few miles of total range for their preferred driving style. The ability to choose how their vehicle behaves on the road is paramount to their satisfaction. As our experts point out, this isn’t about one method being inherently superior, but about providing the driver with the flexibility to select what feels best to them.
Polestar, for example, successfully implements one-pedal driving as an option, letting the driver decide. It’s a clear demonstration that it’s possible to offer this feature without hindering overall vehicle performance or range significantly. For other manufacturers, getting on board with this customizable approach would greatly enhance the user experience and cater to the diverse preferences of EV drivers, making innovation truly adaptive.
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14. **Extremely Bright Yet Dumb Headlights**
Modern LED headlights are undeniably impressive, casting a powerful, clear beam that significantly improves nighttime visibility. Being able to see further and more clearly in the dark is, without question, a good thing and a genuine safety advancement. However, this progress has come with a significant downside that leaves many drivers seeing red – or, more accurately, blinding white.
While they make the road clearer for the driver of the equipped vehicle, these super bright headlights often become an irritating and dangerous nuisance for oncoming traffic and drivers ahead. The intense glare can be momentarily debilitating, creating a significant safety hazard and contributing to driver fatigue and frustration across the board. Everyone blinding each other with super bright headlights is definitely not a good thing.
The most frustrating aspect of this issue is that we actually possess the technology to prevent it. European cars, for instance, have had adaptive headlights for years. These smart systems don’t shine any light directly onto other cars, instead dynamically bending their beams around them (as seen in Mercedes-Benz and Audi models). This means optimal visibility for the driver without dazzling anyone else on the road.
It’s truly exasperating to know that a superior, safer solution exists but is largely unavailable in other markets due to what are often described as archaic regulations. It’s high time these advanced, adaptive headlight technologies became the standard. This isn’t a plea for less innovation, but for smarter, more considerate integration of existing tech that benefits everyone on the road, not just the driver behind the super-bright beams.
And there you have it – another look into the tech troubles that plague our modern vehicles. From voice controls that don’t listen to headlights that blind, it’s clear that the push for innovation sometimes outpaces true user experience. While we appreciate the drive towards a smarter, safer automotive future, these frustrations remind us that simpler, more intuitive designs often lead to a happier, less stressed driver. Here’s hoping automakers take note and remember that sometimes, less truly is more.
