Software Problems in Vehicles – Reasons and Ways to Fix

While software helps us forget about some routine tasks and concentrate on driving our vehicles, this software can cause a lot of weird situations. A modern car has way more than a dozen electronic control modules. And each of them has certain software to operate in needed conditions.

Car software can glitch, break down, stop working, be damaged, get changed or affected by some additional equipment, etc. In this article, I will tell you about all common software problems in modern cars and also give links to more detailed descriptions for further investigation.

Connectivity issues

Software is always about connecting some devices together and making them work to produce something cool. Connectivity in modern vehicles is super important. But, unfortunately, it causes some problems.

In a lot of cars, Bluetooth may stop connecting your phone to the infotainment and you can't listen to your favorite music and use hands-free functions.

Also, a lot of drivers experience other types of problems - they can't unpair their phones in order to pair some other device or stop their cars from automatically connecting to their mobile phones.

In a lot of vehicles, you will also have a Wi-Fi connection for updates and internet services. But it may also malfunction due to software issues.

Connectivity issues highlights:

• Howcommon:very common
• Main reasons:software glitch, connectivity module malfunction, issues with paired device
• DIY diagnosis:possible
• DIYrepair:possible but complicated
• Solutions:reset the system, check the connectivity equipment
• Can you drive?yes
• Price in dealership:$150 - $350

Dashboard software problems

In older cars, dashboards were filled with analog units showing speed, RPMs, engine temp, etc. But now the dash at least has a pretty big screen with information or it is actually a screen itself. This means the dash will also have a ton of software in it.

Which in turn means that you may have a ton of problems with this software.

It may start with complicated settings like changing from kilometers to miles or moving from Trip A to Trip B on the screen. But this just requires understanding how to use certain functions in the dash of your car.

Things become much worse when your trip meter doesn't work the way it should. Or some function is just unavailable but you desperately need it. Another example is the miles-to-empty display that keeps giving you wrong information.

Whenever you have these problems, try solving them by digging into settings. But, in some cases, you will still need professional help.

Dashboard software problems highlights:

• Howcommon:notreallycommon
• Mainreasons:voltage anomalies, software glitch, initially wrong software
• DIY diagnosis:impossible
• DIYrepair:impossible
• Solutions:if settingsdon'thelp, have software updated in dealership
• Can you drive?yes
• Price in dealership:$200 - $450

Infotainment software problems

Infotainment systems in modern cars are actually some kinds of computers with a lot of software used to operate them. While a lot of problems happen with connection via cables or wireless, software itself causes a lot of problems.

A lot of questions people ask about the functionality of the screens. Can you watch movies on them? Well, you obviously can in some vehicles but you will need to find the proper settings to connect them to your phone or tablet. Can you use your phone's GPS to see navigation on the infotainment screen? Yes, but you will need Car Play or Android Auto.

Actually, navigation system problems are the most common issues that people ask about. You will need to know how to reset your infotainment - this helps in a lot of cases.

Infotainment software problems highlights:

• Howcommon:quite common
• Mainreasons:software, connection issues, glitch, overheating
• DIY diagnosis:pretty complicated
• DIYrepair:sometimes possible
• Solutions:reset the infotainment, bring it to initial settings
• Can you drive?yes
• Price in dealership:$200 - $1,000

Mobile phone connection problems

We are in an age when everything is connected to our mobile phones. Even our fridges and vacuum cleaners! Let alone cars.

While it gives you more options for convenient operation, there are issues that come from connectivity issues, software problems, and just glitches. For example, the mobile phone software may not work or there may be some issues with connection.

A lot of brands have developed their connectivity systems and mobile apps for car owners. They usually work via Bluetooth or they may use other protocols for connection like GSM, GPS, or even Wi-Fi. But very often, these systems fail to connect to your car and you lose all the functions.

Also, these functions are very often paid on a subscription basis. But are they worth it? Well, try free trial periods or buy it for one month and check it out. Given they work all the time and update their systems, it may be worth your money. But it depends on the price, of course.

You will get several premium functions lice vehicle locate option or additional anti-theft features. But bear in mind that all these common issues with connectivity and also unpleasant glitches will still be there to bother you.

Mobile apps for cars issues highlights

• Howcommon:very common
• Main reasons:software glitch, connectivity problem, device problem
• DIY diagnosis:pretty complicated
• DIYrepair:sometimes possible
• Solutions:reupload the app,re-pairthe phone, turn off and on all the connections
• Can you drive?yes
• Price in dealership:$150 - $300

Software problems in cars

Surprisingly many problems are caused in modern vehicles exactly by software. Immobilizer issues are very often backed up by a software glitch. Implementation of various driving modes and restrictions also depends on software.

Some functions like a certain display may stop working due to software problems. Or, in some cars, Sport mode can be on any time you start them exactly because there are issues with programs rather than with hardware.

You need to understand that everything in your car is controlled exactly by software. When there is a certain anomaly and the car behaves in a different manner than before (like your Tesla doesn't lock when you walk away with the phone key), there is a problem with the software.

Fortunately, a lot of software problems can easily be cured just by resetting the corresponding system. If this doesn't help, you may need a software update in the dealership.

Car software problems highlights:

• Howcommon:very common
• Main reasons:glitch, voltage problems, hardware issues, wrong settings
• DIY diagnosis:complicated
• DIYrepair:sometimes possible
• Solutions:resetting, changing settings,re-pairingdevices
• Can you drive?yes
• Price in dealership:$150 - $400

Car software settings problems

The more software cars have, the more complicated it is to operate these vehicles. Sometimes turning on the needed function may be a really hard task. For example, people try to learn how to reset AC in their vehicles or to disable the start-stop system.

Actually, disabling the start-stop is a very common topic among car owners. Toyota owners hate this function and want to disable it the moment they buy their vehicles. Also, it's not that easy to disable the function in Chevy cars, let alone new BMW vehicles that don't even allow you to turn it off by the button.

But there are also other settings questions like how to reset or reprogram the key, how to set up the remote start function, or turn off the SOS system (for some reason). Many people are in search of reset buttons that usually don't exist. Even if they exist like the TPMS button, they just don't work as straightforward as you may want them to work.

Disabling different functions like the immobilizer or anti-theft is also a very popular query in the world of car owners. I don't know why so many drivers want to disable SOS but we've written several articles about this due to people constantly asking these questions.

But the funniest articles for our team to write are the articles about different secret settings and menus that you may want to know about in your car.

Car software settings problems highlights:

• Howcommon:very common
• Main reasons:hard-to-operate software, glitch, hardware issues
• DIY diagnosis:possible
• DIYrepair:possible
• Solutions:resetting, learning how to set, asking for professional help
• Can you drive?yes
• Price in dealership:$150 - $250