New-Car Buyers Report Improvement in Multimedia Systems

J.D. Power, which conducted the annual survey, said this is the first year in three years that infotainment dropped from being 25% of reported problems with new cars' multimedia systems.

J-D-Power-vehicle-multimedia-satisfaction-study-2023
Automakers should focus on further optimization of Apple Car Play and Android Auto to further reduce reported problems, one analyst said.

In 2020, overall multimedia problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) was at 39.1 and steadily increased until 2024 with 43.7 PP100, excluding repair data, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study. A lower score reflects higher quality.

This year also marks the first year in three years that infotainment dropped from being 25% of the industry problems. The biggest improvements amongst the top 10 problems cited by drivers in 2024 are voice recognition, lack of USB ports and inconsistent volume.

“It is great to see OEMs and suppliers taking action on what were typically the biggest contributors to the increases in vehicle multimedia quality problems,” said Ashley Edgar, senior director of automotive benchmarking at J.D. Power. “Previously long-standing issues have been addressed and those updates can be seen in the problem decreases. Looking ahead, to continue decreasing problems, further optimization of Apple Car Play and Android Auto should remain a top priority.”

The highest-ranked vehicles in each segment are:

• Midsize/Large: Hyundai Santa Fe
• Midsize/Large Premium: Cadillac Escalade
• Small/Compact: Mitsubishi Outlander
• Small/Compact Premium: Cadillac CT4

The 2024 U.S. Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study is based on responses from 99,144 purchasers and lessees of new 2024 model-year vehicles who were surveyed after 90 days of ownership. The study was fielded from July 2023 through May 2024.

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