Drivers Express Frustration with Overly Complex Car Technology
Drivers are increasingly voicing their displeasure with the rapidly advancing technology in modern vehicles, finding that the latest features are not always improvements. From finicky touchscreens to sensor-laden door handles, the innovations intended to enhance the driving experience are often causing more headaches than convenience.
Glitches can be especially annoying for drivers whose cars cost more because of extra technology. ILLUSTRATION: SHIRA INBAR/WSJ
New cars in the 2020s are fitted with an array of technological advancements. Many vehicles now include features such as infrared night vision, ambient lighting, and interior cameras. However, these innovations appear to be backfiring for automakers.
Surveys show a decline in driver satisfaction with these technologies. According to Strategic Vision, a market-research firm, the share of new-car buyers with positive feelings about the intuitiveness of their car’s controls fell from 79% in 2015 to 56% in 2024. Drivers express a desire for simplicity.
Technology Creates Problems
Vincent Dufault-Bédard, a 36-year-old engineer in Montreal, experienced firsthand the potential pitfalls of advanced technology. In January, he couldn’t remotely start charging his 2024 Volkswagen ID.4 due to a phone app glitch. His car doors wouldn’t open because of sensor issues, forcing him to crawl through the trunk on a freezing night.
“Just give me a normal door handle,” Dufault-Bédard said. J.D. Power reports that owners of battery-electric vehicles reported door handle problems at a rate of 3.1 issues per 100 vehicles in 2024, up from 0.2 in 2020.
Kathleen Rizk, a senior director at J.D. Power, stated, “We’ve changed door handles from being a problem-free experience to now, they pop out when the owner approaches, and we’re seeing all these problems.”
Touch Screens and Capacitive Switches: A Driver’s Nightmare
Touch screens are another source of frustration, with many drivers finding them distracting and inconvenient. Jake Pratte, a 35-year-old project manager, sees touchscreens as a potential hazard, forcing drivers to take their eyes off the road while adjusting settings.
Pratte has similar concerns about capacitive switches, which respond to touch rather than physical pressure. He described them as “an absolute nightmare for someone with slightly sweaty hands.”
Although touch screens have become a standard feature in new vehicles, with some 28% of new-car buyers still preferring buttons, according to a 2022 survey by Escalent, a consulting firm. Several automakers are responding to driver preferences by reintroducing buttons and knobs.
Starting next year, Euro NCAP, a European organization, will consider cars safer if they have physical components for controlling primary functions like windshield wipers and hazard lights.
“There are genuine distraction issues,” said Matthew Avery, Euro NCAP’s director of strategic development.
Subscription Fees Add to Costs
While features like wireless phone charging and heated seats are popular, drivers are increasingly wary of the added cost of the technology. Some base-model vehicles retain more value at the end of a lease because of the depreciation of the technology.
Ken Larsen, 59, uses a subscription-based app to remotely start his 2024 Toyota Tundra, as the key fob function is unreliable. He finds the extra $15 monthly fee frustrating, stating, “My payment’s $1,000 a month, and now I gotta pay another $15 a month just to be able to start it remotely.”
Larsen also owns a 1985 Chevy Silverado, which he can fix himself, highlighting a desire for simpler vehicles that are easier to maintain.
