New car technology can be so annoying some drivers turn it off, report says

Alerts from new driver assist systems can be so annoying that some motorists are turning the features off, according to a new survey.

The 2019 JD Power Tech Experience Index study also found that frustrated drivers may avoid the systems in future vehicle purchases.

That is a problem for car makers who want to sell the technology and prepare people for fully automated vehicles, the company said.

“Automakers are spending lots of money on advanced technology development, but the constant alerts can confuse and frustrate drivers,” said Kristin Kolodge, JD Power’s director of human-machine interface.

“The technology can’t come across as a nagging parent. No one wants to be constantly told they aren’t driving correctly.”

Systems that keep vehicles centred or within their lanes were problematic for owners, the study found.

An average of 23% of drivers with the systems view the alerts as annoying.
The results vary by brand, with up to 30% finding the alerts bothersome.

Of drivers who do not like the alerts, 61% sometimes disable the systems. A spokesman said JD Power would not identify the brands.

Collision protection systems such as automatic emergency braking fared the best in six categories covered by the survey.

Smartphone mirroring was second, followed by comfort and convenience features such as voice recognition and climate controls.

Entertainment and connectivity such as linking phones and Bluetooth was fourth, followed by driving assistance such as blind spot detection or lane keeping systems.

Navigation finished last.

The survey also found that 69% of owners have Apple CarPlay and/or Google’s Android Auto in their vehicles.

The phone mirroring systems are starting to jeopardise sales of the car makers’ factory installed navigation systems, the survey found.

The company’s survey included more than 16,400 responses from people who bought or leased a 2019 vehicle in the past 90 days.