When Your Touch Screen Stops Responding
Few things are more frustrating than sliding into your car, ready for a smooth drive, only to find your touch screen frozen, flickering, or ignoring every tap. In today’s vehicles, the infotainment system, sometimes called the car screen radio, isn’t just for music. It’s the nerve center for navigation, climate control, bluetooth calling, backup camera display, and even certain safety features.
When your car touch screen is not working, it’s more than an inconvenience. It can compromise safety, reduce usability, and in some cases, qualify as a defect under state lemon laws.
This guide explains the most common infotainment and touch screen problems, why they occur, how they can affect both safety and vehicle value, the steps you should take if your dealer can’t resolve the issue, and when it’s time to call a lemon law attorney for help.
Touchscreens Still Top the Complaint List in 2025
According to a recent J.D. Power survey of 92,694 owners of new 2025 vehicles, infotainment systems remain one of the most common sources of frustration in the first 90 days of ownership. The study measures problems per 100 vehicles (PP100) across ten categories, with lower scores indicating better quality. While overall vehicle quality showed a slight improvement, total reported problems dropped from 194 to 192 PP100, touch screen systems continue to generate a high volume of complaints, highlighting that even as technology advances, reliability issues persist.
Problem #1: Touch Screen Freezing or Unresponsive
What it looks like:
- The display freezes mid-drive
- Touch inputs don’t register
- Certain apps or menus won’t load
Potential causes:
- Faulty software updates
- Hardware malfunctions in the display unit
- Overheating or electrical interference
- Connection failures between the head unit and vehicle sensors
Impact: When the screen freezes, drivers may lose access to navigation, climate controls, or backup cameras, all of which can be safety-critical.
Problem #2: Random System Resets
What it looks like:
- Infotainment system reboots without warning
- Multiple resets during a single trip
- Loss of saved settings and paired devices
Potential causes:
- Software instability
- Short circuits or faulty wiring
- Incompatibility between the car’s software and connected devices
Impact: These interruptions distract drivers and can cut off active navigation, audio, or hands-free calls. Frequent resets are also a sign of underlying defects that may require hardware replacement, not just a patch.
Problem #3: Bluetooth and Connectivity Failures
What it looks like:
- Devices won’t pair
- Frequent disconnections mid-call
- Poor call audio quality
Potential causes:
- Outdated infotainment firmware
- Conflicts with newer smartphone operating systems
- Weak or failing Bluetooth modules
Impact: Connectivity failures aren’t just inconvenient, they can force drivers to handle their phones while driving, violating hands-free laws and increasing accident risk.
Problem #4: Navigation and GPS Errors
What it looks like:
- Maps fail to load or freeze during use
- Incorrect vehicle location
- Lost GPS signal without warning
Potential causes:
- Antenna or sensor defects
- Outdated map data
- Software glitches in the navigation module
Impact: For drivers in unfamiliar areas, GPS failure can mean missed turns, dangerous reroutes, or delays in reaching emergency destinations.
Problem #5: Audio and Display Malfunctions
What it looks like:
- No audio output from media or calls
- Distorted sound quality
- Flickering or dim screens
Potential causes:
- Loose wiring connections
- Faulty amplifier or speakers
- Software controlling audio output failing to load properly
Impact: A malfunctioning display can make critical warnings unreadable. In some models, infotainment screens also display speed limits, blind spot alerts, or camera feeds, losing these features can be a serious hazard.
Commonly Affected Makes and Models
Mazda
Mazda has faced significant scrutiny for infotainment failures, with the most notable outcome being the Mazda infotainment settlement, which compensated thousands of owners for screen freezes, GPS errors, and system restarts. Models such as the Mazda3, Mazda6, and CX-series SUVs have all been impacted, with many drivers reporting that repeated dealer repairs failed to permanently resolve the problems.
The suit alleges that the Mazda Connect system, used in models from 2014–2023 such as the Mazda3, Mazda2, CX-3, CX-5, CX-9, and MX-5 Miata, can freeze, stop responding to touch, and reboot repeatedly, often due to defective navigation SD cards. Plaintiffs claim Mazda has known about the problem since 2016 and even issued technical service bulletins to dealers, while the company denies wrongdoing. The settlement highlighted how serious and widespread Mazda infotainment defects can be when they impair navigation, audio controls, and vehicle settings.
Ford
Ford has recently faced major infotainment-related recalls, particularly involving Ford SYNC 3 software glitches that impair the rearview camera display. In May 2025, the automaker recalled over 1 million vehicles due to software defects that cause the backup camera image to delay, freeze, or not display at all, especially when reversing. Shortly after, another recall of 200,061 Ford and Lincoln vehicles was issued for similar SYNC 3-related rearview camera malfunctions, symptoms ranging from a frozen image that doesn't clear after exiting reverse to a completely blank screen. Dealers are installing software updates free of charge to resolve these safety-critical issues, however, Ford infotainment issues continue to persist.
GM
GM has faced widespread infotainment complaints across its portfolio. Chevrolet owners have reported recurring infotainment issues across multiple models, from frozen touch screens and random reboots to persistent Bluetooth pairing failures. Other affected vehicles are Buick, GMC, and Cadillac. Owners report recurring issues such as frozen touch screens, random system reboots, persistent Bluetooth pairing failures, and blacked-out displays. These GM infotainment system issues often extend beyond convenience features like the car screen radio, impacting safety-critical systems including backup camera feeds. Vehicles equipped with GM’s IntelliLink system, as well as models using RPO IVD and IVE infotainment units, have been the subject of numerous consumer complaints and service bulletins.
Reports span full-size trucks, midsize crossovers, and SUVs, with drivers experiencing audio loss, connectivity breakdowns, and complete software crashes. GM has publicly acknowledged the scope of these defects and is rolling out over-the-air updates and updated Technical Service Bulletins to address them, though many owners report that fixes can be slow to arrive or only temporarily effective.
Other Vehicles Facing Infotainment Issues
Beyond GM, Mazda, and Ford, many other automakers have faced similar infotainment complaints. Honda’s Display Audio systems, Hyundai’s Pleos infotainment units, Volkswagen and Audi’s MIB systems, Tesla’s central control screens, and various luxury brand interfaces have all been flagged by drivers for glitches, connectivity failures, and display malfunctions. In some cases, these problems have led to recalls, class-action lawsuits, or widespread service campaigns. Regardless of the make or model, any touch screen defect that persists despite multiple repair attempts under warranty may qualify for relief under state lemon laws.
Why Infotainment Glitches Can Qualify Under Lemon Law
State lemon laws protect consumers who purchase or lease vehicles with substantial defects that persist despite repeated repair attempts. Infotainment defects may qualify if they:
- Affect safety: for example, disabling the backup camera or emergency call system.
- Impair usability: preventing access to navigation, climate control, or Bluetooth communication.
- Reduce vehicle value: repeated, unresolved glitches can hurt resale prospects.
Typical qualifying factors:
- 3+ unsuccessful repair attempts for the same issue under warranty
- The vehicle has been out of service for 30+ cumulative days during the warranty period
- The defect first appeared while under the manufacturer’s warranty
What to Do If Your Car Touch Screen Isn’t Working
- Document Every Incident
- Date, time, and exact behavior of the issue
- Photos or videos of the malfunction
- Any error messages or warning lights
- Save All Repair Records
- Service orders from each dealership visit
- Technician notes on attempted fixes
- Request Software Update Logs
- These can reveal whether updates failed or were never installed
- File a Complaint with NHTSA
- Helps build a public record of recurring defects
- Consult a Lemon Law Attorney Early
- The sooner you involve legal help, the better your chances of securing a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement
Don’t Wait for the Next Glitch
A failing car touch screen isn't just annoying. It can compromise your safety, diminish your vehicle’s value, and cost you time and peace of mind. If your car infotainment system is not working and the dealer can’t provide a lasting fix, you may have a valid lemon law claim.
Don’t settle for repeated trips to the dealership. Call The Lemon Lawyers today for a free consultation and take the first step toward resolution. We only get paid when you do, and we’ve helped countless clients turn frustrating defects into fair compensation. Call (512) 387-3510 or submit your claim online now.
