Modern cars have become rolling computers, with increasingly large screens controlling everything from navigation and entertainment to climate settings and vehicle functions. Unfortunately, all that technology appears to be creating plenty of headaches for owners.
New research highlights just how significant the problem has become, as infotainment now accounts for roughly a quarter of all problems reported with new vehicles, even as quality improves elsewhere.
The findings come from J.D. Power’s Component Quality Reports, which examine vehicle quality at the component level. Its 2026 U.S. Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study draws on responses from 78,514 people who purchased or leased new 2026 model-year vehicles.
Owners were surveyed after 90 days, providing an early look at which systems are causing trouble. Infotainment stands out for all the wrong reasons.
One In Four Problems Involves Infotainment
J.D. Power recorded 42.4 multimedia-related problems per 100 vehicles, essentially unchanged from the previous year. Since other areas of vehicle quality have improved, however, multimedia’s share of total reported problems has climbed to 25%.
Even more strikingly, J.D. Power says multimedia systems account for the five most frequently reported vehicle problems. That makes the technology inside the dashboard a disproportionately large contributor to early ownership complaints.
The findings don’t necessarily mean infotainment systems suddenly became dramatically worse. Instead, they suggest manufacturers have made greater progress improving other components while multimedia quality has largely stagnated.
Cars Are Asking Their Screens To Do More
Today’s infotainment systems perform considerably more functions than the stereos and navigation units of previous generations. Touchscreens increasingly incorporate vehicle settings, smartphone connectivity, climate functions, cameras, drive modes, and other controls that once had dedicated physical switches.
That added complexity creates additional opportunities for software glitches, connectivity failures, and usability complaints. Owner expectations have also risen as drivers increasingly compare automotive interfaces with the polished software experiences offered by smartphones and other consumer electronics.
Screens Aren’t Going Anywhere
Automakers have embraced large displays partly because they allow numerous functions to be consolidated into a single interface. They also make it easier to add or modify features through software rather than redesigning physical controls.
That doesn’t mean every problem reported in the study is necessarily a hardware failure. J.D. Power’s quality studies also capture owner complaints involving functionality and user experience, making frustrating interfaces relevant alongside outright defects.
Software Quality Is Becoming Car Quality
For decades, vehicle quality was largely associated with engines, transmissions, suspension components, and interior construction. As cars become increasingly software-dependent, the definition is rapidly expanding.
The J.D. Power findings clearly show where manufacturers still have work to do. When one category accounts for about one-quarter of reported problems in new vehicles, improving the software behind the screen is becoming as important as perfecting the hardware underneath the hood.