NHTSA Complaint #11679614 — 2023 NISSAN SENTRA

When my iPhone is connected to Apple CarPlay in my vehicle, a loud static sound occurs during phone calls, and music playing. This static causes the audio to cut in and out, making conversations unintelligible. Because of this, I am unable to safely use the hands-free calling feature, which forces me to either end the call or take my hands off the steering wheel and eyes off the road to put the call on the phone’s speaker. The problem is frequent, occurring multiple times per day. The only temporary fix is to physically unplug the CarPlay cable and plug it back in, which is dangerous to do while driving. This is a serious safety issue because it defeats the purpose of hands-free communication, which is required in many states to comply with distracted driving laws. Other owners of the same make and model have reported experiencing the same CarPlay static and call dropouts, suggesting this is not an isolated case but a possible defect. If the vehicle is to be driven safely and legally, the hands-free calling function must work without forcing the driver to take unsafe actions. This issue should be investigated as it creates a significant risk of driver distraction and potential accidents.