J.D. Power’s recent 2021 U.S. Initial Quality Study has revealed that smartphone connectivity is the most common problem cited by new vehicle owners.

The company determines initial quality by measuring the number of problems experienced per 100 vehicles during the first 90 days of ownership. This year, Ram surprised many as it was the best-placed automaker with a reported 128 PP100. What is equally as intriguing as Ram taking out top spot is how prevalent infotainment-related issues have become.

According to the study, one in four of all problems cited by new-vehicle owners were in the infotainment category. In addition, and for the first time since 2011, voice recognition was no longer the top problem cited by new vehicle owners. Instead, the top complaint this year related to Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. Problems appear to have been exacerbated by the growing prevalence of wireless systems.

Read More: RAM Takes Out Top Honors In J.D. Power’s Initial Quality Study

“Owners want wireless connectivity, and the industry has responded,” vice president of automotive quality at J.D. Power, Dave Sargent, said. “However, this has created a bigger technical challenge for both automakers and tech companies. Automakers generally are the ones facing the wrath of owners, but this is definitely a shared problem. Owners don’t care who’s at fault – they just want their phone and their vehicle to talk to each other.”

J.D. Power’s U.S. Initial Quality Study is now in its 35th year and in 2021, was based on responses from 110,827 purchasers and lessees of new 2021 model year vehicles surveyed early during their ownership. The study consists of 223 questions organized into nine vehicle categories: infotainment, features, controls and displays, exterior, driving assistance, interior, powertrain, seats, driving experience, and climate.

“Owners are caught in the middle when vehicle and phone technologies don’t properly connect,” added Sargent. “This year there are many examples of smartphone technology not working as intended in new vehicles. With more vehicles being fitted with the wireless technology owners want, the study reveals an increase in connectivity problems between smartphones and vehicles, leaving many owners unhappy.”