[alepper]

Hi everyone. I am currently working at a local Honda service center in Northern California, this issue appears to be across the board with the 26 model year CRV. There are no notes from Honda relating to a potential fix yet with this. With what I have seen so far, I am expecting Apple or Honda to release a Carplay/infotainment software update in the near future. Try to take into account that software problems should be expected with anything new, even if its not a new car you are getting, but a phone, tablet, or even something as serious as a home security system. Anything that is receiving Over The Air (OTA) updates are due to definitely be improved in the future. Thank you!
[/QUOT
Thank you!!! Best information I have been able to get from anyone at Honda!!!

 

[storabi74]

Slight work around for at least hearing the text messages. This works in my 2026 CRV Hybrid Sport-L. I set Siri to automatically announce my messages as they arrive, and the system does that just fine. I still can’t respond to them, it says “what do yo…..” and cuts off when I try. If I turn off auto-announce and tap the message when it pops up on screen, I go back to hearing the first two words before it cuts out. If you want to try it: Settings -> Apple Intelligence & Siri -> Announce Notifications-> CarPlay, then toggle on Announce Messages.

I mostly drive alone, so at least I can hear the messages as they arrive, but this is less than optimal when I do have passengers.

I demo’d this at the dealer yesterday and they are holding to “with newer models it sometimes takes all the apps a bit to catch up. it should resolve in an update or two.”

 

[Purduepurdy]

Corded works fine till they get it fixed. Be sure to remove the CarPlay connection under settings though as it will try and still prioritize a wireless connection. Read somewhere else a wireless dongle will work as well.

 

[FourDogDesigns]

I’m having the same issues. I’m also having a problem with the wireless charging… my iPhone 12 mini triggers a message that metal between the phone and the charge pad will overheat the phone… but the phone is made of metal. So I’ve covered the wireless charger with a napkin and I just keep the phone plugged in.

You can power off the wireless charger. Just press/hold the charging indicator on the charging pad. Now you can leave your napkin at home.

I have the same issue with text playback and "metal between the phone and charge pad"

Brand new 2026 CRV Hybrid Sport-L . . . . . . NOT HAPPY !

 

[FourDogDesigns]

X

I don't want to be forced into buying a new phone just to have wireless text access in my brand-new car.

 

[Purduepurdy]

I don't want to be forced into buying a new phone just to have wireless text access in my brand-new car.

This has nothing to do with the phone hardware. I have an iPhone 16 and it works fine in my wife’s 2024. It has to do with the new 2026 non-touring head units integrating with Apple CarPlay in general.

 

[Purduepurdy]

A PSA to the thread, supposedly iOS 26 did not fix the issue. Just read this on a Facebook group.

 

[FourDogDesigns]

I really like this workaround until I realized I’ll have to be returning the “read upon receipt” setting every time I get in and out of my car

I pulled out the dongle from my old, retired CRV, got a USB A-C adapter and it started working no problem. Just a little extra wire clutter until Honda/Apple get the wireless feature fixed.

 

[rob.ski26]

This is the same for me. All I get from the local Honda dealer and Honda Corporate is finger pointing at Apple. Not even an apology for a brand new 40K vehicle without a fully functioning radio. It loses Bluetooth connection constantly. I was told the mid September apple update should fix it. Well, that didn’t work either. I’m so disappointed with Honda’s customer service. Steer clear of any new 2026 Honda vehicle!

 

[angimcandrews]

I NEARLY LOST MY MIND TODAY. For nearly 3 months I have been driving a brand new 2026 Honda CRV Trailsport Hybrid that doesn’t freaking work. (Actually for the first 28 days it sat at the dealership while I sought some type of solution. Silly me.) The infotainment center does not connect with my iphone (wired or wireless) so I can’t use my device hands-free in my brand new car. When I first purchased it (literally 63 miles on it) I tried to return it. They were going to charge me $7000 MORE than they gave me for my trade-in to get back into my old vehicle. No work had been done other than cleaning it. So then I tried to exchange it. They were going to charge me $2500 MORE than the upgrade price difference to move into a different vehicle. The dealership said they needed to make sure they realized “minimal loss”. My own personal loss was not an issue for them. These issues are not my fault. I didn’t do anything to cause the problem. More importantly, these issues are not unique to my vehicle.

Nearly all 2026 Honda CRVs are having this issue when interacting with an iPhone. And Honda continues to sell them. About three times a week, the entire display completely blacks out while I’m driving my vehicle and I don’t even have access to a map, a radio . . . Nothing for about a half an hour each time. It does not functionally read a text message to me - it reads the first syllable, then fades. Many times I cannot functionally send a text message either. God forbid I would be listening to a podcast when a text message is delivered to my phone, in which case the whole thing freezes for 5 to 10 minutes and then once again, I can do nothing. If I voice text, about every 10th message, it repeats the same words over and over and over again. Now this is where it gets really special. Starting a few days ago, the infotainment system does absolutely nothing other than play the radio. Not a single freaking thing! When I call Honda or read all the updates on the blog (because people all across the internet are talking about this issue), they say, “Sorry folks! Park’s closed!” Err wait . . . “Sorry, still no software upgrade.” There are no solutions. There’s no guidance or timeline on when this will be fixed.

One mechanic told me that sometimes software upgrades can take a really long time to fix. He offered an example, when this happened a few years ago with a Ridgeline camera, it took over a year for it to be resolved.” So today, as I was driving down the road in my 2026 Honda CRV with an infotainment center that functions like my old 1988 Volkswagen Fox (oh wait - I could consistently play the radio and a cassette tape in that thing), I picked up my phone to make a phone call. And then I got pulled over and ticketed for not driving hands-free. And that, my friends, is how I nearly lost my mind today.

 

[lowbar]

How does a Samsung Galaxy Android phone work the '26 CRV?

 

[angimcandrews]

I have read mixed reviews on Android. I have not tried one but some blogs indicate they work fine while others have said they have issues as well.

 

[Purduepurdy]

Find your Honda CRV settings find the CarPlay app in the settings and clear the cash it worked for me. I don’t have the exact steps.

Thanks for the worthless posts X3

 

[jleffingwell]

So I just downloaded IOS 18.7.1. Still no fix.

 

[nf1]

I also have the same issue with my 2026 CRV Ex-L. I emailed Honda and got a case number and contact with phone number. I have called several times a day and left messages. But no one has reached out or answered my calls. This is unacceptable. Someone needs to take responsibility for this. Really disappointed in Honda.

 

[Dumoch126]

Hi everyone. I am currently working at a local Honda service center in Northern California, this issue appears to be across the board with the 26 model year CRV. There are no notes from Honda relating to a potential fix yet with this. With what I have seen so far, I am expecting Apple or Honda to release a Carplay/infotainment software update in the near future. Try to take into account that software problems should be expected with anything new, even if its not a new car you are getting, but a phone, tablet, or even something as serious as a home security system. Anything that is receiving Over The Air (OTA) updates are due to definitely be improved in the future. Thank you!

Hi, have you heard any more information since you are working at a Honda dealership? I have the same issue with trying to listen to a message and the voice cutting out.

 

[AZgman]

I am not an Apple fan, but still, CarPlay should work without question. I have a 2025 Civic Sport Touring with Google built-in and I had issues with that system "fighting" with Android Auto so I disabled Android Auto for my phone in the Civic infotainment system and now things are good. Honda needs to make better hires in their infotainment department.