Instant Karma: GM Suspends Sales of Its First Model Without CarPlay Due to Software Issues

The carmaker promised a significantly upgraded experience, trying to justify its decision by pointing to the Android Automotive feature lineup. GM said AAOS offers features that wouldn't otherwise be available on Android Auto and CarPlay due to the limited integration into the vehicle.

Despite the criticism, the stubborn carmaker didn't give up on its decision. The Chevy Blazer EV launched as the first car without CarPlay and Android Auto, spearheading a strategy that would eventually leave all new GM models without the two systems by 2035 (the carmaker plans to move to zero-emission vehicles exclusively by the middle of the next decade, making CarPlay's and Android Auto's days numbered).

General Motors learned the hard way that karma isn't always a nice lady, so the Blazer EV has been plagued with issues ever since the first model rolled off the assembly lines.

People are complaining of software problems all over the web, and reviewers in the States have come across ridiculous problems that left them stranded in the middle of nowhere with non-working cars. All due to software problems, sometimes related to the infotainment system.

The carmaker had no other option than to admit in a statement released a few hours ago that it needs to release a fix to the Blazer EV to improve its software side. As a result, it's taking "a brief pause on new deliveries," meaning that if you expected a Blazer EV, you'll have to wait a bit longer until the patch is ready.

GM uses the typical PR language and tries to downplay the problems. The company says that only "a limited number of customers" have encountered what it describes as "software-related quality issues." Chevrolet says it'll contact owners and discuss the details to schedule the update, though it's unclear if the vehicle requires a visit to the dealership for the patch.

General Motors sidesteps all the important questions and doesn't reveal how many cars are impacted by these mysterious "software-related issues." Judging from the posts published all over the web in the last few weeks, the number could be significant, and it could be the reason that made the carmaker suspend sales.

Customers have been complaining of Blazer issues starting from day one after getting the car. Someone on eBay says a Blazer shipped on December 12 already had the engine light turned on twice. Three times, the car refused to shift into park.

Someone else reveals a horror experience that started shortly after getting the Blazer. The car was serviced for a software update after receiving a service high voltage system warning. The vehicle also hit infotainment issues, so the Chevy dealer decided to service the car for another software update. The infotainment system eventually fried and had to be fully replaced, with the owner claiming that the heat also stopped working. The dealership eventually decided to replace the car with a new Blazer, providing the customer with the demo model until the replacement arrives (it'll now take a bit longer, considering the shipping pause).

Another early Blazer EV adopted took to reddit to reveal that their car was in the shop for almost four weeks due to an HVAC-related problem. The dealer couldn't even provide ETA information to let the customer know when the replacement part could arrive, so their car is sitting in the dealer's parking lot without a timeline as to when it could get back on the road.

Meanwhile, General Motors can't stop adding fuel to the fire, with a company executive recently claiming that one of the reasons for dropping Android Auto and CarPlay was their safety. The statement indicated that Android Auto and CarPlay are buggy systems that sometimes force drivers to pick up their phones, taking their eyes off the road. GM eventually retracted the statement, claiming that it values its collaboration with Apple and Google and that, in fact, Android Auto and CarPlay help improve the driver's safety.

General Motors won't backtrack on its decision to block Android Auto and CarPlay, betting big on Android Automotive in the long term. While the carmaker says its goal is to provide customers with an upgraded experience, the switch to Android Automotive also paves the way for a subscription-based model that would eventually allow it to transform the infotainment into a money-making machine.

GM's plan isn't working as expected, and all these software-related issues could push even more disgruntled customers to Ford. It's what GM's rival hopes to happen in the first place, as CEO Jim Farley has become increasingly active on social media, trying to let everybody know that Ford will stick with Android Auto and CarPlay, essentially providing customers with what its fellow competitor has already ditched.