2021 TRD OR Premium, and the most inconsistent android auto know to God.

I have a 2021 Tacoma TRD OR Premium and I'm having trouble with my Android Auto USB cable. I've gone through about 10 cables in the past three and a half years, and they all start to degrade after a few weeks or months.

This results in frequent disconnections, lagging input with delayed image processing for maps, and breaks in the audio. I've tried cheap and expensive cables with very similar results. I don't put much stress on the cable, no pulling or yanking. I've had pixel 7, pixel 8, and now pixel 9 Pro all in the past three and a half years as well and this has always been the case.

Recently I found a white USB C to USB iPhone cable and it was rock solid until my GF shoved her damn Stanley cup next to it and now it's just as terrible as the 100 other cables. I tried a Motorola Wireless adapter and it was amazing for a while then straight up quit working.

I'm to the point of ripping out the entire audio system but if I can keep from spending $2,000 on crutchfield.com I'd like to here someone's advice. I'm at my wits end after three years of this nonsense.

 

Sounds like you might have other culprits based on what you've tried. Maybe relocating the usb plug to a different location? Sounds like they're getting damage due to being hit/bent.

 

This is what I thought, however it's not braking connection at the USB plug, I can sit there and wiggle till I'm blue in the face, right at the plug and it's fine. The minute I even hit a bump, or move the wire itself, and the connection is broken. This has happened with EVERY cord, and EVERY phone combination, and even with iPhones. it's like the USB port can't power itself enough, and unfortunately I'm out of warranty for the plug.

The worst part about all of this is how inconsistent it is when I replace the cord. Sometimes it works for months after a new cord, sometimes the old cord starts working fine again. I've blown out the connectors with canned air, nothing is repeatable, and it's always sporadic and inconsistent.

 

Have you tried cleaning the port in your phone? Mine has previously gotten lint where it doesn't allow a proper connection. I changed a few cables before I took out the lint from the phone. I have a Samsung s24 and it clicks when I put the type c cable in there. I know there's lint issues when I don't feel the click.

 

FWIW, I have similar issues in my '22 OR, but perhaps not as bad as yours. Mine seems to misbehave shortly upon startup (erratically disconnecting), and seems to stay connected after the first five or so disconnects. Also considering a replacement audio system, but considering one of those available at Trail Grid Pro.
If you find a solution, I would be curious to know about it.

 

For anyone who finds this thread I have two things I can say worked for me.

$57 MSXTTLY 2in1 Wireless Carplay Adapter & Android Auto Wireless Adapter, 2 in 1 Auto Car Play Wireless Dongle for OEM Wired Carplay/Android Auto Car with iPhone iOS 12+ / Android 11+

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DKSH9ZD1 this adapter, whom someone on reddit recommended has been going strong for a week now. That POS Motorola one, failed on me in like a week, never was right and kinda weird tos setup. This plugs in, you connect to it once, and your good to go forever.

Also I cleaned my charging port with a pick and a glasses cleaner wipe wrapped around the pick, I also cleaned out the USB port on the truck, and the ports on the wire I was using. All of this prior to getting the adapter. This seemed to have been my main issue as wired functioned find after that until I ditched it for a wireless solution (DO IT, SO MUCH BETTER)

 

so your dirty phone was the problem?
what did the dealer say when you took it in?

 

Appreciate the recommendation!

 

I never took it to the dealer, just asked around here and on Reddit. I'm not 100% sure but immediately after cleaning everything the incrementally disconnecting Android Auto went away afterwards.