I recently purchased a new 2019 Chevy Malibu equipped with the Android Auto head unit and have encountered a frustrating problem with Google Maps. When using my Samsung Galaxy S9+ with the original Samsung USB cable, the location in Google Maps on the head unit becomes erratic, jumping around every second. This issue makes navigation impossible as the system constantly reroutes, even when driving straight. Interestingly, restarting my phone while still connected to the car temporarily resolves the problem. I never experienced this on my previous 2017 Malibu, and my phone functions perfectly when not connected to the car. This situation raises questions about potential software or system programming within the 2019 Chevy Malibu that might be influencing the Android Auto performance, possibly even related to how the car program cars‘ systems interact with external devices.
To troubleshoot, I’ve already taken standard steps such as reinstalling the Android Auto app on my phone, ensuring power saving mode is disabled, and verifying that the head unit is updated to the latest firmware. Despite these efforts, the problem persists. To further investigate, I also tested my girlfriend’s Samsung Galaxy S9+, and it exhibited the exact same location jumping behavior when connected to my 2019 Malibu’s Android Auto system.
Seeking assistance, I took my car to the dealership. Initially, they were unable to pinpoint the cause and provided me with a rental car, a 2019 Equinox, while they investigated. During this time, I tested Google Maps with Android Auto in the rental Equinox, and it worked flawlessly without any location issues. This comparison strongly suggests that the problem is not with my phone itself, but rather specific to my 2019 Chevy Malibu. This points towards a potential malfunction or misconfiguration within the vehicle’s systems, possibly linked to the car’s internal programming or the way it interfaces with Android Auto.
Further research led me to discover that Google Maps can detect and utilize a vehicle’s GPS antenna if available. This made me wonder if the GPS antenna in my 2019 Chevy Malibu might be the underlying cause of the issue. Perhaps there is an issue with the antenna itself or its connection to the Android Auto system, leading to the inaccurate location data.
Upon retrieving my car from the dealership, I learned they were unable to replicate the issue. They tested with an older Galaxy S5 (using a MicroUSB connector) and reported no problems with Google Maps through Android Auto. The dealership concluded that the issue was likely due to phone incompatibility and stated they could not offer further assistance.
Unfortunately, this leaves me back at square one. If anyone has encountered a similar Google Maps location jumping issue in a 2019 Chevy Malibu or has any suggestions on how to proceed with troubleshooting or finding a solution, your input would be greatly appreciated. It remains unclear whether this is a software glitch, a hardware malfunction related to the GPS antenna, or a deeper incompatibility issue possibly stemming from the car’s programming.
