Touchscreens may look modern and minimal, but many drivers are officially over them. 

The 2025 J.D. Power U.S. Initial Quality Study shows that infotainment systems, particularly those tied to touchscreen-only controls, remain the single most frustrating part of owning a new car. That frustration is only growing, despite modest gains in overall vehicle quality this year.

More than 92,000 new car drivers were surveyed after 90 days of ownership, and infotainment complaints topped the charts yet again

Owners say they’re tired of having to swipe through layered menus just to adjust the air or open the glove box. The issue isn’t just about aesthetics or convenience, either. It’s also about safety. The problem is so persistent that drivers are starting to push back in ways automakers can’t ignore.

J.D. Power’s data shows that touchscreens have morphed into a “catch-all drawer” of modern cars. Instead of just managing music and navigation, screens are now responsible for climate settings, drive modes, garage door openers, and even seat functions. 

The more tasks are pushed onto screens, the more drivers complain about delayed responses, glitchy interfaces, and increased distraction behind the wheel

Some countries are stepping in. The U.K. has begun to evaluate restrictions on touchscreen functionality while driving. Norway has gone further, introducing fines when drivers are caught fumbling with infotainment controls. It’s a growing acknowledgment that too much tech, when poorly implemented, can become a safety risk.

Why the military and aviation sectors don’t use touchscreens should be a big fat clue to the car world

The British Army once tried touchscreens in some armored vehicles but reversed course when studies showed they slowed down decision-making in critical moments. Soldiers needed tactile controls they could operate by feel without looking away from the battlefield. If a touchscreen is too distracting in a tank, trying to scroll through one during rush-hour traffic isn’t any better.

The aviation industry has long known this. That’s why cockpit layouts in commercial aircraft and helicopters still use physical switches, knobs, and levers for essential tasks. Pilots need to rely on muscle memory and minimal eye movement, especially under stress. And while touchscreens do exist in modern jets, they’re rarely used to control flight-critical systems. 

There’s a reason the climate control in a Boeing isn’t buried behind three swipe menus.

Automakers, meanwhile, seem stuck in a race to eliminate buttons entirely

While customers say they like the look of large center displays, that honeymoon fades quickly when the screen freezes or requires five taps to turn on defrost. Some brands are starting to rethink things. Hyundai, Volkswagen, and even Porsche have begun returning physical controls for common features.

Frank Hanley, who leads auto benchmarking at J.D. Power, said that bringing back buttons for basic functions would ease driver frustration and improve the ownership experience. Until more carmakers follow suit, many drivers will remain stuck with infotainment setups that feel more like a smartphone from 2011 than a useful driving aid.