Is Motorola's Wireless Android Auto Adapter As Bad as Long-Term Users Claim?

AAWireless remains the device that started it all, while Motorola is known as the company that helped expand the product category thanks to Google's backing.

The MA1 was in hot demand in its first months on the market when it was nearly impossible to get your hands on it. Motorola had a hard time aligning the production with the demand, and every time the device showed up in stock somewhere, it was sold out in minutes.

The stock issues have already been resolved, so you can now buy the MA1 with next-day delivery in the United States. It costs only $60.96 thanks to a massive 32% discount.

However, one of our readers recently reached out to me following a previous piece where I highlighted another massive discount for the MA1. They claimed Motorola's isn't the best choice from a stability and long-term reliability perspective, as they purchased two adapters, and both stopped working after a few months.

Our reader pointed me to the Amazon review section, where buyers complain of similar issues. In every case where customers ended up with broken adapters, the issue appeared after a few months, with the MA1 no longer turning on and connecting to the head unit and the smartphone. Several people complain of overheating, but it's unclear if the excessive heat is related to the fatal bug eventually encountered by all these users.

Coincidentally, a recent discussion on reddit also highlights MA1's poor long-term reliability. The device dies after only a few months, though I also see people who claim the adapter still works properly after one year. The MA1 seems to offer mixed performance to buyers worldwide, and while people experiencing issues are typically the most vocal, it's very clear the adapter could be suffering from a hardware issue that Motorola must investigate.

I also own the MA1 but never experienced overheating or connection problems. The device still works, but I must add that I only use it on rare occasions.

These adapters have become very popular lately because they help users get rid of cables. In the Android Auto world, cables often cause problems, starting with broken connectivity and ending with random disconnects and features not working correctly. As a result, switching to a wireless connection is a way to get a more reliable experience with Android Auto.

Motorola has never commented on these problems, but according to the official website, which still sells the device at $89.99, the adapter comes with a one-year warranty in the United States and two years in Europe (as requested by the EU). Theoretically, if the device stops working before the warranty, you can have it replaced at no cost.

If you bought the MA1 and want to share your experience with us, you can post your message in the box after the jump. I'd love to hear about you on this topic, especially as the demand for wireless Android Auto adapters is already at record levels.

I have also reached out to Motorola for a statement and will update the article when I hear back.