Hands Free Phone Mic - quality / performance / position, is unacceptable.

[John Vardy]

I believe many more owners have this problem than they actually realise. - (Please stick with this to the bottom of this post)
In my case, I can hear who I am talking to on hands free phone perfectly clearly though the car system speakers, but the recipient struggles to hear me most of the time.
I use my phone on hands free frequently and this issue is seriously spoiling my enjoyment of the vehicle.
I received my car in October 2023 in the UK and this was a problem from day one. People who I were talking to initially didn't tell me how bad the reception was for them and the novelty soon wore off. I find my self semi shouting at the overhead panel to make my self heard.
Reported to the dealer many times but Ineos don't give them any fixes or any true acknowledgement that its is a know problem. I have spoken to Ineos Help Line several times direct on the problem and all they have ever done is refer me back to the dealer, who's hands are tied.
After checking with as may people I know well enough, how bad this is whist on the phone with them, it confirmed my theory - try it yourself !....remember it fools you by you herding them perfectly well.
Summary of the problem and my findings

• With the engine running various sound is picked by the microphone whist in use
• Phone microphone is located behind the perforations in the overhead panel
• Microphone position under the panel exposes it to a void up to the roof steel panel and has direct contact to any noise generated by -
  • the engine and powertrain via the body work construction.
    • call recipients can hear the turbo spooling up from low revs, the same noise you can hear with the drivers window down on right hand drive cars from the engine air intake in the right hand wing (fender)
  • wind noise from the safari window next to the overhead panel, which increase with vehicle speed.
• The microphone picks up an electronic interference with the engine off, ignition on and vehicle stationary.

I have suggested to the dealer that -

• a better quality noise canceling microphone is required and possibly repositioning.
• sound insulation material is needed between the overhead panel / microphone and the steel roof body panel and the safari windows side inner sections.

All I am trying to do here is get a fix as for me its ruining a great vehicle

 

[chrsbe]

Mine is also crap. I found an easy way to test it is using a recorder app. I have tested two Grenadiers with two phones. Just to make sure it is not my phone. The other grenadier seems much better than mine. Engines not running. So what do you think it could be? Is the microphone easy accessible? Have you taken off the panel? Maybe it can be replaced?

 

[Mitchell300]

+1, same problem.
Have spoke to dealer but no fix at present, only told that Ineos will have to source a suitable replacement microphone. This was only from the dealer not Ineos.

 

[dannypalm]

I have the same issue - everyone I speak to can hear themselves. Any suggestions on replacements?

 

[Jackattack13]

Same issue. Everyone complains they cannot hear me. Pretty disappointing to hear I am not the only one. Seems like a microphone sensitivity setting to me. Or add some noise reduction to the software.

 

[DaveB]

I have two different model iPhones and have been using the handsfree for 6 months to call customers and family.
When this issue first came up months ago I was concerned so checked with the people I was calling.
All said no problems at all.
To be honest I didn't know where the microphone was so generally just talked to the windscreen.
I always close the windows and Safari window when making a call and have done the same on all previous vehicles.
Main issue I have with the phone system is running two different phones for work and private.
My previous vehicle used to automatically change to my personal phone after hours and on weekend when I didn't have my work phone in the car.
On the GRenadier I have to select them manually every time.

 

[Drifter]

Having recently collected my car, I am having the same issue. I can hear callers ok but all they hear is a terrible racket. Thought I was in a poor reception area, but checking my phone I had all bars.
Fortunately I don't use it often, but it needs to be fixed in case of an emergency.

 

[mikeonline]

yes its bad, we need a free recall here too, like for HVAC and tpms

 

[rovie]

I have no complaints about the quality of the hands-free system. I make frequent calls and have always consciously asked the other person whether and how they understand me. The answer each time was: clearly and distinctly.

 

[mikeonline]

I have no complaints about the quality of the hands-free system. I make frequent calls and have always consciously asked the other person whether and how they understand me. The answer each time was: clearly and distinctly.

whats the manufacture month/year of your car?

 

[Simon C]

I have this too, tested it many times by calling my 2nd phone and leaving a voicemail - it sounds terrible and is inaudible over about 30mph.

Agent is aware and says that Ineos is aware also. They tried a disconnect re-connect of the microphone which apparently sometimes works - it didn't for me.

Next plan is to order a replacement module but even that doesn't necessarily fix it apparently.

Ineos are aware of it........no doubt just hiding

 

[Jackattack13]

This is one of those issues that I am shocked they weren't aware of. All of the testing and hours spent in these vehicles before release and they didn't have a SINGLE issue? Or was this one of those, "yeah, there is a problem....but will they even notice?" LOL

 

[Skydance]

Seems to be some variance of both good and bad. Mines crystal clear and my grenadier is one of the earlier ones May 23. Could it be interference from dashcams and ADAS cameras in the windscreen? Just a guess.

 

[pete54]

I had the microphone replaced yesterday as apparently I sounded like a dalek in a goldfish bowl. I haven’t had the chance to try it out much yet but it does seem to have improved somewhat from the couple of calls made. Fingers crossed this has done the trick as I had simply stopped using the phone - not ideal when you’re running a business!

Incidentally- I asked the mechanic to take a look at the heat shields as there was a fairly loud vibration noise at idle. He kindly fitted some round fixing clips that quite possibly were never fitted on assembly. Now no noise at idle and 1800 rpm noise also significantly improved.

 

[Eric]

I had the microphone replaced yesterday as apparently I sounded like a dalek in a goldfish bowl. I haven’t had the chance to try it out much yet but it does seem to have improved somewhat from the couple of calls made. Fingers crossed this has done the trick as I had simply stopped using the phone - not ideal when you’re running a business!

Incidentally- I asked the mechanic to take a look at the heat shields as there was a fairly loud vibration noise at idle. He kindly fitted some round fixing clips that quite possibly were never fitted on assembly. Now no noise at idle and 1800 rpm noise also significantly improved.

Just to confirm please, where exactly is the microphone, in the overhead panel?

 

[pete54]

Just to confirm please, we're exactly is the microphone, in the overhead panel?

Yes - in the overhead panel. I didn’t watch the surgery so can’t be more exact than that. It only took minutes to replace.

 

[Eric]

Yes - in the overhead panel. I didn’t watch the surgery so can’t be more exact than that. It only took minutes to replace.

Thanks, wasn't quite sure.

 

[Skydance]

I had the microphone replaced yesterday as apparently I sounded like a dalek in a goldfish bowl. I haven’t had the chance to try it out much yet but it does seem to have improved somewhat from the couple of calls made. Fingers crossed this has done the trick as I had simply stopped using the phone - not ideal when you’re running a business!

Incidentally- I asked the mechanic to take a look at the heat shields as there was a fairly loud vibration noise at idle. He kindly fitted some round fixing clips that quite possibly were never fitted on assembly. Now no noise at idle and 1800 rpm noise also significantly improved.

Would be great if you could take a picture of the clips and location. Thanks

 

[CHM]

I have two different model iPhones and have been using the handsfree for 6 months to call customers and family.
When this issue first came up months ago I was concerned so checked with the people I was calling.
All said no problems at all.
To be honest I didn't know where the microphone was so generally just talked to the windscreen.
I always close the windows and Safari window when making a call and have done the same on all previous vehicles.
Main issue I have with the phone system is running two different phones for work and private.
My previous vehicle used to automatically change to my personal phone after hours and on weekend when I didn't have my work phone in the car.
On the GRenadier I have to select them manually every time.

Don't take this the wrong way, nut you have "first world problems".

 

[CHM]

M2. Cannot use phone when driving at speed. (100km)