2013 OEM stereo bluetooth call quality issues
 

I have a '13 with the factory touchscreen stereo (pioneer axcp-q14u) and the sound quality when making phone calls using the bluetooth is terrible. I've tried multiple phones and tested it in areas where I have good service. The people I talk to say they can hear me fine, but it frequently cuts out and sounds like we have a bad connection.

What's especially strange is that playing music over the bluetooth sound perfectly fine, so it's definitely and issue with the stereo and not the phones, but it's specific to making calls.

Trying to avoid dropping hundreds of bucks on a new stereo on my weekend/track car but it's very annoying.

Anyone else experience this and know a fix? Searched around and couldn't really find anything.

I've had similar issues and eventually replaced it with Sony XAV-AX1000, immediately noticed better sound and it has CarPlay which was half of the reason why I got it.

I can vouch for this issue too. I "upgraded" from the base stock one and the sound during calls are horrid. No idea on a fix. I just have to use speaker phone sometimes and it's annoying because I can still barely hear them lol.

The factory stereo only works well with iPhones. Even then it has its issues connecting.
The proper fix is a new stereo with Apple/android car play.

A simple yet costly upgrade but well worth it in the long run.