Review Insights · App Store
Carista OBD2
Prizmos · 3,908 ratings · ★ 4.6
4.6
★★★★★
3,908 ratings
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Top complaints - extracted from 78 negative reviews
Recurring phrases mined from 1-2★ reviews. The bigger the percentage, the more users have the same problem. Fix the top 2-3 in your version and you have product-market fit on day one.
1
"subscription"
28 negative reviews mention this · 36% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Pure Money Grab. I have no idea if the 40 dollar reader works, because I would have to pay another 100 dollars for a subscription to actually read any of the codes. This is the textbook definition of an untrustworthy scam. Just save yourself the trouble and…" - JamesoftheJames
2
"money"
18 negative reviews mention this · 23% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Pure Money Grab. I have no idea if the 40 dollar reader works, because I would have to pay another 100 dollars for a subscription to actually read any of the codes. This is the textbook definition of an untrustworthy scam. Just save yourself the trouble and…" - JamesoftheJames
3
"features"
14 negative reviews mention this · 18% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Disappointed. This was a waste of money. Although it promises great hidden features for your car, be careful. Make sure your car can do what they promise. Mine did not. I was expecting to code 5 features that they said my car had. Only one worked." - talltommy
4
"waste"
13 negative reviews mention this · 17% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Disappointed. This was a waste of money. Although it promises great hidden features for your car, be careful. Make sure your car can do what they promise. Mine did not. I was expecting to code 5 features that they said my car had. Only one worked." - talltommy
5
"carista"
13 negative reviews mention this · 17% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Was working, purchased a year now its not.. I have a veepeak bluetooth scanner tool. Carista used to work with it. Carista must have done an update that rendered my scanner useless. Regardless they got the money for the hear long subscription. Not happy. No recourse except loss of mo…" - MickyBlueEyes2000
6
"work"
12 negative reviews mention this · 15% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Pure Money Grab. I have no idea if the 40 dollar reader works, because I would have to pay another 100 dollars for a subscription to actually read any of the codes. This is the textbook definition of an untrustworthy scam. Just save yourself the trouble and…" - JamesoftheJames
7
"refund"
12 negative reviews mention this · 15% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Junk. Claims it does all these things but after you purchase the actual thing you have to purchase their outrageously priced app. Then when it doesn’t work because they claim it only works with certain vehicles they won’t refund your money becaus…" - Weazzal3376
8
"vehicle"
11 negative reviews mention this · 14% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Junk. Claims it does all these things but after you purchase the actual thing you have to purchase their outrageously priced app. Then when it doesn’t work because they claim it only works with certain vehicles they won’t refund your money becaus…" - Weazzal3376
9
"doesn"
10 negative reviews mention this · 13% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Junk. Claims it does all these things but after you purchase the actual thing you have to purchase their outrageously priced app. Then when it doesn’t work because they claim it only works with certain vehicles they won’t refund your money becaus…" - Weazzal3376
10
"device"
10 negative reviews mention this · 13% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Bait and switch, predatory developer. This program is not compatible with other devices. Don’t buy the app or subscription. Don’t waste your time on a product." - CitronSitizen
11
"year"
9 negative reviews mention this · 12% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Subscription fee to high for year. Remember to set to not auto renew" - entitydesigns
12
"does"
9 negative reviews mention this · 12% of all complaints
★★★★★ "Junk. Claims it does all these things but after you purchase the actual thing you have to purchase their outrageously priced app. Then when it doesn’t work because they claim it only works with certain vehicles they won’t refund your money becaus…" - Weazzal3376
📋 All 78 negative reviews
Every 1-2★ review we fetched. Use the copy button to grab them all for your own analysis (paste into ChatGPT/Claude with a prompt like "summarize core user problems, group by theme, ignore bugs, focus on missing features").
Pure Money Grab
I have no idea if the 40 dollar reader works, because I would have to pay another 100 dollars for a subscription to actually read any of the codes. This is the textbook definition of an untrustworthy scam. Just save yourself the trouble and buy a real tool for the store.
Subscription fee to high for year
Remember to set to not auto renew
Theft
After you buy the hardware you have to buy a subscription to use it. No good.
Баг
После подключения к OBD сканеру перестало откликаться приложение, ничего нельзя нажать, перезапуск не помогает.
Junk
Claims it does all these things but after you purchase the actual thing you have to purchase their outrageously priced app. Then when it doesn’t work because they claim it only works with certain vehicles they won’t refund your money because they are out of the states.
Don’t be fooled
Save your money. Buying this app is just the beginning. In most cases to use any of the features you have to buy their OBD tool. And even it’s highly likely you still won’t be able to access the advertised features. What they don’t disclose is that even tho your vehicle may be listed along with the features it’s supposed to have it’s highly unlikely it will work. It’s laughable to read the developers response to reviews about people should just contact them. Been there done that. Their typical response is auto makers have various versions of their software so not all features may work. Thanks for paying us you fools. Total lack of full disclosure. Buyer beware
Fails to clear codes
Paid full version, waste of money basic check engine lights fail to clear or reset.
Does not do what I need it to do.
Does not have the settings I need.
Price to features
60 bucks a year got basic diag and 2 to 3 bells and whistles. No monthly options so they can squeeze you every year rather than letting you pay 10 bucks for a month when you actually need to use it. Tossing this thing.
Was working, purchased a year now its not.
I have a veepeak bluetooth scanner tool. Carista used to work with it. Carista must have done an update that rendered my scanner useless. Regardless they got the money for the hear long subscription. Not happy. No recourse except loss of money. Unreal. How is this legal.
Money grab
Wasn’t satisfied with the app and options. They force you to buy a subscription to use addtl. features, otherwise it’s a $10 scan tool. Feels like a scam tool.
Bait and switch, predatory developer
This program is not compatible with other devices. Don’t buy the app or subscription. Don’t waste your time on a product.
Thieves
Years ago bought the obd2 dongle and now it doesn’t support with the updates on the app. You have to pay more to be able to use it. This is a crooked business strategy. Shame on you.
Very basic
By basic I mean look you have a vehicle. Anything else pay up. Lot of better options out there even free ones to consider.
One of my worst ever purchases
This device is completely useless unless you pay a monthly subscription, and the monthly subscription is completely unreasonably priced not to mention that it doesn’t really do the things that it advertises it will do. My only suggestion is do not buy this by something else. Anything else just not this.
garbage
doesn't work at all.
15 a month
Charge you 15 a month to lock and changes made which is the only reason anyone buys this thing
Фуфло
Фуфло безпонтовое
Buyer beware
I used this for my 2018 Toyota Avalon and it worked beautifully. I still had the device so I resubscribed for my new F - 150. When I tried to customize the truck, it required that I purchase a new device, even though it purports to be compatible with the old device, which Carista still sells. What good is the subscription and the device, if it doesn’t allow me to customize my truck? So the subscription was a waste of $15 and there is no way to contact Carista directly. so the purchase of the device and subscription is a complete gamble. I lost. Others won. But buyer beware.
Beware of pricing
Used one time for 9.99 and it didn't actually reset my service light. Then it asks for 14.99 to show me and take care of other issues except that once I paid that fee there were no other issues. I just paid that fee to uncover redacted text that had nothing worthwhile and still did not clear my service light! not good business practices.
Exceedingly frustrated
I bought two Carista adapters over the years. They worked on my Toyota Prius. Now my 2009 is no longer supported! The car didn’t change- the app developer decided to end my compatibility. Plus when I try to log into my account, I never get the verification code. I guess I don’t exist. Just like Carista no longer exists in my considerations for products.
Doesn’t work after last update
Very bad, no reset oil no reset inspection
I DO NOT RECOMMEND PURCHASING A SUBSCRIPTION!!!
You buy a subscription and nothing changes, everything is the same as in the free version!
F150 Ford Don't Bother
Purchased this device for claimed function modifications on a 2025 F150. It does not do most of what it claims it can do on the F150 per the website. I requested a refund but was told i don't qualify because i submitted it on the 15th day of a 14 day refund policy. DON'T make the same mistake I did if you own an F150 steer clear.
Bait and Switch - Terrible Practice
Update - disappointing standard response from the developer that shows they didn’t even read what I put below.
I had full functionality with the Carista OBD2 tool I had previous purchased AND paid several years of subscription on. Now I can’t use it for almost everything I had been able to because you want me to buy your new scanner? Why, so you can do this again to me when you release another? I’d rather spend hundreds purchasing a legitimate scanner that doesn’t connect to my phone if it’s going to be like that. What a disappointment that you’ve done business like this.
I had full functionality with the Carista OBD2 tool I had previous purchased AND paid several years of subscription on. Now I can’t use it for almost everything I had been able to because you want me to buy your new scanner? Why, so you can do this again to me when you release another? I’d rather spend hundreds purchasing a legitimate scanner that doesn’t connect to my phone if it’s going to be like that. What a disappointment that you’ve done business like this.
One time purchase
Why can’t I just buy a permanent license to use? The whole subscription model for something like this just seems like a scummy thing to do.
Don’t waste money
Went on their website before buying to see if it worked with my fj cruiser for the hidden features/bidirectional and it showed it did and it does not. I have a OBDLink mx+ and it will
Not give me a option for refund
Not give me a option for refund
Pop up ads
They give you pop up ad notifications. The entire app is an ad for a service. Even if you subscribe you still get the ads. This company sucks.
Buggy. Freezes. Useless.
Newest update completely broke the app. Can rarely get past login screen. Says “Loading” forever. Trying to restore subscription completely locks it up so stuck using free version despite paying for a year.
All hype not that useful painful refund
I purchased a yearly sub as was on sale and verified their return policy. Software has very few useful options and all can be set via existing software and test equipment I have. Requested a refund and still fighting with apple to get a refund.
Pro version does NOT have “additional features”
My refund was not granted buyer beware - the pro version does not have “additional features” like they advertise inside the app. The pro version simply allows you to save the customization settings, but it does NOT have “additional customization” options!
Unauthorized charge
Do not buy their tool or take a trial on this app. Apple will not refund a $16 charge after a week despite being in a supposedly 30 day trial. The app has minimal configuration options and is not worth a monthly subscription at all. Avoid this at all costs.
Greedy company
I used to love this app. I was able to customize my car’s options. One day, they release a new updated OBD dongle and now in order to continue using the same features I already have for years (already paid for) I now have to upgrade and pay $70+ for the new dongle that I don’t need. My originally purchased older version OBD dongle works fine.
Options unavailable even though website says they are
They list vehicles and what things can be changed on their website, but it's a generic list that doesn't apply to every model/trim package. The 2 things I really wanted to change on my 4Runner aren't listed as options once I hook up the scanner/app to my vehicle, but on the website it lists them as options. You really need to get into more detail on your site. Waste of time and money. Very disappointing.
Scam
Why would I pay $85 to have to go and pay an additional 59.99 a year to use the product. This is a scam.
Misleading Vehicle List
I purchased a year subscription after reading through the approved vehicle list and the specifics of what the app was capable of doing. Since my adapter (obdlink mx+) was list as compatible and has all of the necessary protocols I had no reason to believe it wouldn’t work on my Ford. FORScan Lite connects with no issue. Upon using the Carista app it prompted me to purchase their EVO adapter and would not connect. I request a partial refund from Carista was denied. I am sure the app would be fine, just beware it may not work with your vehicle, even if the vehicle list from their website says differently. So they note the EVO is required because it has MS-CAN, so does the OBDLink mx+. They are misleading and intentionally so and won’t even offer a partial refund (which is all I asked for). Definitely don’t be like me and buy the year optimistically, try the month to make sure it works as you would like.
Don’t waste your money or time!
DOES NOT WORK!
Дорого и мало ошибок видитToyota
Я ради интереса оплатил но, оно того не стоило. Во первых: Я понимаю, что для коммерческого использования например это нормальный ценник, но для пользователей которые запускают приложение хорошо если раз в месяц, это дорого. Сделали бы цену в зависимости от количества использований. Во вторых он читает очень мало ошибок из тех что есть Toyota RAV4 xa50. Функций тоже не много доступно. Ну и нафиг продлевать подписку при таком ценнике ? Вы сами мотивируете пиратство.
Из плюсов - приятный интерфейс.
Из плюсов - приятный интерфейс.
Didn’t work couldn’t get a refund
It wouldn’t recognize and recalibrate my electronic throttlebody. Customer service couldn’t issue a refund. No way to get back from Apple. A waste of money.
Useless App
This app is completely useless. Do not purchase!
Forced Terms
As a new user, I’m setting up an account. Like many pieces of software, it wants me to accept the terms and conditions. HOWEVER, the link to read the terms and conditions Carista expects me to agree to can’t be opened! Nothing happens when you click the link to read them. The only way to move forward using the app is to blindly agree to something that’s not readable! If they’re using/mining/selling my data and they haven’t made me aware of their intentions, that’s gross negligence and begging for legal trouble. Beware.
Have to pay to read codes
Have to pay to read codes
Extremely limited settings
2025 Prius with the “improved” Carista” OBD unit and app… there is basically no reason to purchase this other than maybe some very basic diagnostic things, other than that 99.9 percent of the settings can be found in the car settings. There are no settings for Toyotas safety features ie turn off on etc. while Toyota does provide the on off features in the car. In short I’m VERY. Disappointed in the features and I would steer clear of this app and OBD hardware at all costs until they provide a reason to buy it.
A waste of $65
Bought a year thinking you got a trial with that year, but nope. I’ve generally heard good things about the app but there’s no way I would have opted for a year and just payed month to month as I needed if the no trial was more obvious. I really just wanted to check it out and see what all it could do, but not for 365 days…. Yay /s.
Mazda CX-90
Leads you to believe you can customize since it’s a supported vehicle, then you try to customize and says unavailable.
Useless subscriptions.
This should not be a subscription based app to disable alerts after you’ve payed for the device. Charge me $100 total for one vehicle and I’m good. Uninstalling this now never to return
Buy device + subscribe???
After buying the odb2 reader, you basically have to subscribe to do anything useful. Spend the $15 monthly subscription to buy a better odb2 device that doesnt require subscriptions! Such a disappointment
Why the login
The product was great and it did what it was supposed to do. Now it requires a login to read odb2 codes ? Come on….
Unusable without Carista adapter
Despite saying my adapter is compatible with this app, Carista will not allow me to make any changes to my vehicle without there specific $70 adapter. It used to work completely fine but now they corner you without even disclosing that it no longer works. I want my money back. Completely useless and slimy.
Refund denied
I requested a refund after this app did not have some of the advertise features for my car, which is the only reason that I bought it. Apple denied my refund for $14. If you’re going to pay wall all the features before I can see if they work and then not give me a refund when they don’t maybe expect bad reviews
+ 28 more in the clipboard copy
Sentiment summary
90%
Positive (4-5★)
2%
Neutral (3★)
8%
Negative (1-2★)