Review Insights · App Store
Carista OBD2
Prizmos · 3,778 ratings · ★ 4.6
4.6
★★★★★
3,778 ratings
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Top complaints - extracted from 74 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"
27 negative reviews mention this · 36% of all complaints
★★★★★ "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." - Steve6621
2
"carista"
14 negative reviews mention this · 19% of all complaints
★★★★★ "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 compa…" - GeoOrwell
3
"money"
13 negative reviews mention this · 18% of all complaints
★★★★★ "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." - Steve6621
4
"waste"
12 negative reviews mention this · 16% 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
5
"features"
11 negative reviews mention this · 15% of all complaints
★★★★★ "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." - Steve6621
6
"refund"
11 negative reviews mention this · 15% of all complaints
★★★★★ "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 o…" - seemework
7
"doesn"
10 negative reviews mention this · 14% of all complaints
★★★★★ "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." - usolim
8
"vehicle"
10 negative reviews mention this · 14% of all complaints
★★★★★ "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." - NoirMonkey
9
"device"
10 negative reviews mention this · 14% 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
10
"work"
10 negative reviews mention this · 14% of all complaints
★★★★★ "garbage. doesn't work at all." - samk622
11
"service"
9 negative reviews mention this · 12% of all complaints
★★★★★ "1 month subscription still auto renews. Helpful app, but misleading 1 month subscription. They will auto renew it. Customer service is only available M-F." - millerda68
12
"purchased"
9 negative reviews mention this · 12% of all complaints
★★★★★ "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 o…" - seemework
📋 All 74 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").
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.
BEWARE
Before buying a subscription for this app beware you have to additionally buy their scan tool in order to get full functionality of the app. The recurring subscription is only a small part of full cost needed. Without their scan tool you only get minimal functionality and only with a select number of car brands. There are better and cheaper options available
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
Was great - and now they want hardware $$$ too. 🤦🏻♂️
I loved this app, and even bought the year full subscription multiple years. Now you have to buy and adaptor from them too, even though it literally worked weeks ago without it. Absolute garbage; really relied on this app to do deep scans and now it’s a hunk of junk for the next six months remaining on my (now cancelled) subscription. Exceptionally disappointed in this change - avoid!
Too Pushy
The app does what it says but it’s constantly (every 2-3 seconds) popping up with their promotional offer to the premium version. It’s exhausting.
Fake advertising.
The 50% off app service is everywhere! $29 for 12 months subscription
All social medias including here on Apple store! However it’s not available.
I have emailed, sent messages in instagram.
All I receive is some automated message telling me it will be fixed.
It was never fixed!
Fake advertisement
All social medias including here on Apple store! However it’s not available.
I have emailed, sent messages in instagram.
All I receive is some automated message telling me it will be fixed.
It was never fixed!
Fake advertisement
Paid for the first month
And i will be dropping it now. Every screen you come too a pop up jumps and asks you to upgrade even tho i already paid. Every single screen. Get out my face. Bye Felisha.
Lost another customer
And I’ll be telling everyone I know to avoid the stupid Evo adapter too. The app and functionality was great when I didn’t need a subscription (why now when I only need to access once every 6 months or so?) and it supported the OBDLink MX+ for vehicle mods. Not any longer. Garbage bait and switch, rather than grandfathering in existing customers, you’ve decided to be greedy.
No Honda Support? No thank you!
You need to understand that only a handful of vehicle manufacturers are supported by Carista (Honda, Acura, etc. are NOT supported).
Removed app soon after installing it
Removed app soon after installing it
Wasted money, time and Terribke customer service
Don’t waste your time on this app or device. The website will Lie to you about available features for your vechicle. Then fail to refund your money, even when said device is returned. Save yourself and get a mechanic.
Poor support Don’t waste your money.
I’ve asked a question about not being able to make changes using my OBDLink Mx+. Told it’s compatible and intend them screenshots showing how it directs me to purchase their obd adaptor. So I send another message for them to ignore me and close the ticket. Waste of money. Don’t buy their crao.
Bait and Switch
I got this app a while ago and it was handy for resetting codes. They recently changed it so now you have to pay some ridiculous subscription fee to do that. Save your money.
+ 24 more in the clipboard copy
Sentiment summary
90%
Positive (4-5★)
2%
Neutral (3★)
8%
Negative (1-2★)