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Getting "Vehicle phone requires service message"

162K views 248 replies 96 participants last post by  Raelyce1 
#1 ·
I have a one month old 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland. Starting two days ago, I get "Vehicle phone requires service. Please contact your dealer" when I start the car. Has anyone else got this message? Is there a quick fix? Thank you.
 
#160 ·
Our 2014 Cherokee Limited just got out of the shop for the fourth time for this problem. They replaced the radio and I got about 10 miles before the message came on again. Now we're waiting on another part, a body module, to come in. They say it will 2 weeks to get the part. It took 2 weeks to get the new radio! I'm really concerned about the dealership's knowledge level. On the service notes we got back yesterday, it said that the service manager paired his Galaxy S4 with our car and took it for a test drive?????? He reported everything was working fine?????? They keep saying that the Bluetooth was faulty and there has never been a problem with our paired personal phones. Another concern is that it takes them so long to get parts. I do most of the mechanical work on my 1998 Jag and I can get parts for it in 3 days sent to my house. It takes them 2-3 weeks to get one part.
 
#162 ·
Just an update on my situation: So the problem happens whenever I use the Jeep. About 20 minutes into the drive, the clock stops updating (suggesting to me that it has lost GPS signal), and about 30 minutes in I get the service phone message.

I took it to the dealer today. The tech looked at it and found the TSB that pointed to the software update that fixed this for most people. However, my software had already been updated. He reflashed it to be safe. It looked ok to him, so he told me to try driving home and let him know how it went. Not too far into my trip, the same issues came up. I took it back, and he said the same errors were being reported, namely communication errors to devices like the HVAC system.

He said he thought it needed a new radio, which he said was $2700. Really thankful I bought MaxCare now... However, he said that the radios were super backordered. He said he also thought that they were coming out with a new model. From what I've heard, the MY15s have a slightly different radio, but it would be interesting to see if that would work in a MY14. Sigh...

The manager, who is away at training, is supposed to call me back Monday. We'll see...
 
#163 ·
Your in the same boat as me. My radio is doing the same thing and the radio is on Backorder until June 26th (supposedly).
 
#166 ·
Bought Jeep Grand Cherokee in June 2014, it has 6800 miles on it. It is garaged for most of the year. SO far, two back shocks have been replaced and the radio started this "phone requires service" I use the car when I am in the states and luckily I know my way around. THe SatNav had me 300 miles away from where I was.

Car was in the dealers for 3 hours radio wouldn't take software. New Radio ordered said it would be a few days. However, logged onto Sirius account and they have changed the radio already, still the same issue..... they say they are replacing the radio completely.

Waiting on the phone call at the moment..not too good for a brand new car.....
 
#167 ·
I'm going to post this in a few different threads because it relates to a few different issues people had. Hopefully this will make it more likely someone having a similar problem will find the solution. This might be helpful if you are suffering from any of the following:

  • Lost GPS signal/map location incorrect
  • Inaccurate time on the clock
  • Inaccurate compass
  • "Vehicle Phone Requires Service" error
  • No Request Code displayed under System Information

I have a '14 Overland with 8.4AN/RA4 radio (Aug 1 build). The Jeep is driven a lot with service done at the dealer and all software up-to-date. In May, I purchased the map update from HERE and installed it with no problems. I drove the Jeep for about a month, including a long trip or two, with no issues. After about a month, I got the "Vehicle phone requires service" message. I didn't think much of it. Then, I noticed the clock stopped updating, with the time frozen at when the phone error displayed. I figured it was a glitch and, while driving, rebooted the radio using the Mute + Enter combo. The system rebooted, with the clock still off. My GPS location was incorrect. The best I could tell was that it had saved my location when I last turned off the Jeep, and put me there when it restarted. Then it used the dead reckoning (where it uses vehicle motion to keep you moving on the map when it can't get GPS signal, mainly for parking garages and tunnels) to keep trying to track me. These problems would persist until I let it sit for several hours. Even after a meal, it would still be off; usually it had to sit overnight.

So, basically, after 15-30 minutes of driving, I would develop the following symptoms:

  • Clock would stop updating
  • Loss of GPS signal resulting in map location getting progressively inaccurate
  • Incorrect compass direction
  • Phone error message and red light on mirror
I took the Jeep to the dealer and described my problem, first to the person at the desk and then (thankfully) to the tech who was most familiar with UConnect. They had this problem before almost exactly with many Jeeps, and a software update had been issued along with a TSB. However, my software was up-to-date. He reflashed the software and cleared our the errors, but the problem persisted. Over a 2-3 visits he determined the radio needed to be replaced. It helped that I took a picture of the phone error message to show him.



I suddenly became thankful that I opted for the MaxCare warranty. After some issues with my warranty (another post for another day), I got the radio replaced. Though I asked the dealership to do this, they didn't move my Sirius XM subscription or check to see if the map update would work.


I was able to move the Sirius subscription pretty easily with an Order number for the service visit. I was expecting that my original Activation Code for my maps wouldn't work on the new radio and it didn't. So, I prepared to follow the instructions again for getting the needed Request Code, but the space for the Request Code under System Info was blank. I tried asking at the dealership, but the UConnect guy wasn't familiar with the Request Code, must less what to do if it was missing. I asked if they could relfash it/make sure it was linked to the Jeep/VIN correctly and they said they did.


What ended up (surprisingly) being the most help was UConnect Customer Service. I sent an e-mail and the first response I got was assigning me a Case Manager. My CM responded very quickly. We interacted most through e-mail, but she did call once. I was very impressed that she was persistent through a complicated issue that most companies, I think, would have just given up on or tried passing me off. She interacted with HERE on my behalf to get a new Activation Code. I was very impressed with how helpful she was.


So...what ended up getting the maps working? Well, we needed a Request Code, but my Request Code display was blank. However, whenever I inserted the map update USB, a Requester Code was displayed. Despite the sightly different names, I think the two codes work essentially the same, maybe even the same code. They both change whenever you power cycle the radio. No idea why it wasn't displaying under System Info, but the Requester Code worked! My CM got me a new Activation Code based off of the Requester Code, and my maps activated and installed. :D:D:D And, the Request Code now even shows up in the right place!


I know this might seem like a minor thing and/or a bit obsessive on my part, but it was nice to have someone on FCA's side who was helpful, and I hope this can helpful to anyone else having any of these problems.


Thanks for reading!
 
#168 ·
I have a 2015 Jeep GC limited with about 7300 miles on it. I have the same problem as explained above, and I thank you jcil4ever for pointing me in a direction! I took it to the dealer once to have the issue fixed, but as luck would have it the navi was correct when I got there. I've had the car for almost 2 months and it has not been working ever since the dealer installed the RFH flash update and replaced the front driver's headlamp. I'm really annoyed and I expected more from a $38,000 car. This is my first American made car and I don't like feeling this kind of regret about it.
 
#171 ·
My wife first noticed this error yesterday. I wonder if it might be related to the phone since she has been driving it most of the time over the past month since I now work from home. I can only recall one time where the navigation was off by several miles. I may have to drive it some to see if I get the same message with my phone. She has an iPhone and I have an ancient Samsung Galaxy.
 
#173 ·
This started to happen to me just yesterday. Trying to setup a appointment, to get it looked at as well as some other issues. Curious to know, if you let the GC sit for a few hours, does it act normal again. Mines seems to be fine after long period of time, but after a few miles it flashes again. Also my LED in the rearview, goes red, when I stop moving it goes green.

Anyways, trying to get it looked at ASAP before we take her on her first road trip at the end of august.
 
#175 ·
Damn it, just got this yesterday on my way home from work. Everything works, but my Nav is off course. Tried a reset, and reset of the modem, nothing.

If the radio has to be replaced, do you think it'd be possible for the dealer to let me pay the difference and upgrade to the RA4 8.4AN? ( I know I know, I will ask them as well)
 
#176 ·
What is your model year and current radio software level?
 
#180 ·
After $127.62 diagnosis, they updated the software which I already have the latest it seem like it fixed the problem. But then when I tried to use the uconnect app from my phone and even from the website. The remote start, lock and unlock still would not work. But the GPS was back online. But the time would not update via satellite and the uconnect app symbol on the radio had no 3G sign or bars. Called Uconnect, they couldn't figure it out. Made a trouble ticket, waiting to here back from them. In the meantime went back inside to dealer. Tech comes back out, reset modem, now everything works. Showed me how to as well. Two hours later I'm getting the error message again. GPS and time work, but no remote start. Have to bring back tomorrow, any ideas guys and gals?


Sent from my iPhone using JeepGarage
 
#181 ·
I have been having this same radio message. Have taken my car in several times. Today, I was told they would have to reset everything on the radio which would cost 120.00 and may NOT even fix it. I didn't do it. We are going up the ladder of Chrysler to get this fixed. Our radio looses time constantly which must be because of this problem. Chrysler knows they have an issue but aren't fixing it. They need a fix or replace the radio!!
 
#183 ·
Re: Getting "Vehicle phone requires service message" SOLVED

My 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk was displaying the "Vehicle Phone Needs Service: Please Contact Dealer" Message for months and would lose time and my GPS location with my 911 light on.

After months of trying new things we found the fix

Take it to a Jeep dealer and have them pull the April 29, 2016 Service Bulletin Number 08-054-16 for the Electrical group. That explains how to fix the problem and only costs $20.

Best of luck to all.
 
#187 ·
I second this. Took my '14 V8 Summit in for this issue (and the no GPS/time is wrong, blah blah). They tried re-flashing the unit, which caused it to brick. The software update gets stuck on the "bad air card" message. Now, my display simply flashes white for a minute, then black for a minute at full brightness, and continuously repeats nonstop. This is incredibly annoying at night (I carry a blanket to cover the display at night, AND remember most controls are also on that display which I cannot use (heated everything, climate, etc).

Unit is backordered with an unknown in-stock date. :mad:
 
#188 ·
I did the software update myself, it took a while, sitting in the California Sun. But it completed.

For the first time I have seen positive changes, the Bluetooth connects faster and the SD and USB card scans happen faster, so music resumes before I get out of the neighborhood rather than down the road. This radio/control system is still a disaster of a product, but they are finally making some tiny improvements that should have been done two years ago.

This in no way absolves them of blame for the garbage navigation system and ancient maps.
 
#191 ·
I am having the same problem. I bought my 2014 grand Cherokee used for a lot of money and one of the features that sold me on the jeep was the uconnect and navigation.
I drive an average of 150 miles a day and use the navigation most of the time, I'm a road tech. I paid for the uconnect features but they don't work and I can't afford to replace the unit. Is there a class action suit to have the jeeps that are out of warranty to have the problem fixed or did I just get beat?
 
#192 ·
I get the vehicle phone requires service,clock freezing and nav works sometimes and has me miles from where i'm at.
I did get the email of an ota update was coming but that was September 1.I did notice that everything worked great for the first 3 years but this all started after they did the update for the autopark recall.Dealer just keeps telling me they don't do this stuff anymore it's all over the air. Has anybody heard of a class action against FCA or has anybody been to their local tv station to get them to run a story on it?
 
#193 ·
Hi bobgealy,

I'm sorry for the delay. What model year is your Jeep?

Kori
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 
#197 ·
Hi bobgealy,

Please go ahead and send me a private message with your VIN and I will investigate further.

Kori
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 
#196 ·
Hi Jimbo107,

Did you receive an email from our Uconnect team letting you know the download would be coming soon to your vehicle? Please send me a PM with your VIN and I can look into it further.

Kori
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 
#200 ·
Hi JayMizy,

Have you performed a reset on your radio--this will cause you to lose presets and Bluetooth pairings, but may help. It will also help if you noticed any concerns with your backup camera (if you have one).

Settings -> System Information -> Reset to Factory Default

Kori
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 
#201 · (Edited)
hello,
just purchased a used 2014 Summit almost a month now with no problems, just saw the msg yesterday while idling. I turned the vehicle off and restarted and didn't see the msg again. I did look up the vin and saw that there was an update. I guess I'll read through the posts to see what's the best course of action if the msg comes up again. I did read a post that they did the update and things got worse.....not trying to have that issue!
 
#203 ·
Hi lamarps,

If you're interested, it might be beneficial to visit your dealership for a full diagnosis.

Kori
Jeep Social Care Specialist
 
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