Vehicle Phone Requires Service; Reasons and Solutions!

Many users are facing this issue where there’s a message pop-up on the infotainment system. This message pop-up says that the phone of the vehicle needs servicing.

So, how to fix the pop-up vehicle phone requires service?

This can happen due to malfunctioning antenna. Tightening and replacing the antenna can fix this problem. If Internal phone errors then replace the internal phone. Also, a backdated Uconnect system can cause this. So, update the Uconnect system to the latest version. Finally, to fix software bugs, the car battery and Uconnect fuse needs to be reset. The radio unit also has to be replaced. 

Although you’ll need this much information, it’s not the entire package. Read through the article to get proper steps, fixes, and more!

What Does Vehicle Phone Requires Service Mean?

The pop-up “Vehicle phone requires service. Please contact your dealer.” indicates problems with the internal vehicle phone. When this message is displayed, the cellular functionalities of a Jeep fail to work. 

For example, the 911 and other buttons don’t work. The mirror also turns red and becomes unresponsive. As a result, using the phone functionalities inside the vehicle becomes a stress.

In the highly saturated vehicle market, the vehicle phone feature is available in many vehicles. Jeep, RAM, Chrysler, Dodge, and many other car manufacturers implement the vehicle phone feature. This feature allows cellular functions inside the car.

3 Reasons and Solutions: Vehicle Phone Requires Service

The “Vehicle phone requires service” issue has a few reasons and fixes. The chart below states all the reasons, symptoms, and solutions for this problem.

Reason	Symptom	Solution
Internal Phone Error	Cannot Use Calling Features	Replace the Internal Phone
Malfunctioning Antenna	Shorted Antenna Loose Antenna	Tighten the Antenna Replace the Antenna
Backdated Uconnect System	Failing Functionalities of the Uconnect App	Update the Uconnect System
Software Bug/Glitch	Unresponsive Vehicle Phone Service	Reset the Car Battery Reset the Uconnect Fuse Replace Radio Unit/Head Unit

Now, let’s know about the reasons and solutions in detail. The next segment has all the step-by-step guidelines for fixing this issue on your vehicle. Give it a good read.

Reason 1: Internal Phone Error

The vehicle phone feature is implemented by placing an internal phone. This phone acts like a phone for the vehicle. Furthermore, this internal phone allows the driver to make and receive calls, texts, etc.

Internal component errors like this also trigger the service park assist system in Jeep. But these problems can be easily fixed. The internal phone error has been seen in Chrysler 200/300, Dodge Durango, etc.

Solution:

To fix this issue, you’ll have to replace the head unit or the internal phone of the vehicle. Take it to your trusted mechanic shop or the dealership and they can take care of this issue.  

The fixing/replacing of the internal phone will cause the “vehicle phone requires service” pop-up to go away. 

Reason 2: Malfunctioning Antenna

The antenna is a crucial tool that allows vehicle phone services. Without the antenna, the wireless and cellular connections cannot be made. 

Even if there’s an antenna, it might be malfunctioning. This in turn causes the “vehicle phone requires service” error. A malfunctioning antenna has two base reasons; a loose or a shorted antenna.

Antennas can get loose over time and antennas can get short due to rainwater and other reasons. It can happen on rugged cars like the Dodge Challenger and Jeep Cherokee series as well!

Solution:

The solution to this problem consists of tightening the antenna. Before attempting anything, first, turn off the car and disconnect the battery.

Then, you can tighten the antenna with your hand. Just rotate it clockwise till the very end to tighten it. If tightening the antenna doesn’t work, you’ll have to replace it. You can follow the video for a guideline to replace the antenna:

Reason 3: Backdated Uconnect System

The Uconnect app lets you establish a cellular connection from the vehicle itself. This system allows you to control certain functionalities. For instance, replying to texts, making and receiving calls, playing songs, etc.

However, for the Uconnect app to work flawlessly, it needs to be updated to the latest version. The “Vehicle phone requires service” pop-up can occur when the Uconnect application is backdated. 

New patches of the Uconnect app roll out regularly. If the latest version/patch is not installed on your vehicle, it might create software problems. For instance, calling features failing, the sunroof not closing, etc.

Solution:

This problem can be easily solved by updating the Uconnect app to the latest version. For updating the app, you will need the following:

• Computer
• Uconnect system
• USB flash drive with 4GB of free space

Furthermore, you need to set up the Uconnect app. Follow this video to do so-

After setting up, you can start updating. Here are the steps for updating the Uconnect app:

Step 1: Download the Latest Update By using your computer, go to driveuconnect.com/support/software-update.html and enter your 17-digit VIN number. It will then proceed to show you the latest update available.

If an update is available, plug in the USB flash drive in the computer. You can download the update on your computer and then transfer that file to the USB flash drive. Remember to extract the updated file inside the USB flash drive.

Step 2: Prepare Your Car

Now, prepare your vehicle for the update. First, park the vehicle in a well-ventilated area and keep the ignition on. 

Note that, you must remain parked until the update has been completed. Then, plug in the USB flash drive into the female USB port of your infotainment system. You’re now ready to start the update.

Step 3: Start Updating

Now on the display of the infotainment system, you will see a confirmation message. Verify that the update on the USB drive is newer than the current Uconnect version. If it is a newer version, press ‘Yes’.

After pressing the yes button, the Uconnect system will reboot several times. Different notifications and percentages will appear on the screen, which will help you track the progress.

Do not unplug the USB flash drive or turn off the car until the update has been completed. The update should continue without any interruptions. 

After the latest version of Uconnect software is installed, the system will reboot. Afterward, the confirmation message (mentioned earlier) will pop up again. 

Here, the update on the USB driver will match the current Uconnect version. If it matches, click ‘NO’. If it doesn’t match, click ‘Yes’ and repeat the whole process.

Finally, remove the USB flash drive from the system. Your Uconnect system is now updated to the latest version!

Reason 4: Software Bug/Glitch

This is one of the most common reasons behind this issue. The users of the Jeep Cherokee and Grand Cherokee face this issue most of the time.

Software bugs and glitches disrupt the functionalities of the Uconnect features. As a result, the “vehicle phone requires service” notification pops up.

The software bug has been seen from the 16.13.13 update of the Uconnect application. It is often related to the bad aircard in the radio unit of the vehicle. This is an integrated unit inside vehicles with phone service and the bug originates from here.

Flaws in the Telematics gateway module circuit may also cause this issue. It disrupts the signals and connections of the wireless 3G module. As a result, the NAV fails to work temporarily or sometime permanently.

Solution:

To solve this issue, there are three approaches. The first solution to this is to replace the radio unit on the vehicle. 

For instance, the radio unit in Jeep is known as ‘JK Radio’. Since the bugs are affiliated with the radio unit, replacing the JK radio with a new one might help. 

If your vehicle is from another manufacturer like Dodge or RAM, contact them and get your radio replaced! The cost should be around 800-1000$, which includes labor costs.

The radio unit can be replaced by your dealership for free; if you still have a warranty. If your warranty period has expired, you have to import the radio from an outside source.

The second solution is doing a soft reset by pulling out the Uconnect system fuse. It’s a 15 amp fuse inside the fuse box, which is labeled M41. After pulling out the fuse, wait 15 – 20 minutes and plug it back in.

The third solution for this problem is resetting the battery of the vehicle. It causes a reset throughout all the electrical functions available, including the Uconnect software. To reset the battery, you will need the following:

• Socket Wrench
• Socket Wrench Extender

After getting these, follow the steps here:

Step 1: Turn off the Vehicle

To start off, turn the ignition off. This will eliminate all the possibilities of hazards. Also, park the vehicle somewhere cool.

Step 2: Disconnect the Battery

In this step, you will need to disconnect the battery. First, find both terminals of the battery. The negative terminal of the battery usually has a black cap and a minus sign. On the contrary, the positive terminal of the battery has a red cap and a plus sign.

Next, by using the socket wrench and extender, loosen up the nut on the Negative terminal. Place the socket onto the nut and rotate it counterclockwise. After loosening the nut, pull out the cable that connects to the negative terminal and set it aside.

Repeat the steps for the positive terminal as well.  A few turns of the socket wrench should easily loosen the nut. After the nut’s loose, pull out the cable that connects to the positive terminal and set it aside.

Step 3: Let the Vehicle Rest for 15 – 20 Minutes

Now, with the battery disconnected, let the vehicle rest for 15 – 20 minutes. This will allow functionalities to restart. The Uconnect app will also reset and the bugs and glitches might also go away!

Step 4: Reconnect the Battery and Turn on the Vehicle

For the final step, reconnect the negative and positive terminals and screw the nuts back in. After the battery is reconnected to the car, start the car. 

When starting the vehicle after connecting the battery, make sure the vehicle is cooled down. For Jeeps, you may find the Jeep not starting when it’s hot.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

Is Uconnect service free?

No, the Uconnect service is not free. The subscription to Uconnect costs 14.99$ every month. There is also an annual payment available for the Uconnect service, which costs 149.99$ annually. 

How do I start my Jeep from my phone?

You can start your Jeep from your phone via the Uconnect application. In this app, there’s a ‘vehicle start’ button on the home screen. Clicking it will turn on your Jeep remotely.

What is the auto-start feature?

The auto start feature is when the vehicle automatically restarts without any delay. When the vehicle battery is charging or warming up, this feature won’t shut the engine off. 

Wrapping up

This is the end of this article. Hopefully, now you’re clear on what to do when “vehicle phone requires service” pops up!

If you’re unsure about anything, you can always take your vehicle to the professionals. Car mechanics can fix this problem in exchange for a small fee so you don’t have to get your hands dirty.

Good luck!