I took my 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee to the dealer for service and asked them to update my navigation software because it didn’t have some new streets on it. They said they could do it for $400, or I could do it myself for $140. Of course, I chose the $140 option. Well, it turned out to be $165.57, plus a lot of time, waiting, hassle, and pain. Here are the “simple” instructions on how to do it–70 “easy” steps:
1) Go to http://chryslergroup.navigation.com.
2) Enter 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee.
3) Call your dealer and verify that you bought the Uconnect 8.4A (RA3) navigation system. (Or click on a link to buy it for $595.
Get the Uconnect Software Update (not included with the map update):
4) Before buying the new map, click on a link to go to https://www.driveuconnect.com/software-update/ to see if you need a Uconnect Software Update.
5) Type in your 17-digit VIN.
6) You’ll need an update, so click on Get Started.
7) Watch a 10-minute video on updating the Uconnect Software. (It’s “easy,” just “a few simple steps.)
8) Either install Akamai NetSession, or download a file; unzip it; and copy it to a USB flash drive.
9) Go out to your car; start it; and, leave it in Park.
10) Insert the Uconnect software update USB flash drive into the USB port.
11) A popup shows the old version and the new version of the software. If you want to update it, click on Yes.
12) Wait 30 minutes (sitting in your car, while it’s running).
13) Another popup shows that the new version has been installed, so click on No.
14) Remove the Uconnect software update USB flash drive from the USP port.
Get the Map Update:
Determine which navigation system is installed in your vehicle:
15) Turn your car off.
16) Turn the ignition to the ON position.
17) Turn the Radio ON.
18) Press Apps.
19) Press Settings.
20) Scroll down.
21) Select System Information.
22) Look at the Map Database and determine if you have a VP3 system or a VP4 system. (I had VP4.)
23) Go back to the http://chryslergroup.navigation.com site and click on the VP4 system image.
24) Order the VP4 update and pay them $165.57.
25) Wait two weeks to receive the USB flash drive via slow-mail.
Generate an Activation Code:
26) Go to your car and turn the ignition to the ON position.
27) Turn the Radio ON.
28) Press Apps.
29) Press Settings.
30) Scroll down.
31) Select System Information.
32) Write down the 6-digit software version (16.13.13).
33) Insert the map update USB flash drive into the USB port.
34) Wait 60 seconds.
35) Write down the 22-digit request code.
36) Go to www.navigation.com/RA3RA4ACTIVATE.
37) Enter the 25-digit Product Serial Number from the box that the map update USB came in.
38) Enter your e-mail address.
39) Click on Submit.
40) Enter your 17-digit VIN.
41) Enter the 6-digit software version from step 32 above.
42) Enter the 22-digit request code from step 35 above.
43) Wait for an e-mail.
44) Get the 16-digit activation code from the e-mail.
Update the Navigation:
45) Go back to your car and start it.
46) Insert the map update USB flash drive into the USB port.
47) Wait 60 seconds.
48) Press Yes to update the navigation map.
49) Wait 60 seconds.
50) Enter the 16-digit activation code from step 44 above.
51) Wait 60 seconds for the activation code to be verified.
52) Press OK to start the update installation.
53) Wait an hour-and-a-half.
54) Do not turn the car off.
55) Do not start the vehicle.
56) Do not remove the map update USB flash drive.
57) Do not open any car door.
58) When a popup shows the new update has been installed, press No (to not install it again).
59) Remove the map update USB flash drive.
60) Turn the car off.
61) Open and close the driver’s door.
62) Do not press the brake.
63) Do not reopen any doors.
64) Wait 60 seconds.
65) Turn the ignition to On.
66) Turn the ignition to Off.
67) Open and close the driver’s door.
68) Do not press the brake.
69) Do not reopen any doors.
70) Wait 60 seconds.
And, after all of this, I realized that it only updated from 2012 to 2013. So, after all this trouble, my map is still four years old.
Just went through the process to upgrade the maps for my 2017 Cherokee and it is really, really ludicrous. Over an hour with the motor running, about 1/8 to 1/4 tank of gas – 10 bucks – wasted and all the pollution. The system upgrade was an additional waste as the FCA site has the wrong information on the currently installed software level and you gotta go through the whole damn process to learn that you don’t need to go through the whole damn process. The Trailhawk is quite capable off road but is poorly manufactured and service sucks. This is my first and my last FCA product. Toyota 4Runner is gonna be my next SUV.
Very dissapointed, Just bought a Jeep Grand cherokee 2015, the one with the daylight driving leds, and now that I want to update the maps, it says that I have to pay for it, while ‘Here’ and ‘Google Maps’ are free on my galaxy s7… what a crock of sheep… is there any way to pair up my android to the jeep stereo?
I’ve been waiting months to get the update for my 2015 jeep, Chrysler does not give 2 sh#$% about you or their products and services needed once you purchase a particular unit. What a terrible company.
Why does an update to maps on GPS cost so much? Then I heard it isn’t even the latest year. North Texas has many new roads and I won’t pay that much to get old information. Map updates should be free then many more happy customers. It is the age of internet!
Really folks! Chrysler should be giving us free updates for our U-connect Chrysler navigation system being that we paid a pretty penny for our vehicles. They should be giving free updates since even Garmin gives free updates with the purchase of a new navigation GPS . So what happened….are we chopped liver???? If Chrysler wants to survive they better start being better to their customers just to keep them. The prices they want to charge are ridiculous!
I have a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I purchased from the Carl Malone dealership in Heber, Utah. I have had 3 prior Jeeps and the only one that we can’t use is the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee .
I have had 3 Jeeps and I am disappointed about the cost and the lack of service level satisfaction.
2017 JEEP Limited was purchased in January this year expecting the GPS was up to date and discovered it has not changed since 2012 on another previously owned vehicle. Very disappointed to have to pay horrendous fees to update the map when on my handheld Garmin there are no fees to update. Phoned Chrysler and was told he maps were up to date when installed in the vehicle. I wish they could at least be honest and admit it was not up to date.
This whole procedure seems so cumbersome it is ridiculous and Jeep should give better after sales service . I don’t have version 10 0n my computer and by the time you add up all the costs and time involved it just takes the fun out of it !!!!
Chrysler and Jeep should be ashamed !!!!
I own our Jeep from Australia and so far am happy with how it drives etc. I’m going for my first service on, we have fixed servicing and after reading about the Satnav am concerned as I was hoping better feed back. To change it from South Australian to Victoria is quite an ordeal as you can’t do it from the screen. Will see what the service team have to say. Thanks for the info from all
sounds like it would be a good idea to open source the maps – post it online and just let people download it …
I just use Google maps on my phone which is connected via bluetooth to my 2011 Grand Cherokee. If I think or know I’ll lose service on a trip, I download the map in Google Maps. It’s faster, easier, cheaper, more convenient, and… the destinations are saved in Google maps for when need or want route information anywhere else besides the driver’s seat of my Jeep! The NAV system is a cool gimmick, but completely unnecessary.
I am a property manager on the Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia and am very dependent on an accurate and up to date Sat Nav. I went to a property yesterday which was not listed on my guidance system so used my I Phone. I checked how long the street had been there and it turned out to be 2012 when it was developed. When I purchased my Jeep I was told that when it comes in for a service they plug it into a computer that links straight to Jeep in USA and does all updates. Not so apparently. Up until yesterday I was very happy with my 2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee and had been considering updating soon but I can’t see the point if one of their main selling features is a dud.
Shame on Jeep Chrysler. Agreed, if Garmin gives free updates, we should get free updates after spending the pretty penny for such a nice vehicle! Very disappointed…At least my phone’s navigation will always be current!
You nailed it…what a joke! Surprised that I didn’t have to sacrifice one of my cats to get the job done. Just don’t understand why the dealer can update the UConnect, but not the Nav??? I’d pay the $150 (still likely be unhappy due to the fact that I haven’t seen any real update to it) to have them do it in a heartbeat if it saved me the 3 hours it took beginning to end. 2017 Grand Cherokee Overland, my 4th Grand Cherokee. 1 week to get the update via snail-mail. So disappointed…
Try living in a country outside the usa, zero help, no updates for maps since 2012, pathetic. Was told a different story pre purchase, now im stuck with a shitty system that jeep wont support. 2014 Jeep SRT Grand Cherokee
Melbourne Australia
We just updated the operating system on a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The list of steps here is very close. A piece of important information you need to know that I don’t see and he truly may not have experienced this or know!!!
If you download the update, which we did, you cannot use a SanDisk or Lexar usb drive. We were finally told this the 3rd call to Chrysler support. The system will not recognize them. We ended up with a 16GB, on sale $4.00 usb drive and it loaded right in.
I spoke to Jeep HQ Customer Service about Uconnect and Maps software updates in the last year as I thought the prices were excessive to say the least. This is what I learned. The dealerships have the Uconnect software and the updates available for all vehicles it was installed in. Also, they have the map software and updates available for installation. The dealerships are supposed to check the Uconnect software when the vehicle comes in for service and update it free of charge. This is regardless of whether you are using all of the paid for features or just the free version. The map software is available for installation for the cost of the map update and an installation fee as determined by each dealership. I read a number of peoples’ posts where you were experiencing issues with your vehicles. The CSR stated the dealerships are supposed to offer free upgrades to the paid versions of Uconnect and or Map updates when your vehicle is required to have an unexpected extended stay for service. She gave three different examples: when a vehicle is kept overnight unplanned to complete a service, multiple day service or the same issued repaired more than once. The caveat to this is it has to be under warranty or a recall. Here is the irony to this; the dealerships have an allowance from Jeep to do this for increased customer satisfaction, yes really. I have a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit with the eco diesel. I had a problem, which took 3 days to fix in the first 1000 miles of ownership. In the second year of ownership, I had a transmission problem and emissions issues, which took 3 visits all of which ended up in unplanned multi-night stays. I was not offered either of the updates or a courtesy car. Luckily, I have had no issues since, but I view their customer service as sub-par at best and almost combative at times as compared to the Lexus and Toyota service I have received over the previous 25 years.
Contrary as Jay SM said, the dealer here in Perth Western Australia is always saying the update still not available and Jeep still resolving the problem with the map provider. I asked the update since 2016 (I bought my Overland in 2014) and finally, in early April 2019 the UConnect updated to version 17 dot something from version 14 dot something. For this, I have to pay $200. So I drove around to check whether I have the new map, it turned out the map still exactly the same as the old one i.e. giving the wrong speed information (the speed changed 5 years ago) and incomplete street map in my suburb that has already built up in 2014.
I raised this issue to the dealer and they insisted everything has already been updated accordingly including the map. So not sure whether the dealer or Jeep to blame, or maybe both to blame for this uncoordinated customers service. The dealer going to return 50% of the cost back to me however I am very disappointed that after 5 bloody years waiting for the new map, still no update.
I took my 2014 Jeep GC Summit to Europe when I moved there for a job. Wanted to get European maps. Dealer says “sure” and quotes like 4000 euro ! ! ! That’s $4500 !
Then can only do it if they replace the complete uconnect system for a European one, with everything that comes with that. Yes, I understand that the 911 button will not get me emergency in Europe, the satellite won’t work, yes, but I don’t want to fix that. Just the maps!
No can do! It’s $4500 or nothing. About 10% of the price of the car to get working maps and a few things I do not ask for.
I guess my last Jeep
Im having the same issue as Theike, took my 2015 Jeep GC to Europe when i moved and having had the lighting corrected to European standard wanted to get the GPS maps installed, Ive tried 3 Jeep dealerships and all I get is a smirk and “no” unless you want to change to the European U-connect system for around Euro 4k. Come on Jeep I paid over $40k for the car when i bought it and the support and help getting it to Europe has been appalling. None returned calls from FCA support before I left the US and once in Spain Jeep are like Pontius Pilote and wash their hands of you. Just not good enough!
We need to form something to tell Chrysler we will not stand for this. I’m voting to start blasting them on every social media option and google. The reviews and surveys is what matters to them. We should be able to have a simple fix for this and they’re preventing us from having it. Thoughts?
Well, I guess I won’t have my maps updated. It’s disheartening to read all the comments. I just changed my 4Runner for a 2014 Grand Cherokee Overland . The GPS is ok at best and I was looking forward to having the latest version. I’ll check with the dealers on my next maintenance visit .
I bought the update for my 2013 Grand Cherokee Laredo and followed the instructions perfectly. Many hours wasted. Did not work. Also 4 different fixes to address brake recalls, thermostat failure at 45,000 miles, trans cooler, A/C condenser failure which I was told is very common at 75,000 miles ($1,200) fix, windshield washer nozzles that are made of a material that seems not to be UV resistant (disintegrated at $40,000 miles), and a rocker arm failure that may not be covered by FCA and again is very common at 80,000 miles. I love the vehicle, but it is the poorest quality vehicle I’ve ever owned. I previously had a 1998 Tahoe that I drove nearly 200,000 miles that was trouble free. So…… the Jeep is likely my first and last FCA vehicle
Disappointing to read all the above. Traded in my beloved Prado as the tow limit was 2.5 tonnes (surprisingly) for this 2015 Jeep Grand Cherokee which has a 3.5 tonne tow rating. Like the car but the maps are obviously out of date. Changing states is a painful process and the pronunciation atrocious. Wish I’d read all this first! Now I can look forward to the expense of the breakdowns listed above? Great!!
Can someone please tell me (step by step idiots instructions) how to Bluetooth Google maps? Don’t I need carplay thingy? Thanks.
My gps has me all over the map I’m 20 minutes to home but map has me 3 hrs to home by way of Nebraska
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“Simple” Instructions for Updating Jeep Navigation Map « Christian Data Resources
I have a 2014 Jeep Patriot, I lost all the county roads on my GPS. It only shows Highways and interstates. What do I have to do to get the county roads back?
Thank you
Terry