Kia Access app and UVO Link

[RubberToe]

Anyone else trying to figure this out...

Soul 2015 EV, had been using the Kia Access android phone app to access the cars dashboard to check battery charge level, etc. App stops working a couple weeks ago. Can't access any of the things I normally look at: dashboard, locations, etc. I finally log into the MyUvo website and it looks like I needed to (re)activate the eServices in the car for some reason. Go to the car to do just that, and the car says I can't do that cause I'm not enrolled in any "plan", presuming this means giving them my credit card, etc. Go back to the website and search all available menus for many hours and there is no way to give them credit card information. Finally see a screen stating that to "Activate UVO", which I found under "My Vehicles", I need to call 1-800-433-4KIA to "enable UVO". So I call the 800 number and it turns out that I get into a phone tree that seems convinced that I need roadside assistance. No way to get through to an operator to take my credit card number to actually get my car reconnected so I can check and control it from the phone app.


Any advice appreciated.

RT

 

[edzee3]

This doesn't address your problem but here's my story.

I too have been using UVO, then Kia Access (Android) for info about my '15 Soul-EV for years. Now, KIA Access, v. 3.6.0 is not updating vehicle information quickly, or sometimes, not at all. I did get a update on 12/25/2019, but not now. However, the car location did get updated now.

I see plenty of comments on web about App problems.

I wonder about the settings in the car for this function.

BTW, I like the fingerprint sensor App sign-in help.

 

[RubberToe]

It turns out that my 5 year free subscription to UVO services expired. It took about 3 hours of web searching the Kia site to figure that out. Given that, and the rather high cost of the service, we won't be subscribing. Ironically, primary app usage was to verify the timed charging took place since that has proven unreliable at times.

If you can afford it, get a Tesla

RT

 

[edzee3]

Current on my using the KIA Access App (Android ; App. ver. 3.7.0.).
The KIA app does update my '15 EV info within maybe 30 sec.
Sometimes it shows "Updated: now", and sometimes shows "Updated: date and time".
Seems to always show the car location.
So, for now, it's useful.

Ed

 

[edzee3]

Ah, thanks to you all, I figured out that my KIA Access App services has just expired. Nothing on the App says that; it just doesn't connect to the vehicle. But when I went to the KIA website and bungled around, I came up with this, for my 2015 Soul EV (purchase Feb '15):
"Purchase/lease of a new 2015 Kia Soul EV vehicle with UVO EV Services includes a complimentary 5 year subscription starting from new vehicle retail sale/lease date as recorded by the dealer. After your complimentary 5 year UVO EV Services subscription expires, continued access to UVO EV Services will require a paid subscription at the then current subscription rate or your use of UVO EV Services will immediately terminate."
I tried to find the details for the "UVO EV Services" (what, how much, etc.) but no luck. Anyone find this info on the KIA website?

So, KIA has all these services but I couldn't find info (FAQs?) for what, how much, etc. ?

KIA picked 5 years for this free service (called UVO), but the app is called Access) maybe to sync with the Basic Warranty period of 5 years.

 

[qwertywelch]

I tried to find the details for the "UVO EV Services" (what, how much, etc.) but no luck. Anyone find this info on the KIA website?

So, KIA has all these services but I couldn't find info (FAQs?) for what, how much, etc. ?

KIA picked 5 years for this free service (called UVO), but the app is called Access) maybe to sync with the Basic Warranty period of 5 years.

For anyone else who stumbles on this thread... After a number of emails with Kia UVO support continuously telling me that UVO EV Services (the EV's equivalent of UVO eServices) has "expired" and cannot be reactivated, I've come to the conclusion they mean "discontinued" as in, they've shut down the servers - at least for the 2015 EV. Really sucks, given the marketing material and feature guide says you'll be able to pay for a subscription after the first 5 years. Bummer I won't be able to use any of the remote features on my new-to-me 2015 Soul EV+ They ought to at least update their Kia owners website and Access app to not give false info about having to activate the (discontinued) service.

 

[IslandTime]

I can confirm this based upon a conversation with a Kia rep today. Our 2016 will have UVO until it expires in 2021, after that we're SOL. Kia apparently has decided that long term customers don't matter, only purchasers of newer vehicles matter to them. This is our first Kia and it's not a very welcoming experience.

 

[edzee3]

I too am disappointed that the Access App with UVO link has disappeared for my '15 EV. The KIA rep tells me that there is no way I can have the UVO link back because the software has been updated, and now the old car is incompatible; sucks.
Ed

 

[edzee3]

Having some spare time at a KIA dealer waiting for my EPB recall update, I connected with a KIA advisor on the subject. She says that my '15 Soul EV Access UVO uses a 3G modem, AND I got my 5-year-free service.. But now, "KIA Access now uses 4G Modems so hardware is incompatible".
Maybe, but what about the remaining older Souls with current time remaining in the "5 years available-period " ?

KIA has a PR problem...

 

[mrtofu]

I recently ran into this problem myself. For people in the US, you can file a complaint with the FTC https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/assistant . Please file a complaint if your Kia has this problem and maybe we can get something done about it.

 

[LegoZ]

Just happened to me as well. I emailed inside EVs and am going to try and get some exposure there. Hopefully it will get picked up. I might also reach out to some youtube personalities.

 

[LegoZ]

also talking to the dealer to see if there is anything i can do to retain it, i would consider getting a junk yard head unit even from a newer with LTE modem

 

[LegoZ]

Dealer got back with me there is nothing they can do about it either working with their tech contacts. Same story not fix or upgrade available. Need to try Kia during the day again but not sure I have the patience.

 

[invader166]

Congratulations. You now have a Canadian spec Soul EV.

We never received the UVO Intelience/Kia Access integration in any trim level for the 1st generation vehicles.

At least they rectified that for the 2nd generation...

 

[LegoZ]

Congratulations. You now have a Canadian spec Soul EV.

We never received the UVO Intelience/Kia Access integration in any trim level for the 1st generation vehicles.

At least they rectified that for the 2nd generation...

Yeah that is bull crap too. Did they sell the car saying that would be available?

 

[invader166]

Yeah that is bull crap too. Did they sell the car saying that would be available?

Nope. Never mentioned anything about it, salesman had never even heard of this feature. :lol: