2025-2026 Kia Sportage / EV6 DCU Replacement Service Action

Kia has released Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) 408, outlining Service Action SA638, to address issues with the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) in certain 2025-2026 Kia Sportage and EV6 vehicles. This service action aims to resolve problems where the modem data is missing on the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) head unit, which prevents the Kia Connect service from activating.

Symptoms

Owners of affected 2025-2026 Kia Sportage or EV6 vehicles may experience the following symptoms:

• Kia Connect failing to activate: The primary symptom is the inability to activate or use the Kia Connect services.
• Missing modem data: When checking the vehicle's modem information through the infotainment system, fields such as USIM, IMEI, Network Carrier, Network Status, and Signal Strength may appear blank or show "0 dBm."

These issues stem from a faulty Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) that cannot properly communicate modem data to the Connected Car Navigation Cockpit (ccNC) head unit.

Fault Codes / DTCs

This service bulletin does not specify any Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) associated with the faulty Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) or the Kia Connect activation issue. The problem is identified through the missing modem information displayed on the vehicle's head unit.

What the Service Bulletin Says

Technical Service Bulletin 408 (Service Action SA638) instructs dealerships to replace the faulty Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) in affected vehicles. The repair procedure involves disconnecting the 12V battery, removing the old DCU, installing a new DCU, and then reconnecting the battery.

After the DCU replacement, technicians must verify that the USIM and IMEI values are correctly displayed in the modem information screen. Finally, they will activate or reconfigure the Kia Connect service to ensure full functionality. The specific part numbers for the replacement DCUs are 96510 P1720QQK for the Sportage (NQ5a) and 96510 XG100QQK for the EV6 (CVa).

This is a repair program performed without customer notification during the warranty period. Dealers are advised to check VIN inquiry data for tracking purposes and to reference SA638 when accessing the KDealer+ system.

What to Do

If you own a 2025-2026 Kia Sportage or EV6 and are experiencing issues with Kia Connect activation or believe your vehicle has missing modem data, you should contact your authorized Kia dealership. They can check if your vehicle is included in Service Action SA638 by verifying your VIN. If your vehicle is affected, the dealership will perform the necessary Kia Sportage DCU replacement or Kia EV6 DCU replacement under warranty.

Source: NHTSA ID: 11026753