2025 Kia Sportage Parking Distance Warning Software Update

Kia has issued an Over-the-Air (OTA) software update to resolve an intermittent operation issue with the Parking Distance Warning (PDW) system in certain 2025 Kia Sportage and Sportage PHEV/HEV models. This update is part of Service Campaign SC350 and aims to improve the reliability of the parking assistance feature. The Parking Distance Warning (PDW) system is a crucial safety feature designed to assist drivers by providing alerts when obstacles are detected near the vehicle during parking maneuvers.

Symptoms

Owners of affected 2025 Kia Sportage vehicles may experience the Parking Distance Warning (PDW) system operating intermittently. This means the system, which typically provides audible and visual alerts to obstacles, may not function consistently or reliably when needed. Drivers might find that these crucial warnings are not always provided, potentially leading to difficulties in parking or an increased risk of minor collisions due to undetected objects.

Diagnosis / Trigger Conditions

The primary condition indicating this issue is the intermittent operation of the Kia Sportage Parking Distance Warning system. There are no specific diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) mentioned in relation to this software update. Instead, the problem manifests as inconsistent performance of the parking assistance feature, which is attributed to the vehicle's internal software logic.

Repair Procedure Summary

The remedy involves an Over-the-Air (OTA) software update designed to modify the logic of the Body Control Unit (BDC). This update specifically improves the Body Domain Controller (BDC) software to ensure consistent and reliable operation of the Parking Distance Warning (PDW) system. The BDC is a key electronic control unit responsible for managing various vehicle functions, including aspects of the parking assistance system.

The OTA update process is straightforward for owners. Once the software is downloaded by the vehicle, and the vehicle is powered off, a pop-up notification will be displayed on the infotainment screen to confirm the update. This in-vehicle update procedure is estimated to take approximately 9 minutes to complete.

Owner Action

Owners of eligible 2025 Kia Sportage and Sportage PHEV/HEV vehicles do not need to visit a dealership for this update. The software update will be rolled out Over-the-Air to all eligible vehicles with an active Kia Connect account. To ensure your vehicle receives this essential update for the Kia Sportage Parking Distance Warning system, it is imperative that your vehicle has an active Kia Connect account.

If you have any questions regarding your Kia Connect account or the OTA update process, you can contact the Kia Connect Call Center directly at (844) 886-9411. For more information on Over-the-Air software updates from Kia, please visit their official website: https://owners.kia.com/content/owners/en/ota-software-update.html.

Important Warnings

It is critical for owners to understand that this is an Over-the-Air (OTA) software update, which operates differently from a traditional vehicle recall. Unlike a recall, there will be no physical notification letter sent, and a dealership visit is not required for installation. The most important condition for receiving this update is having an active Kia Connect account. Vehicles without an active Kia Connect account will not automatically receive the necessary software improvement to address the intermittent Kia Sportage Parking Distance Warning system operation. Owners are encouraged to ensure their Kia Connect subscription is active to benefit from this and future software enhancements.

Source: NHTSA ID 11025946