I followed the info on this thread and was able to download the nav update and then install it on my 2023 K5 GT:

System & Map Update v18.? February 2025 | Kia K5 Forum

I used a 64GB flash drive.

 

Ensure it's formatted as fat32 (it might also accept exfat) and not NTFS. There might not be a fat32 option as it's >32gb but there's solutions online for it.

 

Try a different flash drive

Someone a while ago had a similar issue when they followed the steps to get the updated firmware. They even reformatted the flash drive and still didnt work. They bought a new flash drive and it worked for them.

Copy/paste does not work since it uses a .iso file to embed the firmware on the flash drive

 

Any idea if the April update has significant changes ? Kia update website just mentions that maps are updated.

 

How do you update the system in a 2021 k5

 

This is the site - instructions are available on this site:

Kia Mapcare | Customer Login

 

It appears like the update got pulled. Only the 2025 K5 shows up in the list of eligible vehicles now. Updater program says “Navigation Update Downloads are temporarily unavailable.”

 

This is common when the April release gets pulled. Then re-released in June. They have done it every yr since 2022. It also happens in Sept release. I always wait til Nov to update

 

Don't update. The latest update bricked my head unit. $11,000 to replace and the backorder is months. And Kia doesn't care. I strongly recommended, do NOT update.

 

Please provide some proof of your statement.
Picture your $11,000 workorder or repair estimate.

 

@NoUpdatesKia
Reason KIA isnt accepting responsibility is the software update wasnt done by a KIA Dealership to certify warranty work

Since the infotainment was bricked and they cant see the SW Version in the System Info page. In their eyes, they dont know if you installed the correct software for your vehicle. Its your words against theirs. Now, if you can get them to investigate and be able to get your old infotainment unlocked and they can confirm its the correct SW Version that bricked your infotainment system, they will reimburse you

I work in IT and we see stuff like this often. Typically, its either a corrupted file when downloading, or when downloading, it didnt carry over all the .dll files to the thumb drive, to someone accidentally installing an older firmware version cus they didnt check the version on the current system before running the installer. Not saying this is what your situation is or you did anything wrong

This is why its important to read every pop up box that opens. Majority of the people quickly click yes/ok/accept/skip without reading them. My personal experience, I have had to say no multiple times because a file wasnt working. And then download again and again until it worked. Then I'm able to run the installer successfully. To unlock something is very time consuming and it may or may not show the reason behind the issue.

What Im saying is, double and triple check everything before running firmware updates on anything, rspecially if you download it yourself. And read everything that pops up to verify what you are saying yes to. Unless its the disclaimer stating that you cant copy, sell, blah blah blah, etc etc etc. Dont waste your time reading that lol

 

Thanks a lot for your reply. I'm an embedded software engineer. I don't typically get software wrong. The update was done properly with all files and was not interrupted mid way. No popups missed or improperly handled.
Though I appreciate your comment on what Kia can and cannot verify took place, I don't accept your position that Kia should only take responsibility if the update is done at a dealership. If that's the policy, they should warrant it on the update website, which they do not.
Regardless of legal responsibility, the way they've handled my issue so far is simply bad business. They have been "looking into it" for weeks while my car is practically disabled. I can't change the side mirror angles, as one example. Major safety risk.

 

I wanted to add a little more color. Embedded software (such as in a car) often gets updated in the field. The proper way to design such a system is to have large enough flash storage to hold both the currently running software image and the new one that is being installed. That way, if the update fails for whatever reason, such systems are designed to fall back to the current software instead of the faulty new one.
Kia does not seem to have implemented that correctly. There could be several reasons for that. The most likely one is cost. These cars were designed around 2016 to 2019, when flash memory of the size required for the large software & maps images (upwards of 60 GB) was decently expensive. Let's say such a flash memory component cost Kia $20. A flash component double the size might cost them $40, cutting $20 into Kia's tiny margins on each car. So Kia likely chose the cheaper option, which doesn't allow for the fallback.
The other possible explanation is even worse and less likely in my opinion, namely that there is sufficient storage to hold both software images, but the update mechanism is improperly designed.
Either way, once again: On its official update website, Kia recommends customers to update the software. It does not recommend to only do that at a dealership. It claims that updates include new maps and safety features. I have not found any warranty that suggests that customers are responsible for their own updates and Kia will take no responsibility (and even if I had, that would not matter too much giving the encouragement by Kia to update the software). In my opinion, they simply must stand behind these updates and fix any issue resulting from them, forever, for all customers, or remove the option to update. Of course they will try to avoid that since it costs them a lot.
I'll revise my original statement: Don't ever update your Kia (I assume this applies to Hyundai as well) software by yourself without the support and guarantee of a dealership.

 

Time to lawyer up. If your state has a lemon law, file it with your AG to that dealership

Your not the 1st to file for a Lemon Law in this group, and you wont be the last

 

Thank you. Already on it, filing a small claims lawsuit. Not sure I understand how lemon law might apply here - this is not a lemon... The head unit worked fine until the update.

 

Thank you. Already on it, filing a small claims lawsuit. Not sure I understand how lemon law might apply here - this is not a lemon... The head unit worked fine until the update.

Regardless of legal responsibility, the way they've handled my issue so far is simply bad business. They have been "looking into it" for weeks while my car is practically disabled. I can't change the side mirror angles, as one example. Major safety risk.

This sentence right here is a start of filing for a Lemon Law. It doesnt have to be a Manufacture defect to be considered a Lemon. A lack of repair or ongoing issue with the same problem that cant be fixed is enough to file for a claim

Depending on where you live, could impact if the Lemon Law works in your favor. A link for your knowledge how Lemon Law works. Could be different if your state doesnt qualify for this

Washington State Lemon Law Attorneys - New & Used Cars

Our experienced Washington Lemon lawyers get you the compensation you're owed, with no fees. Call 1-800-875-3666 for a free case review!

www.yourlemonlawrights.com

 

This sentence right here is a start of filing for a Lemon Law. It doesnt have to be a Manufacture defect to be considered a Lemon. A lack of repair or ongoing issue with the same problem that cant be fixed is enough to file for a claim

Depending on where you live, could impact if the Lemon Law works in your favor. A link for your knowledge how Lemon Law works. Could be different if your state doesnt qualify for this

Washington State Lemon Law Attorneys - New & Used Cars

Our experienced Washington Lemon lawyers get you the compensation you're owed, with no fees. Call 1-800-875-3666 for a free case review!

www.yourlemonlawrights.com

Thanks, I'll look into it. I'm in California.