Kia Carnival problems, complaints & recalls by model year
Across 4 model years (2022–2025), NHTSA has logged 433 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls for the Kia Carnival. That averages 44.0 complaints per year on the road — a typical number of complaints (index 1.05 against all tracked vehicles). Within the Minivans segment it ranks #2 of 4 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 52.1.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Analysis
Across four model years from 2022 to 2025, NHTSA has logged 433 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls for the Kia Carnival, with the 2025 model year showing the highest rate at 107.6 complaints per year compared to a model average of 44.0. While electrical issues account for 28.2% of complaints and are 1.8 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles, recurring terms in owner reports include "sliding", "door", "battery", "closing" and "children". Nine complaints describe a crash or fire, owners report 58 injuries and 0 deaths, and the latest defect investigation covers "Power Sliding Door Auto Reverse Failure" which was opened on 2022-04-10 and closed on 2023-06-13.
Summary drafted by an AI model running on our own server from the figures on this page, and checked number by number against the data before publishing. The statistics and the analysis above come from our fixed methodology, not from the model.The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2024 models run 39% below the 2022 models (50 early complaints per model year versus 86).
The 2025 model year has the highest rate (107.6 complaints per year) and the 2023 model year the lowest (13.6). The 2025 model year runs at least 50% above the model's own average — the one to research most carefully. Model years 2023 and 2024 sit well below the model's average.
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Electrical (28.2% of complaints), followed by Body & structure (17.3%) and Interior & equipment (16.9%). Electrical complaints are 1.8 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Recurring terms in owner reports: “sliding”, “door”, “battery”, “closing” and “children”. 9 complaints (2.1%) describe a crash or fire; across all model years owners report 58 injuries and 0 deaths.
In the last 12 months owners filed 125 complaints versus 108 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace. The 2025 model year generated the most recent reports (67). Across model years, half of all reported incidents occur within 7 months of the model year's start.
Recalls: 6 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2021 (2), 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model; the latest is “Power Sliding Door Auto Reverse Failure” (opened 2022-04-10, closed 2023-06-13).
Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Toyota Sienna; Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey have more.
Model years at a glance
| Year | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Complaints in first 2 years on the road | vs. same-year average | Last 12 months | Recalls | Most common issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 133 | 28.5 | 0.68 | 86 | 1.16 | 18 | 6 ⚠ | Body & structure | View › |
| 2023 Fewest complaints | 50 | 13.6 | 0.32 | 29 | 0.35 | 14 | 4 ⚠ | Interior & equipment | View › |
| 2024 | 70 | 26.2 | 0.62 | 50 | 0.71 | 26 | 2 | Electrical | View › |
| 2025 Years to research carefully | 180 | 107.6 | 2.56 | — | — | 67 | 1 | Electrical | View › |
1.00 means the same rate as the comparison group. 2.00 means twice as many complaints per year on the road. Complaints in first 2 years on the road: vs. same-year average. How we count
Trend · vs. same-year average
Complaints in first 2 years on the road ÷ All-vehicle average (1.00)
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 125 · Previous 12 months: 108 Steady
Problem areas
Other
27 · 6.2% · 3.45 vs. all vehicles · Falling
- seats11
- smart mode3
- seat moved3
- seat forward3
Fuel system
21 · 4.8% · 1.13 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- fuel18
- strong8
- smell7
- odor6
Transmission / powertrain
16 · 3.7% · 0.32 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- hybrid7
- accelerate7
- check6
- accelerator4
Driver-assist systems
9 · 2.1% · 0.36 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- distracting3
- forward collision3
- set3
- break3
Airbags & seat belts
9 · 2.1% · 0.54 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- seat6
- belt4
- row3
- airbags3
Steering
8 · 1.8% · 0.28 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
- steering column5
- leaking4
- steering wheel3
- oil3
Brakes
5 · 1.2% · 0.19 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Lighting
2 · 0.5% · 0.3 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Wheels, tires & suspension
1 · 0.2% · 0.09 vs. all vehicles · Too few recent reports to judge
Only problem areas with at least 40 complaints get their own page.
Common terms in reports
- sliding72
- door92
- battery84
- closing32
- children43
- closed42
- parasitic16
- open48
Vehicle age at incident
Median age at incident: 7 months
What owners report
While my 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid was parked, my [XXX] child attempted to unbuckle the rear passenger seat belt to exit the vehicle. The buckle mechanism jammed completely and would not release.
I had two very serious incidents. July 8th: Horn just started blaring unprompted. Locking/unlocking doors, turning motor on, disconnecting battery did nothing to stop it.
On 8/25/2026 I dropped the vehicle at Plaza Kia, 2699 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210 (Kia Repair Facility #7119189) for four open recalls: PI2501, PI2602, SC320, and SC368. Brakes were functioning normally at drop-off.
The digital instrument panel display on the right side that shows map direction goes blank or start flickering. Audio also fails to function. When it goes blank, the rear camera also stops showing and causes difficulting in reversing the car.
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Carnival with an external Harmar Swing Away Lift, Model Number: AL100, with a mobility scooter attached.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Segment peers · Minivans
| # | Models | Complaints | Complaints per year on the road | Complaint index | Trend | Recent activity | Recalls | Most common issue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Sienna | 603 | 28.8 | 0.68 | Worsening | Rising | 17 | Other |
| 2 | Kia Carnival | 433 | 44.0 | 1.05 | Improving | Steady | 6 | Electrical |
| 3 | Chrysler Pacifica | 2,650 | 54.3 | 1.29 | Improving | Steady | 35 | Engine |
| 4 | Honda Odyssey | 3,165 | 77.1 | 1.83 | Improving | Rising | 27 | Electrical |
Recalls by year received
- Campaigns: 6
- Do-not-drive / park-outside: 1
- Over-the-air fix: 0
Investigations
- Power Sliding Door Auto Reverse Failure Closed
On April 10, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) after receiving 5 consumer complaints alleging the Power Sliding Doors (PSD) auto-reverse function failed to work properly in the model year (MY) 2022 Kia Carnival minivan vehicles.At that time, ODI was aware of 3 complaints alleging injuries to consumer?s arm, hand or shoulder caused by the closin…
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Carnival model year has the most complaints?
The 2025 model year has the highest rate (107.6 complaints per year) and the 2023 model year the lowest (13.6).
Is the Kia Carnival getting better or worse?
The trend is improving. Measured on complaints filed in the first two years on the road and compared with other vehicles of the same model year, the 2024 models run 39% below the 2022 models (50 early complaints per model year versus 86). In the last 12 months owners filed 125 complaints versus 108 in the previous 12 months — a steady pace.
What are the most common Kia Carnival problems?
Across all tracked model years the most common problem area is Electrical (28.2% of complaints), followed by Body & structure (17.3%) and Interior & equipment (16.9%). Recurring terms in owner reports: “sliding”, “door”, “battery”, “closing” and “children”.
How does the Kia Carnival compare with other Minivans?
Within the Minivans segment it ranks #2 of 4 for fewest complaints per year; the segment average is 52.1. Segment peers with fewer complaints per year include Toyota Sienna; Chrysler Pacifica and Honda Odyssey have more.
Does the Kia Carnival have recalls or open investigations?
Recalls: 6 recall campaigns across the tracked model years, most of them received in 2021 (2), 1 with a do-not-drive or park-outside warning. 1 NHTSA defect investigation has covered this model; the latest is “Power Sliding Door Auto Reverse Failure” (opened 2022-04-10, closed 2023-06-13).