NHTSA has received 75 owner complaints about the 2024 Kia Carnival, or 26.9 per year on the road — fewer complaints than typical (complaint index 0.67, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 89 model-year 2024 vehicles we track, it ranks #52 of 89 by complaints per year (#1 = fewest). Against other Kia models its rate is 23% lower; against other Minivans it is 48% lower.
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
Complaints filed between 2023-06-15 and 2026-10-01. Median delay from incident to filing: 3 days.
75Complaints
26.9Complaints per year on the road
0.67Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls
2.7%Share involving a crash or fire
28Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2023) drew 13.5 complaints per year, fewer than this one. The following model year (2025) drew 108.0 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2024 model collected 50 complaints, 29% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (22.7% of complaints), followed by Unspecified or other (22.7%) and Engine (12.0%). 2 reports (2.7%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 12 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 9 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (51% of incidents). In the last 12 months 28 new complaints were filed, versus 13 in the 12 months before — up 115%.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.67
vs. other Kia models0.77
vs. other 2024 models0.69
vs. other Minivans0.52
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (50)0.71
On XXX, the passenger-side power sliding door of my 2024 Kia Carnival EX closed on my [XXX] child’s torso/chest while she was exiting the vehicle and did not stop or reverse before trapping her.
Unspecified or other · 2026-09-29 · ODI 11767906
I was cleaning my van and my 2 year old daughter closed the opposite door and the sensors did not stop the door and she got her fingers smashed into the door and potentially broke her fingers, took her to the ER and we are to repeat X-rays in 7 to 10 days.
Unspecified or other · 2026-09-07 · ODI 11762516
NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint Vehicle: 2024 Kia Carnival Mileage at Failure: Approximately 74,000 miles Incident Date: [XXX] I am filing this complaint regarding a significant safety-related failure involving the power sliding door on my 2024 Kia Carnival.
Electrical · 2026-10-01 · ODI 11768250
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked violently and experienced a loss of motive power, with reduced power. Several unknown warning lights illuminated.
Engine · 2026-09-15 · ODI 11764470
My 2024 Kia Carnival smells strongly like gasoline after about 15–20 minutes of driving. The smell gets worse at idle, worse the longer I drive, and seems even stronger with the A/C on.
Fuel system · 2026-09-10 · ODI 11763500
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS Campaign 26V232000 · 2026-04-10
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Carnival vehicles. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the fuel pipe and fuel rail.
Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC368. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 24, 2026.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS Campaign 24V025000 · 2024-01-18
Summary: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
Risk: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.
