NHTSA has received 180 owner complaints about the 2025 Kia Carnival, or 107.6 per year on the road — far more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 2.56, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2025 vehicles we track, it ranks #75 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Kia models its rate is 203% higher; against other Minivans it is 107% higher.
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 2024-07-23 and 2026-08-28. Median delay from incident to filing: 3 days.
180Complaints
107.6Complaints per year on the road
2.56Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
1Recalls
1.1%Share involving a crash or fire
67Last 12 months
Analysis
The previous model year (2024) drew 26.2 complaints per year, fewer than this one.
The most common problem area is Electrical (45.6% of complaints), followed by Engine (18.9%) and Interior & equipment (10.0%). Electrical complaints are 2.9 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. Within Electrical reports, owners most often mention “battery”, “dead”, “parasitic”, “drain” and “died”. 2 reports (1.1%) describe a crash or fire; owners mention 7 injuries and 0 deaths.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 3 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was the first year (77% of incidents). In the last 12 months 67 new complaints were filed, versus 66 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall for this model year. 4% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
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.
Airbags & seat belts · 2026-07-24 · ODI 11752564
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.
Electrical · 2026-07-23 · ODI 11752483 · Fire
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.
Electrical · 2026-08-28 · ODI 11760279
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Carnival with an external Harmar Swing Away Lift, Model Number: AL100, with a mobility scooter attached.
Interior & equipment · 2026-08-25 · ODI 11759487
This is a bran new vehicle purchased and only driven by me. I have video evidence that on the morning of 8/10/26 my windshield was perfectly fine.
Body & structure · 2026-08-10 · ODI 11756017
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.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2025 Kia Carnival?
180 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2025 Kia Carnival, or about 107.6 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2025 Kia Carnival?
The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 45.6% of complaints.
Does the 2025 Kia Carnival have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 1 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2025 Kia Carnival still generating complaints?
In the last 12 months 67 new complaints were filed, versus 66 in the 12 months before — a steady pace.
How does the 2025 Kia Carnival compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 180 owner complaints about the 2025 Kia Carnival, or 107.6 per year on the road — far more complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 2.56, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 85 model-year 2025 vehicles we track, it ranks #75 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Kia models its rate is 203% higher; against other Minivans it is 107% higher.