Kia Carnival Engine problems
65 of the 433 complaints about the Kia Carnival (15.0%) concern Engine, making it the model's #4 problem area. That share is 0.7× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Analysis
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2025 model (34, 19% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (6). 27 Engine complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 20 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
Owners most often describe: “accelerate”, “engine”, “gas”, “hybrid” and “check”. None of these reports describes a crash or fire.
No recall campaign addresses Engine for the tracked model years.
When complaints were filed
Last 12 months: 27 · Previous 12 months: 20
Common terms in reports
- accelerate20
- engine37
- gas17
- hybrid13
- check21
- van8
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal gas odor would emit through the vehicle's ventilation system.
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while her daughter was inside the vehicle, the door closed on her rib cage and arm, but medical attention was not provided. Additionally, the taillights were inoperable.
My 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid is experiencing repeated electrical and hybrid battery failures. The battery has died multiple times, and the vehicle has shut off while driving, including at higher speeds.
Van made a loud pop noise and lost power. The HSG belt tensioner spring fell off it's seat loosing tension on the HSG belt. Was unsafe but luckily it happened before getting on the freeway, and coasted into a parking lot.
The contact owns a 2023 KIA Carnival. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V320000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted.
I am filing this complaint to report a recurring, life-threatening safety defect in my 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid involving the battery and hybrid propulsion system. This defect has occurred twice, and despite dealer repair attempts, it has not been resolved.
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
No recall campaign addresses Engine for the tracked model years.
Problem areas · Kia Carnival
Related reading
- Why modern engines burn oil, and what owner complaints revealThe design choices that make many recent engines consume oil, the warning signs owners describe, what counts as normal, and which tracked models draw the most engine complaints right now.
Frequently asked questions
How common are Engine problems on the Kia Carnival?
65 of the 433 complaints about the Kia Carnival (15.0%) concern Engine, making it the model's #4 problem area. That share is 0.7× the Engine share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Kia Carnival model years have the most Engine complaints?
By model year, Engine complaints peak with the 2025 model (34, 19% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2023 model (6).
Is there a recall for Kia Carnival Engine problems?
No recall campaign addresses Engine for the tracked model years.