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NHTSA recalls & complaints · 2022–2026

Kia Carnival recalls, complaints and VIN decoding

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns and 409 owner complaints for the Kia Carnival, covering model years 2022 to 2026. The 2022 model year drew the most complaints (135), and Electrical System is the component owners name most often.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint flat files, updated September 25, 2026.

Decode your Kia Carnival VIN

See the model year, plant and build details of one vehicle, then the recalls for its exact year.

  • 7 recall campaigns on file
  • 409 owner complaints (unverified reports to NHTSA)
  • 5 model years with data (2022–2026)
  • most complaints: 2022 (135 for that model year)
  • top component: Electrical System (134 complaints)
  • latest recall 26V232000 (reported Apr 10, 2026)
  • 10 complaints reporting a crash (2.4%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a fire (0.0%)
  • 52 complaints reporting an injury (12.7%)
  • 0 complaints reporting a death (0.0%)

Kia Carnival complaints by model year

5 model years · NHTSA complaints

The 2022 model year has the most complaints: 135 of 409, or 33.0%. Next come 2025 (124) and 2024 (73). The fewest are for 2026, with 26 complaints.

Owner complaints per model yearHighest yearOther years
Kia Carnival owner complaints to NHTSA by model year, 2022–2026Column chart of 409 complaints across 5 model years. The highest is 2022 with 135. The full figures are in the table below the chart.2022: 135 complaints13520222023: 51 complaints5120232024: 73 complaints7320242025: 124 complaints12420252026: 26 complaints262026
Kia Carnival complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Kia Carnival complaints by model year, with complaints reporting a crash, fire, injury or death
Model yearComplaintsReporting a crashReporting a fireReporting an injuryReporting a death
202213540280
2023511070
20247320100
20251240050
2026263020
All model years409100520

Crash, fire, injury and death columns count complaints that report at least one of them, not people.

Most-reported Kia Carnival components

top 15 · NHTSA categories

Electrical System is the component named most often, in 134 complaints (32.8% of all 409), followed by Structure (59) and Engine (45).

Components named most often in Kia Carnival complaints (top 15)
Components named most often in Kia Carnival complaints (top 15)
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints
Electrical System13432.8%
Unknown or Other11127.1%
Structure5914.4%
Engine4511.0%
Fuel/Propulsion System317.6%
Power Train194.6%
Visibility/Wiper174.2%
Seats153.7%
Steering133.2%
Vehicle Speed Control133.2%
Forward Collision Avoidance122.9%
Latches/Locks/Linkages102.4%
Exterior Lighting92.2%
Lane Departure82.0%
Visibility82.0%

One complaint can name several components, so the shares add up to more than 100%. Component names are NHTSA’s top-level categories.

What NHTSA owner complaints mean

These figures count complaints that vehicle owners and other members of the public have submitted to NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. NHTSA uses complaints, together with other data, to spot safety issues that may warrant an investigation and to check whether existing recalls go far enough.

  • They are reports, not findings. Each complaint is the submitter's own account. Its presence in the database does not mean NHTSA has confirmed a defect.
  • Counts are not defect rates. The data doesn't say how many vehicles were sold, so a raw count can't tell you what share of vehicles had a problem.
  • Popular models collect more complaints. A model sold in large numbers will usually gather more complaints than a rare one, simply because more people own it.
  • One complaint can name several components. Totals by component can therefore add up to more than the number of complaints.
  • Coverage starts in 1995. NHTSA's complaint file contains complaints received since January 1, 1995.

Use complaint patterns as a prompt for questions: whether a recall covers the issue, whether the vehicle you are considering has had the fix, and what a mechanic finds on inspection. For confirmed safety defects, see the recall list for this model.

Kia Carnival recalls

7 campaigns · newest first

Every vehicle recall campaign NHTSA lists under the model name Carnival, newest first. The 7 campaigns cover model years 2022 to 2026. The 2022 model year appears in the most campaigns (6).

  • 7 recall campaigns
  • 1 “Park Outside” advisory
Kia Carnival recall campaigns covering each model year
2022: 6 campaigns2023: 4 campaigns2024: 2 campaigns2025: 1 campaign2026: 2 campaigns
Highlighted: the model year with the most campaigns.

  1. NHTSA campaign 26V232000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings

    Model years 2022–2026

    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.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  2. NHTSA campaign 26V046000

    Reported

    Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel

    Model year 2026

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."

    Consequence:
    An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  3. NHTSA campaign 24V025000

    Reported

    Structure › Body › Roof and Pillars

    Model years 2022–2024

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.

    Consequence:
    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.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  4. NHTSA campaign 23V236000

    Reported

    Structure › Body › Door

    Model years 2022–2023

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling all 2022 and certain 2023 Carnival vehicles. The auto-reverse feature for the power sliding doors (PSD) may not activate in all situations.

    Consequence:
    A power sliding door that does not auto-reverse can close on an occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will update the power sliding door control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC266.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  5. NHTSA campaign 23V179000

    Reported

    Trailer Hitches

    Model years 2022–2023

    NHTSA “Park Outside” advisory: because of the fire risk, park affected vehicles outside and away from buildings until the recall repair is done.

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Carnival vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

    Consequence:
    A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and verify whether the vehicle is equipped with a Genuine Kia accessory trailer tow hitch assembly. If equipped, dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC265.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  6. NHTSA campaign 21V908000

    Reported

    Latches/Locks/Linkages › Electronic Lock/Latch Actuator; Structure › Body › Door

    Model year 2022

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Carnival vehicles. The remote controller assembly for the passenger-side power sliding door may malfunction, preventing the passenger-side sliding door from securely latching.

    Consequence:
    A power sliding door that fails to latch may open while moving, increasing the risk of injury.
    Remedy:
    Dealers will replace the passenger-side power sliding door release actuator's drum and holder inside the remote controller assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC221.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

  7. NHTSA campaign 21V277000

    Reported

    Fuel System, Gasoline › Fuel Injection System › Fuel Rail

    Model year 2022

    Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Carnival vehicles. The plastic fuel rail tube may have been damaged.

    Consequence:
    A damaged fuel rail tube may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
    Remedy:
    Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the multi-port injection fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC211.

    Filed by Kia America, Inc.

Recall text is shown as NHTSA publishes it. NHTSA’s Vehicle Safety Hotline, 1-888-327-4236, also answers recall questions.

How to read this recall list

This list shows every safety recall campaign NHTSA has on file for this make, model and model year. It is not specific to one vehicle: a recall often covers only vehicles built in a certain date range or with a certain part, and many of the vehicles it covers will already have been repaired.

What each recall field means
What each recall field means
FieldWhat it tells you
Campaign numberNHTSA's unique ID for the recall, such as 20V771000. Quote it to a dealer or when searching NHTSA's site.
ComponentThe system or part involved, for example air bags, brakes or electrical software.
SummaryWhat the defect or non-compliance is and which vehicles are covered.
ConsequenceThe safety risk if the problem isn't fixed.
RemedyWhat the manufacturer will do, such as a repair, replacement or software update, and whether it is free.
  • Some recalls carry an NHTSA consumer advisory, “Do Not Drive” or “Park Outside”. Follow it until the repair is done.
  • A single campaign often covers several models or model years, so the same campaign number can appear in more than one list.
  • Recalls are shown as NHTSA publishes them. Very recent campaigns may take time to appear.

Does your vehicle have an open recall? Only a VIN check can tell you. Enter the VIN at NHTSA's recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or on the manufacturer's website. Our VIN recall check guide explains what each option covers.

Kia Carnival questions

5 questions

How many recalls does the Kia Carnival have?

NHTSA lists 7 vehicle recall campaigns for the Kia Carnival, covering model years 2022 to 2026. The most recent, 26V232000, was reported on April 10, 2026 and is filed under “Fuel system, gasoline”. The 2022 model year is covered by the most campaigns (6).

Which Kia Carnival model year has the most complaints?

The 2022 model year, with 135 of the 409 complaints in NHTSA’s file (33.0%). The next are 2025 (124) and 2024 (73). Complaint counts also reflect how many vehicles of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road, so they are not a reliability ranking.

What is the most common Kia Carnival complaint?

Electrical System is the component named most often: 134 complaints, or 32.8% of all 409. Structure (59) and Engine (45) follow. Complaints are unverified reports from owners, not confirmed defects, and one complaint can name several components.

Does every recall on this page apply to my Kia Carnival?

Not necessarily. Each campaign lists specific model years, and many cover only vehicles built in a certain period or fitted with a certain part; repairs already carried out aren’t shown. To see whether a recall is open on your vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup (opens in a new tab) or ask a Kia dealer.

How many Kia Carnival complaints report a crash, fire, injury or death?

Of the 409 complaints, 10 report a crash, 0 a fire, 52 at least one injury and 0 at least one death. These figures count complaints, not people, and each complaint is the submitter’s own unverified account.

Other Kia models

8 models · most complaints first

The Kia models with the most NHTSA complaints, and the Kia VIN decoder with every Kia model page, WMI code and VIN note.

  • Kia Sorento 2003–2026 · 40 recalls · 10,159 complaints
  • Kia Optima 2001–2020 · 22 recalls · 7,499 complaints
  • Kia Soul 2010–2025 · 15 recalls · 5,532 complaints
  • Kia Sportage 1995–2026 · 36 recalls · 4,687 complaints
  • Kia Forte 2009–2024 · 18 recalls · 2,539 complaints
  • Kia Sedona 2002–2021 · 23 recalls · 2,406 complaints
  • Kia Telluride 2020–2027 · 19 recalls · 2,009 complaints
  • Kia Sephia 1995–2003 · 7 recalls · 1,687 complaints

All Kia models and WMI codesLook up recalls by year

Data: NHTSA recalls and complaints flat files, updated September 25, 2026. Recall campaigns are vehicle (V) campaigns listed for this model name; complaints are counted once per NHTSA ODI number and model year.