Kia Carnival Complaints

397 consumer complaints on file.

#11638495January 25, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
air condition system was putting refrigerant into cab over the summer making us sick. We could not tell ,because there was no smell. I was in car with a/c on and got a blast of refrigerant in my face were in I almost pasted out. I turned of a/c and opened windows. My being a retired mechanic helped me to control the situation, but average person probably would have passed out and recked the car. I was treated for exposer to a chemical and my wife was too. I can not tell if a/c is fixed, as there is no smell or visibale way to tell.08
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11627633November 27, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
While driving at highway speeds the exterior and interior lighting/electrial system shut down completely. My headlights shut off, as well as all electrical/lighting inside the vehicle for approximately 1 minute before turning back on as if I had turned the car off and restarted it. I have a low tire pressure warning that comes on when the car is started, and it came on again as if my car had just started, while I was still driving. This poses a safety risk to myself and other drivers depending on the headlights for visibility. The incident did not cause my vehicle to stop driving although I did break due to the sudden loss of all electrical components.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625838November 18, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Brand new car and the battery is draining. Leaving the vehicle unable to start.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625614November 15, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The battery has died twice within 3 months. I couldn’t leave my house to collect my kids. The problem has been commented on by a dealership. No.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11625430November 15, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery went dead. Been at dealer 2 weeks. They are waiting to hear from Kia but nothing is being done.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11623696November 5, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
There seems to be a very common problem of the 2025 Kia Carnival having a battery drain issue, leaving people stranded. I had a dead battery today with only one month and 300 miles of use. Thousands have had the same experience and have discussed this on various forums.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11623423November 4, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
12V Vehicle battery drained. Unable to start Vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11623349November 3, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE
I'm getting an alert in the car app that says low battery and will not perform any lock/unlock/start, etc features. It says the battery level is under 40%.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11623060November 1, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
In the general design of the Kia Carnival, among other vehicles from the same manufacture (i.e. Kia Sportage) and different manufacturers (i.e. Chevy Bolt), the false taillight cluster has created a safety issue when signaling. With specific mention of the turn signals being in the lower third of the vehicle height, and not in the taillamp cluster, drivers may not ever see the turn signals from the rear of the Kia Carnival, as most drivers are looking at the large taillamp cluster, not the bottom of the rear bumper for turn signals. The poor visibility is further enhanced when combined with the height or size of other vehicles (trucks with lift-kits, large front end vehicles, or large A-pillars) or poor driving from either the vehicle mentioned, or others. Attached photo taken from the Autopian [XXX] ) as a visual reference. No warning lamps appear, and no failures occurred, as it is normal function. This is a manufacturer-created/designed problem. I believe it was done intentionally by the manufacturers to circumvent other design limitations on signaling lamps not being placed on moving surfaces such as liftgates or trunks, and thus crated a new safety issue with large false taillamp clusters that are just the dim lights for illuminating the vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11622340October 28, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The windshield started cracking while the car was parked and continued cracking over the next week. The crack now runs from the center top, 3/4 of the way across the driver's side
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619545October 13, 2024
POWER TRAIN
We have been having an acceleration issue for over a year now. The vehicle will be running fine and the randomly not go over 30 MPH. You could have your foot the floor and the vehicle will not shift or go above 3 rpm’s. This has caused us to be in many dangerous scenarios getting onto an interstate. This has almost caused us to be rear ended multiple times. Problem has be reproduced at the dealer and “repaired” though the problem continues to happen. Sometimes the engine warning light is on when it happens, others times it is not and happens with zero warning.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11619456October 12, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEAT BELTS
Almost all cars next to me are unable to interpret my signal lights due to I) rear signal lights being so low and not at brake lint level, and ii) from signal lights being near the grill and not the corners. This is a huge problem when changing lanes. Same with the reverse light being only on the rear bumper level - it is common for pedestrians and cars to not notice that the car is about to reverse. This is very dangerous and should not have been passed. Kia must remedy this issue at once considering how many lives are at risk.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618206October 5, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Center rails for center seats get so hot they burn bare skin. (Center rails in the floor)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11617123September 29, 2024
STEERING
Got in my vehicle one day and noticed fluid dripping from the steering column. I took it into JT's Kia in Rock Hill, SC. At first they told me they were going to wipe off the "grease" then told me they needed to order a whole new steering column. I asked if it was still safe to drive and the service technician said no. I have heard this is a common problem with 2024 Kia Carnivals. Hopefully if enough people report the problem, a recall will be issued.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11616889September 27, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
Roof molding has either completely detactch or partial detached from top of vehicle 4 times now. They have attempted to glue it back on but it still fails! This is dangerous for other drivers and my family
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11616158September 24, 2024
STEERING
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that an unknown fluid was leaking from the left side of the steering column while driving at various speeds. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where the parts on the steering column were wiped down and the contact was instructed to return the vehicle to the dealer if the failure persisted. The failure returned and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. A diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The contact was informed that the steering column needed to be replaced; however, the part for repair was on backorder. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11614364September 13, 2024
STEERING
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that oil and grease were leaking from the steering column onto the floorboard mats. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was an excessive grease leak. The vehicle was cleaned and repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 7,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11611930August 31, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
The sliding doors do not reverse like they should. The sensors are not good. Yes Kia added the warning sounds but it isn’t good enough. My LO’s entire hand was shut in the door.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11611015August 26, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Floor rails are so hot, I had to cover them so my toddler and child could walk across them to get out of the van. The middle seats were taken out and the metal in the floor track gets so hot to even touch. Underneath the car when the car is running is enough to burn one’s legs also.. this is a big issue with us and our Kia and little children.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11611009August 26, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I purchased brand new 2025 Kia Carnival SX less than 2 months ago and it is back at the dealership for service for the second time. First time it had an airbag light stay on the dash and the battery kept reading low voltage and would not allow us to use any features on Kia Access app such as remote start and 360 view. The dealership fixed the airbag light but did not find any electrical issues with battery after testing. The car is driven daily and after sitting for approximately 16 hours the car battery is completely dead. Tried to do a quick jump and would not crank over. I am convinced it has a parasitic draw. It is currently at second service center in hopes of a resolution. So far Kia has not been very supportive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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