Kia Carnival Complaints

397 consumer complaints on file.

#11535402July 31, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rear sliding doors DO NOT STOP when something is in the way. All my body weight could not stop the door. Yes I had the recall fixed which only slowed it down and added a beeping sound. The sensitivity of the doors NEEDS TO BE FIXED NOW BEFORE A CHILD IS SERIOUSLY HURT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11535166July 28, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Purchased in Aug 2022 brand new I express concern very early on that the back door would reopen after starting the car I express concern about shifting/breaking being automatic/ice light coming on when you hit bumps coming in parking lots and the doors not unlocking. All were evaluated and basically all for nothing “ could not be duplicated” I called, left voicemails, emailed the dealership with concerns Advised there was a recall on Back door which was one of my complaints did recall update still and issue The back door should not re open and stay open that is not a safety feature this day and age it’s asking to be mug, robbed ect. After the 3rd time in a week happening I called the dealership spoke to the president and advised I no longer felt safe I just want to turn in the lease have it bought back and my down payment returned. I have 3 children safety features they claim are not safe in my eyes. One example driving by myself out of a parking lot the back door reopened as I was backing out and I assumed it would just reshut - no it stayed wide open. No movement. No unlocking, turning off after auto start under a few mins. I called Kia and have yet to speak to the agent, phone tag, no emails back. Reviews online show multiple people have these issues.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11534568July 26, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
On Monday 07/24/2023 (a clear sunny day) our less than 1 month old Kia Carnival spontaneously developed a crack in the middle of the drivers side of the windshield and over the course of a few hours this crack grew to over half the windshield. outdoor temperature was around 82 degrees. There was no impact that I know of and when you look at the windshield there is no evidence of an impact. No chip, no star, nothing. It looks like the crack started from the literal edge and spread to the middle. Having a brand new vehicle PLUS having bought all the extended warranties I thought, ok we are covered. The Kia dealership said "must have been an impact" and "we don't do glass". They also told me "it's safe to drive, the windshield won't shatter". Ok it's got a crack you can literally see growing and they are trying to tell me its perfectly safe to drive? This is clearly a manufacturing defect and the manufacture did not seem interested in it. I have serious concerns about the safety and reliability of this windshield even after replacement. when I was researching companies to replace the windshield because the dealer told us "we don't do glass" I found this is a common complaint (there's even a class action lawsuit against the Telluride for windshield failure). If I thought this was a manufacturing defect before I am convinced of it now.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11530248July 3, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
During a road trip, I stopped at a gas station to fill up. I went inside to get a drink and a large 12 inch crack appeared in the windshield about midway down on the passenger side. It was not there previously and nothing appears to have hit it either. The crack now spans to the drivers side and sits at about eye level. It also has a gap in the crack which is very noticeable on the passenger side.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11529374June 28, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The metal rails where the middle seat of the middle row is located occasionally gets too hot to touch. My daughter who was sleep had her sandals off. She woke up because her foot was hot. Shortly after her toe blistered. You won’t notice it if you have shoes on. It has happened while we were traveling and it happens when we’re just idle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11528624June 24, 2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
While driving at low speed (35mph or less), we heard a dull “pop”. We then noticed a large crack on the passenger side of the windshield beginning at the edge of the glass. After parking in our garage, I inspected the crack, which was at least 8 inches in length. As suspected, there was no sign of any sort of impact. The windshield spontaneously cracked. After approximately 2 hours of the car parked and off in the garage, I checked the windshield again. The crack had grown by another 3 inches in that short amount of time. It is important to note that we have only had this brand new 2024 Kia Carnival for one week at the time of this issue. I was disappointed to find many accounts online of this same problem in various new model Kias, particularly Tellurides and Carnivals. There is even a class action lawsuit. The visibility and structural integrity of a windshield are paramount safety elements of any car. I cannot confidently put my family in this car if I cannot trust the safety of the windshield. Additionally, no car owner who has spent $40,000+ on a brand new vehicle should be dealing with this kind of problem. I have no confidence that this won’t be a perpetual issue over the lifetime of this car, which I bought with the intent to keep for at least 10 years to serve my growing family.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11527277June 15, 2023
SEAT BELTS
Seat belt is torn
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11526804June 13, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Unknown. My vehicle has cut off in the middle of traffic several times. Another incident was when my vehicle was shaking uncontrollably and couldn't go over 40. The check engine light never comes on. One dealership looked at it and said nothing was wrong even though one of the techs heard the vehicle. They said because the check engine light wasn't on that there was nothing that they could do. Took it to the kia dealership in Huntsville. They know something is wrong but because no check engine light or codes. They don't know where the problem is . My main issue is when something is wrong. No lights or codes show up. I haven't had it a year yet. Safety concerns with it cutting off in the middle of traffic .
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11525666June 6, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Got in car and drove less than a mile and exited car. Got back in and my windshield had a huge crack running from the lower drivers side up the window then across. Nothing hit the window though a nut or something could have fallen on it or a small rock when driving another day? Very concerning when I look online and others that own the 22 kia carnival have had this happen
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11523833May 25, 2023
ENGINE
In December of 2021 my 6 month old Kia Carnival lost power while on the Ohio turnpike when the engine shut down. At that time the dealership was unable to identify the cause. Since then the vehicle has been into the shop multiple times, has an issue with Cylinder 6 and is burning coolant internally which is likely the original reason for the unexpected engine failure. Kia has been ordered through arbitration to repurchase the vehicle, however are unwilling to even offer enough to cover the loan and take back their defective vehicle. I have seen reports online of other Carnivals having similar issues. There are no recalls for this, and Kia seems to have no intention of making sure this is addressed.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521646May 12, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Kia issued a safety recall recognizing the power sliding doors on the Kia Carnival do not properly reverse when they encounter an object while closing. Their solution to the identified problem is to simply sound two beeps when the door closer and reduce the speed of closure. This is entirely unacceptable resolution to the problem. Adding two beeps will do nothing to protect my two year old son from having his hand mangled in the door. Now that Kia has accepted this is a safety issue, I full expect a remedy no short of fixing the problem and find the current "fix" entirely unacceptable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521338May 10, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Had maintenance and recall "fix" for sliding door issue done on 5/9/2023. Technicians explained to me that the actual sensor that detects when something is in the way of the door closing and in turn force the door to stop and reverse is called the "pinch sensor". That is separate from the speed of the door closing and the sound of it beeping as it closes (what the software update changes/"fixes"). They put a note to check my pinch sensor in addition to doing the software update. Even though I explained and they tested the pinch sensor, they did not do anything to change the sensitivity of that sensor. I put my arm in the door's path, letting it close until just a few inches are left, hoping that it'll detect my arm and reverse back open. It does not. I did this multiple times, same result. The second video is me just pushing on the sensor, from an angle I tried to do from inward to outward (as if I were in the vehicle reaching towards the door and pushing on that sensor). That is how the technician explained to me that the sensor works - it works to reverse if someone is "getting out of the vehicle and pushes on that sensor", it will reverse. That's good it can/will reverse that way, but I am still frustrated because there are issues with that being the only way it reverses. 1) Little kids aren't going to understand the logistics of how/where to push on the sensor "correctly", and 2) I'm more worried about how my kids get out of the vehicle, then push the close button, then reach BACK INSIDE for something (like my arm was reaching inside from the outside). Kia should recall the pinch sensor and replace with a sensor that is actually sensitive to an object being in the path of the closing door (from the outside too). Additionally, I have seen some Carnival owners post online that there doors ARE sensitive and reverse/open at the slightest touch. Since this vehicle is capable of that, Kia should fix this on all Carnivals on which it does not operate that way.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11521238May 9, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact's daughter owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving 65-70 MPH, within 48 hours of purchasing the vehicle brand new, the vehicle lost motive power. Additionally, the brakes and power steering became inoperable. Several unknown warning lights illuminated, and alarms sounded. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that it was a known failure, and that the manufacturer was working on a fix. The contact stated that the taillights also failed to work intermittently. The contact also stated that the reverse lights would engage unintendedly. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the failure was due to a system update error and that the fix was currently being developed. The failure mileage was approximately 100.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11520607May 5, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, STRUCTURE:BODY
The tailgate door attempted to close on my head when I was putting something in the trunk when my husband walked away with the key. I had a key with me too.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11519833May 1, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
today while I was driving my sunroof shattered, big explosion, luckily my sunshade was close and not to many vehicles were around me. I call dealer, they didn't want to hear it and told me to call my insurance !!??? My car is barely 2 month old???
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11518254April 21, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
Vehicle’s horn intermittently stops working. The length of outage varies. Restarting the vehicle does not resolve the issue. Safety is at risk due to having no way to alerting other drivers of potential hazards.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11517982April 20, 2023
STRUCTURE:BODY
The side sliding (rear) doors do not stop when there is an object in between. Even when you put heavy force (this is in some angles), the door continues to close. With mild force, the door just refuses to recognize and closes out. It is a big safety concern with small children, since if the force applied by adults is not enough, then any force the child would apply is definitely not going to stop the door from closing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11516991April 14, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
Horn intermittently works. Some times it works and sometimes it doesn't work. This is a safety hazard if horn does not work. I cannot warn others before collision resulting in many close calls or evasive maneuvers. Other owners experiencing similar issue in Carnival Facebook group. Irvine Kia had my car for a week and s could not fix our reproduce because it was working there. Afterwards, it will still intermittently work. Not sure if weather is affecting it or outside temperature. It doesn't matter, the horn needs to work 100% of the time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516859April 13, 2023
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Carnival. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power without warning. The contact was able to stop on the side of the road. After several attempts to restart the vehicle, the contact was able to start the vehicle and noticed that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and the dealer stated that because the check engine warning light was not illuminated, the vehicle would not be diagnosed. On another occasion, while driving 65 MPH, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure reoccurred. On another occasion, the contact stated while adjusting the driver’s seat to a higher position, the seat failed to remain at the higher position. The contact also stated while driving 35 MPH, the vehicle would not immediately accelerate. After several seconds, the vehicle accelerated normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the console, horn assembly, and an unknown part needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no further assistance. The failure mileage was 1,872.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11516486April 11, 2023
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The sliding power doors do not reverse when hitting a person or object. You have to use excessive force to get them to reverse and only some of the time do they even reverse. I have taken this to the dealership and they said they would contact me within 48 hours with an update but it's been a month and in spite of me attempting to contact them for a follow up they have not returned calls or emails. Safety of myself and others have been put at risk when the door is closed it does not stop and will crush whatever is in the door. Dealer was able to reproduce the problem about half of the time. Occasionally, if you hit the door in a specific spot, it might reverse but when an actual person stands in the door it does not reverse. No warning lights or messages occur I purchased the Carnival July 1 of 2022 and was not aware at the time of the sliding door problem. It wasn't until I read of others having the issue that I tested mine. I was honestly shocked that the doors in most cases did not reverse. I've tested it multiple times and I've had to get out of the way when in spite of using a lot of force it didn't reverse. I also have a 2004 Honda Odyssey that I've had for almost 20 years and this door works perfectly. Reverses with even a minor resistance. I expected all minivans to perform the same way. There are multiple incidents found online where these doors have crushed people. I'm aware of a recall just released but this does NOT fix the issue! It only adds 2 beeps and slows down the door. This is unacceptable in a real life situation so this "recall" is not acceptable. I realize KIA does not want to pay to have these doors fixed but when a child dies or suffers a severe injury they will be forced to.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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