Kia Carnival Complaints

515 consumer complaints on file.

#11774181October 28, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:HYBRID MANAGEMENT
The contact owns 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The vehicle unexpectedly switched to Safe Mode and decelerated. In addition, the check the hybrid system and the message to “Stop the Vehicle” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the hybrid system was repaired and the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure also occurred while accelerating from the vehicle idling. The contact stated that the failure was a known failure with the vehicle. The manufacturer was contacted, and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773840October 26, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN
I have taken my car 3 times to 3 different Kia dealerships for this issue. First on 9/13/2026, then 10/13/2026 and on 10/26/2026. While driving at highway speed my vehicle suddenly begins to loose power and the check engine light comes on. This is dangerous for myself as well as other drivers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11773340October 23, 2026
SEATS
Subject: Formal Consumer Complaint: Alleged False Representation of Completed Vehicle Safety Repair I am filing a formal consumer protection complaint regarding a XXX Kia dealership's representation that a safety-related repair was completed on my vehicle. Vehicle: 2026 Kia Carnival SX VIN: [XXX] The dealership represented that a safety-related repair had been completed. However, information subsequently obtained from another dealership raised concerns that the original repair was not actually performed as represented. I believe this discrepancy warrants investigation because it involves the accuracy of dealership service records, potentially misleading representations to a consumer, and possible vehicle safety implications. I request that the XXX Attorney General's Office investigate whether the dealership engaged in deceptive or unfair business practices, including whether service documentation inaccurately represented work as completed. I can provide supporting repair orders, dealership communications, and documentation of the conflicting repair information. I am also pursuing a separate XXX Lemon Law matter involving this vehicle. This complaint specifically concerns the dealership's representations about the safety repair. I request written acknowledgment of this complaint and referral to the appropriate enforcement agency if necessary. 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
#11772946October 22, 2026
POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
My 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid was purchased new in January 2025. The problem began almost immediately, with the vehicle first presented to an authorized Kia dealer for this condition at only 810 miles. The vehicle repeatedly and unpredictably enters reduced-power or “limp mode,” causing a sudden loss of normal acceleration and limiting it to approximately 35 mph. This creates a serious safety risk on highways, while merging, crossing intersections, or whenever acceleration is needed to respond to traffic. Equally concerning, the vehicle does not consistently display a warning or retain a hard diagnostic error code when the loss of power occurs. Sometimes a check-engine light or “Check Hybrid System - Stop Safely” message appears, but at other times the vehicle enters limp mode with no warning. After turning the vehicle off and restarting it, normal operation may return and the error disappears, leaving the dealer unable to retrieve a stored code showing what occurred. The vehicle has been presented to an authorized Kia dealer for this recurring issue at least five times. In August 2026, it remained in limp mode and had to be towed to the dealer. We were initially told no error code had been found. Near the end of the service period, we were told a code had appeared indicating a faulty sensor, which was replaced, but the reduced-power problem later recurred. The vehicle’s automatically generated August performance report also indicated no vehicle issues despite the August incident. A Kia TechLine case was later opened, but the recurring problem was not identified or permanently corrected. The vehicle is available for inspection.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772300October 20, 2026
ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While I was driving, the car's engine shut off, and I could no longer accelerate. The car went into neutral and the brakes felt harder to press; the steering wheel did, too. Luckily, it happened after I turned into a mall parking lot. Since the car came to a stop and I couldn't accelerate, I turned it off and back on. Then I parked the car and turned it off. After 30 mins I started the car again and drove back home. The instrument cluster showed all types of warnings and failures when the issue happened. Since I panicked when it happened, I did not think about taking photos. Tomorrow I plan on taking the car to the dealer. This is a new car, driven only around 3500 miles. I am afraid this will happen again, and in a worse situation, like on the freeway.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11772396October 20, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On XXX, at about 4:50 PM, my [XXX] son’s hand was caught in the left (driver-side) power sliding door of our 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid (VIN [XXX]; approximately 30,000 miles). The power sliding door was enabled and the door-close function was activated using the interior button. The door did not stop or automatically reverse. It closed completely and stayed latched on his finger. I had to open the door manually to release his hand. An X-ray confirmed a broken finger. I am concerned that the powered sliding door’s obstruction detection and reversal features did not prevent this crushing injury. I request that NHTSA review this incident as a potential child-injury motor vehicle safety defect. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11771975October 18, 2026
SEAT BELTS
The seatbelt anchor for the second row seat immediately behind the driver's seat failed to latch properly sometimes and it would take several attempts to get it latched properly. The safety of me and others was put at risk because I could have been ejected in a crash or moved forward into the drivers seat, causing serious or fatal injury to me and/or the driver. The problem has not been reproduced, and the components have not been inspected, and there were no warnings issued by the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771123October 14, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
In May 2026, after driving through a heavy rainstorm on the highway, the car suddenly cut off cruise control and showed multiple warning lights (for most, if not all assistance systems) and an error message that was some version of "check hybrid system." When searching the code it seemed to be related to an electrical short in the hybrid system. I had no electric power to the engine, but the gas functionality still sort of worked, so I could drive, but there was a 2-3 second delay between pushing the gas pedal and getting any acceleration, and said acceleration was minimal. This occurred at 70+ mph on a busy highway, so the sudden lack of acceleration and control was alarming and put us and the cars around us at risk due to sudden speed change. When we pulled into a safe stop and turned the car off for a few minutes and then back on, the error messages were gone and hybrid system seemed functional again. The check engine light remained, but turned off after the next short trip. There had been no warnings, lights, or symptoms of any issues at any point prior to this occurring. The car was not seen at the time due to being on vacation and not near any Kia dealership. It is being seen in a few weeks, but as this was 5 months ago, I do not anticipate anything being found to explain the issue, particularly after reading other online reports of this issue. A similar issue happened recently (Oct 2026) with no rain present. I had just started driving, and got a warning about lane-keeping assist, but no others. I pulled over, couldn't find any other errors or details, and everything else seemed fine. I continued driving, and 1-2 minutes later, while trying to accelerate onto the highway, I suddenly had no acceleration power with the pedal touching the floor. I was again at risk of a high-speed accident if I had not been able to move the car toward the shoulder quickly. No error code appeared at the time of acceleration loss. Power returned after restarting the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770886October 13, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Child's arm was crushed in the sliding door when it failed to properly stop due to the sensor failing.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11770497October 12, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Driving ar 75mph my car began to decelerate. Depressing the accelerator only made the engine rev loudly but speed continued to drop. This is a significant safety risk. There was a check engine light and message to take the car to a Kia dealer. The car was towed to a dealer. The dealer was able to reproduce the condition. The dealer replaced 24356 2M000-solenoid-cvvt (valve timing control solenoid). On the way home from this dealer the problem reoccurred. First incident on 9/13/26. Vehicle retrieved from dealer and reoccurring problem on 10/9/2026.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770376October 11, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, POWER TRAIN
On XXX my nearly new 2026 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Prestige, with approximately 5,650 miles on the odometer, caught fire while I was driving in [XXX]. The fire originated in the engine compartment, where components of the hybrid electrical system, including the Hybrid Power Control Unit (HPCU)/inverter assembly, were subsequently found severely damaged. The incident occurred unexpectedly during normal vehicle operation and created an extremely dangerous situation. A vehicle fire while driving presents a serious risk of injury or death to the driver, passengers, and other road users. Following the incident, I sought emergency medical attention due to smoke inhalation. I was evaluated at an emergency department, including blood testing for carbon monoxide exposure. The vehicle was subsequently transported to an authorized Kia dealership. Kia America was notified of the incident and subsequently offered to repurchase the vehicle under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. However, the manufacturer has not provided me with a definitive technical explanation of what caused the fire. I am extremely concerned that this incident may involve a potentially serious defect in the hybrid electrical or power management system that could affect other Kia Carnival Hybrid vehicles. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this incident, evaluate whether similar fires or electrical failures have been reported, and determine whether further investigation into a potential vehicle safety defect is warranted. I have photographs documenting the fire and resulting damage, medical records from my emergency department visit, and correspondence with Kia America. These materials can be provided upon request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769991October 8, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
We rented a Kia from Budget in [XXX], they rented us a car with 19,000 miles on it. After driving it for a week and over 1000 miles we headed back to the airport. First the right front tire blows and it is completly bald with steel cables showing after two hours a tire store comes and fixes the tire. We get on the road and drive 20 miles and the left front tire blowes and after two more hours the same tire store replaces the other tire. We had to pay out of pocket and have not recieved anything back from Budget rental. This is the car information. XXX Plate: [XXX], Budget Car No: XXX, Rental Agreement: XXX Blue Kia Carnival, Rental Date: Sept.XXX Tires: Solaris 235/65R17 103H 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
#11769717October 7, 2026
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that her child screamed when the rear passenger’s side sliding door failed to detect the child's hand and closed on the child’s hand on four separate occasions. The contact pressed the rear sliding door button to release the door from the child's hand. The failure resulted in a door indentation across the child's four fingers, but no medical attention was received. Prior to the failure, the vehicle was taken to the dealer for the front driver's side door that failed to latch unless the door was slammed closed. The dealer previously inspected the doors, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by email. The failure mileage was 18,529.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11768901October 5, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Within 5 minutes of driving, the car stopped accelerating. Check hybrid system alert appeared one minute later. Car stalled out within approximately 1-2 minutes after warning light appeared. No other warning lights were present prior. This is a 2025 new Kia Carnival Hybrid. I was stranded on the side of a 55mph road. The first time the police helped me roll it off the road. The second time it couldn’t be pushed even though it appeared to be in neutral. The car dies but the accessory functions will not turn off. We have to unplug the battery each time. This car could die ANYWHERE leaving you stranded in a very dangerous situation. There is very little warning. This is extremely hazardous. This is the SECOND time this has occurred with a combined total of 5 hours waiting for tow trucks and countless hours contacting Kia. Kia kept the car for two weeks and recharged the battery. That’s it. It died again within 24 hours of being returned to us. This is UNSAFE and unreliable.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768594October 2, 2026
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES
This complaint is a follow up to complaint #XXX. I took the car in to Dennis Eakin Kia in [XXX] to repair what caused the car to go into Limp Mode after slamming on the brakes. The dealership did a deep scan of the hybrid control and power train control module for historical or iintermittent codes. They could find none because the car apparently does not save them after the ignition is turned off. They are trashed. They also tried 4 times to re-create the event by slamming on the brakes, but were unable to re create it. They returned the car to me without fixing it. This is another deep -imbedded safety hazard of this car that a well-documented safety hazard from many drivers cannot be fixed because the car trashes any evidence of these incidences. This car is a clear danger to drivers, a danger that can only be fixed through a recall to get them off the road until a fix is executed by the manufacturer. 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
#11768358October 1, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
"UPDATE TO EXISTING COMPLAINT NHTSA ID 11747231 LCD CENTER DISPLAY / BACKUP CAMERA FAILURE UPDATE TO NHTSA COMPLAINT ID 11747231 I am submitting an update regarding the same unresolved safety defect reported in NHTSA Complaint ID 11747231 involving my 2025 Kia Carnival SX. Mileage when the problem start approximately 8k miles. The vehicle has now undergone five repair attempts for the same recurring LCD/display failure. Repairs have included replacement of the LCD/display, replacement of the radio/head unit, work involving coaxial connections, and most recently repair of what the dealership diagnosed as “insufficient pin tension.” Kia Tech Line has also been involved. Most recently, I was told the vehicle was repaired and ready for pickup. However, when I arrived at the authorized Kia dealership, the LCD began flickering again while the vehicle was still in the dealership parking lot. Dealership personnel witnessed the failure and recorded video of it. The defect remains unresolved. The display has previously gone blank while driving, caused navigation to become unavailable, and caused the rearview/backup-camera image to become unavailable while reversing. This recurring failure is causing me significant stress and distraction while driving because I do not know when the screen will suddenly begin flickering or go blank again. When the screen unexpectedly flickers or fails while I am driving, it draws my attention away from the road. The loss of the rearview-camera image while reversing also creates a serious safety concern because I unexpectedly lose the camera view behind the vehicle. I regularly transport my family, including young children, and I am extremely concerned about these unpredictable failures. After five repair attempts, the same safety-related defect continues to occur without warning. I respectfully request that NHTSA associate this update with Complaint ID 11747231 and review this continuing safety defect.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768241October 1, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The battery is draining due to external things but it’s not attached to anything and now all screens in the car flash on and off and go black including speedometer
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768250October 1, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint Vehicle: 2024 Kia Carnival Mileage at Failure: Approximately 74,000 miles Incident Date: [XXX] I am filing this complaint regarding a significant safety-related failure involving the power sliding door on my 2024 Kia Carnival. On [XXX], the driver side passenger power sliding door became completely inoperable due to a latch and actuator failure. Prior to service, the door was stuck in the closed position and could not be opened through normal operation. The vehicle was brought to Kia of Columbia, Connecticut, for evaluation. During diagnosis, the service technician was required to force the door open. Once opened, the door could no longer be closed. The dealership determined that the power sliding door motor actuator had failed and required replacement. When I arrived to pick up the vehicle on [XXX], the sliding door remained stuck in the open position and could not be latched or secured. Because the door could not be closed, the vehicle was not safe to operate on public roads and was effectively undrivable. The replacement actuator was ordered on September 21, 2026. The part did not arrive until September 29, 2026, and repairs could not be completed immediately upon arrival. The actuator was finally replaced and repairs completed on September 30, 2026. As a result, the vehicle remained unusable for approximately twelve days due to the inability to safely secure the sliding door. This failure presents multiple safety concerns: The vehicle could not be legally or safely driven because the sliding door would not close or latch. Occupants were exposed to an open side doorway if the vehicle were operated. In an emergency, passengers could be placed at risk due to door system malfunction. Failure of a critical door component rendered the vehicle unusable without warning. I am particularly concerned because Kia has previously recalled Carnival vehicles for safety defects involving power sliding door INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11768008September 30, 2026
POWER TRAIN, SERVICE BRAKES, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I had to slam on my brakes and the car went into Limp Mode, not allowing acceleration above 20 MPh. I drove for a while and then pulled into a parking lot and turned off the car and back on again. I was able to achieve normal acceleration after turning the car back on. We felt unsafe having no control over our speed and cars honking and racing around us. I am afraid to drive my family in this car for fear of having to slam on my brakes at a highway intersection or off/on ramp, which could cause a fatal crash. A Kia dealership is performing a diagnostic now and will advise. The vehicle has not been inspected by another agency. No warning lights went on that I can recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11767623September 29, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On June 20, 2026, the instrument cluster in my 2022 Kia Carnival became completely inoperative. The failure prevents me from viewing vehicle speed, fuel level, gear position, warning indicators, mileage, and other information normally displayed by the cluster. Because the cluster is the driver's primary source for operating and warning information, I believe the complete loss of the display creates a safety risk while driving. An authorized Kia dealership confirmed the failure on August 17, 2026. The dealer documented the complaint as “cluster inop” and “unable to get miles.” The technician found no diagnostic trouble codes and checked the fuse, wiring harness, and connectors, all of which were documented as OK. The dealership concluded: “CLUSTER INTERNAL ISSUE. REC REPLACE CLUSTER.” The dealer recommended replacement and programming of the complete instrument cluster at a customer-pay cost of $9,783.40. Kia has been notified. Customer Care twice declined assistance based on the vehicle being outside warranty. My concern is that this has been treated only as a warranty matter rather than evaluated as a potential safety-related defect. The precise internal cause is UNKNOWN. The cluster has not been disassembled or subjected to engineering analysis. It has not yet been replaced and remains available for inspection upon request. I request that NHTSA review this failure with any similar complaints, manufacturer communications, warranty claims, field reports, Techline cases, or failed-component data involving 2022 Kia Carnival instrument clusters to determine whether a broader safety-related defect pattern exists. Prior warning lamps, messages, or symptoms before complete failure: UNKNOWN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Kia Carnival