Kia Carnival Complaints

515 consumer complaints on file.

#11699531November 15, 2025
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
In October 23, 2025 I started to notice a fuel smell while I was driving the vehicle. The smell of fuel seemed more strong while I had the air conditioning running.I would shut off the AC and put the windows down. There was no leaks of fuel on the ground or close to the motor. No check engine light or messages was displayed on dash at anytime. My concern was that I’m constantly driving my small children in car seats to and from school, sports, and appointments the smell the fumes will cause headaches or worse car will catch fire were we would need to make a fast exit out the vehicle. So I made an appointment with Kia of Stockton and they scheduled me for 10/29/26 at 9:30am. Kia first diagnosis was undetermined and charged me another $315 just to keep diagnosing on top of there first fee of $315. Kia discovered after removing the foam that protects the fuel rail the leak was coming from fuel injectors and fuel rail. Fuel injector leaking where injector inserts into rail. Repair was needed due to failure of fuel rail housing not sealing properly. Kia also replaced associated components with the fuel rail clips, bolts, flanges, high pressure sensor, foam, and injector wire harness. According to Kia there tech found short in the injector harness.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698946November 12, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The 12-volt battery fully discharges and leaves the vehicle inoperable ONLY when parked in my attached townhouse garage (overnight or 1–3 days). The vehicle starts and runs normally when parked elsewhere (work, airport, etc.) for the same duration. Symptoms: No warning lights prior to failure Dashboard completely dark; no power to doors, lights, or start button Requires jump-start or tow
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698804November 11, 2025
POWER TRAIN
After purchasing vehicle (4Sep25) the following week's notice wet spots in drive way first assumed to be from A/C but not the it is November and A/C is off the wet spots are still showing up. Checked under the vehicle and noticed oil all around the PCV tube. Took vehicle to Allentown Kia. They confirmed there is a oil leak but the leak is from the oil pan gasket. The vehicle has 400 ish miles on it and was i believe a quart low on oil by the time I took it in for repairs.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11698724November 11, 2025
SEATS
Frame of drivers side seat broke in half. I weigh under. 200 pounds and am the primary driver of the car
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697908November 6, 2025
POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The contact owns a 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating while depressing the accelerator pedal. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was able to duplicate the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed, and the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was approximately 3,000. The VIN was not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697343November 4, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE, THEN THE SOUND OF GLASS SHATTERING. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED AT ALL MY WINDOWS AND DIDNT SEE ANYTHING. I CONTINUTED DRIVING AND I COULD HEAR AIR COMING FROM ABOVE, WHILE AT A REDLIGHT I STARTED OPENING THE SUNROOF COVER AND SAW GLASS. I IMMEDIATELY CLOSED IT AND RETURNED HOME AND GOT MY OTHER VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AND NOTHING ABOVE ME.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697106November 3, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I live in Alabama. Temperature here is 34 degrees so far in the morning. My check engine light is on. I have taken it in and had diagnostics and they can't find a code or code history. My heat and AC do not work properly if the ambient temperature on the cluster doesn't show up or is not correct. 72 degrees when it's not working right will run you out of the car it's so hot. The cluster currently says it's -15 degrees outside and has the snowflake beside it. I am scheduled bc they are booked out at the dealership to have diagnostics run on 11/14. I don't know if it is wiring, ambient temperature sensor, max air sensor, HVAC module (dealership had previously cleared water out of the module and then replaced the module, initially when they couldn't find the problem they disconnected the battery and reconnected to reset and clear the code). The dealership in Auburn Al has addressed all the issues and done all the services, updates, and trouble shooting. I'm having to run three different temps in the car and crack the windows when I need heat and AC just crack the windows and adjust the three temps again. I feel like I'm just getting a quick fix each time I go instead of the problem being resolved for good. This has been an ongoing issue especially when the temperature changes (seasons) or fluctuates (throughout the day). I've listed below the most recent start date. I would have to contact that dealership to get the exact timeframe that it ALL started.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11697070November 2, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
On the highway, the vehicle would not accelerate and was losing speed even though the gas pedal was fully depressed. Initially, the vehicle was in ECO drive mode, traveling approximately 65 mph and the steering wheel paddle to toggle the regenerative breaking between levels 1-3 prior to getting onto the highway. The vehicle speed dropped from ~75mph into the low 50mph range on the highway and was able to maintain speed then slowly regain speed when then phenomenon would happen again. The engine light was not initially on but did come on eventually. The engine light flashed at first but then stayed solid. Eventually a safe space was found on the side of the highway to pull over and restart the car. After restarting, the vehicle was able to regain highway speed (using caution, slow acceleration to merge back onto the highway), however when attempting to accelerate faster to see if the problem persisted, it did and the car again would not accelerate even when fully depressing the gas pedal. It felt similar to when you push the gas pedal while in park where the engine revs with high rpm's but doesn't move. The road trip was completed using cruise control, which seemed to have less issues (although not zero issues). After exiting the highway, at lower speeds (<30mph) the vehicle was shaking like it was going over rumble strips until it could be turned off and restarted. Component: power train. Yes, it is available for inspection. Safety issue: While traveling on the highway at times, the vehicle lost speed, was unable to maintain speed and/or accelerate. This could have easily caused a crash at highway speeds (60mph+). inspected by others? No. Will be taken to dealer on 11/3/25 Warning lights: The engine light came on after the initial incident. Kia Connect app, the following diagnostic codes were received; P030000, P030100, P030300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695410October 24, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I was stopped in in the left turn lane with my right foot on the brake pedal. Suddenly the car began to rapidly move forward. I jammed my right foot down and stopped the car, avoiding an accident.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695330October 23, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Passenger side sliding door periodically gets stuck trying to open or close. My 3 year olds finger got stuck in the closed position of the sliding door and we could not get the door open immediately because of the faulty door periodically getting stuck.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11693824October 16, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Gas/pump door actuator failed. Unable to open and put gas in car. This car is only 1.5 years old.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693759October 16, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Both horns went bad on my vehicle that is less than 2 years old. Dealership said ours is the 5th vehicle they have seen this week with the same issue. They have been unable to determine a cause.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693553October 15, 2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
Rearview camera not available and car is operational when car is processing an over the air update.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693029October 13, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The car fails to accelerate sporadically, occurred multiple times in a 2 day period. First time was getting on an on ramp to the highway, I got up to 55 MPH then couldn’t accelerate anymore even with my foot on the gas. I dropped down to 32 MPH and had to merge onto the highway at that speed. I had a semi fly up behind me and swerve around me because I was going so slow, I’m thankful there wasn’t an accident, I had 6 passengers and it could’ve been a very bad situation. It finally gave some acceleration but even then later gave out when driving on the highway. I went from 70 to 53 MPH before I could accelerate again. Other times it happens I was on a road going 35 MPH and it wouldn’t accelerate anymore, dropped down to 26 MPH. I can only coast and pressing the gas just revs the engine, going up to 4000 RPM. It only happens when already driving, not from a dead stop (at least so far). This has happened in all 3 driving modes, Eco (happened the most in this mode), Sport and Smart mode. This has to be addressed and fixed, I’m nervous to drive the car or have my family ride in it. There were no warning lights showing and the diagnostics are stating normal. I’m taking it to a dealership today. The one detail I noticed that happened consistently was the car seemed to be stuck in a mode not being able to determine if it’s in charging, electric or hybrid mode and tries to combine them. There’s a graphic on the display that shows the power either coming from the battery to the front wheels OR from the front wheels to the battery, never arrows both ways. When this happened, there were arrows going both ways from the batteries to the front wheels and from the front wheels to the battery at the same time. Finally when I could accelerate again, the arrows were going one direction. Please report this and make Kia fix this terrible safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693064October 13, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
12V battery drains if the car is left unused for more than 3-4 days. Car needs to be jumped to start it up again. The issue occurred in August and I jumped it first time. It started happening again September and had a service appointment with Kia. They hard reset the software but the issue occured again every time I left the car unused for more than 3-4 days.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11691088October 2, 2025
POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
When the vehicle is idling, the battery refuses to charge, therefore, the car suddenly dies and makes it unsafe to pull over and dyes while driving, very dangerous and transmission doesn’t shift properly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690165September 28, 2025
ENGINE
I am submitting this complaint regarding my Kia Carnival. The vehicle has a recurring and dangerous problem where the engine suddenly jumps and, if I continue pressing the gas, it shuts off while driving. This has happened multiple times, including in the middle of the highway, creating a serious safety risk for myself, my passengers, and other drivers. I have taken the vehicle to a Kia dealership on multiple occasions, but they have not been able to identify or repair the issue. I also contacted Kia corporate, obtained a case number, and was told someone would follow up with me. Unfortunately, no one has ever called me back. This is an ongoing and unresolved defect that puts my family and the public in danger. I request that the NHTSA investigate this matter to determine if this is part of a larger safety defect in Kia Carnival vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) Kia case number XXX
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689323September 24, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I was driving about 6:30ish in the morning and my whole dashboard went black and my head lights turned off couple seconds later it came back on while i am driving. I will be calling the dealership to see what can be checked.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11689092September 23, 2025
STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V025000 (Structure). The contact stated that the driver's side roof molding was detaching, and the contact attempted to secure the molding in place several times. The dealer was contacted to schedule an appointment for the recall repair, but the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair had already been performed while the vehicle was at the dealer for an unrelated service, a month prior. The contact stated that the dealer had failed to perform the recall repair correctly because the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed; however, no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11688400September 19, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The car gave alert of "hybrid system failure" and showed a picture of a drained battery. After about 20 seconds, we were unable to drive over 30 mph. After about 30 more seconds, the car shut off and had to be jumped to work again. Luckily we were pulling over into a parking lot when it shut off, but were blocking the entrance. This is the 4th time this has happened in a couple of months since we bought the car.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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