Kia Carnival Complaints (2024)

75 consumer complaints on file.

#11645778March 2, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Purchased new KIA Carnival in May 2024. In August 2024 ALL of the warning lights came on and started cycling through to check every system. The warnings were the only thing that worked on the instrument cluster. All of the analog instruments stopped working: the speedometer, the tachometer, the fuel gauge, etc.. The blinkers didn't even indicate that they were working. I drove the vehicle directly to the dealership and they could see the problem, but then as quickly as it started it stopped. They said diagnostics did not indicate any problem so they were not able to find the issue to fix it. It started again in February.
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
#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
#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
#11609918August 21, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Brought vehicle in for repair SC292 vehicle roof trim. Dealer (Safford Kia in Fredricksburg, VA) informed me that the trim was in good condition and does not qualify for the recall. I informed the dealer multiple times that the trim has already come off multiple times and is a hazard. They then reiterated that it didn’t qualify for a repair under their standards. Same information was presented directly to Kia Care and I was given the same information. Upon arriving home, a quick glance at the roof trim showed that it was, in fact, separated from the roof in one area and I was able to gently tug at the trim to remove it completely. The dealership failed to do an adequate inspection of the vehicle and repair it as they should have.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11609009August 16, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Rear passenger side seat rails getting extremely hot after short time idling <15 minutes. Enough that I burned my foot tending to my infant in the middle row.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11607160August 7, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
UNKNOWN. Center rails for middle seat in second row were hot to the touch. The floor mats in the second row were hot as well as some items and a shirt on the floor. Kids noticed heat, and at first I thought heat was accidentally on but confirmed ac was still on in the rear. Could feel heat radiating, almost as if your hand was over the hood when hot. Concerned about plastics melting, or a fire starting from this.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11606444August 5, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery randomly died in the car overnight
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11606317August 4, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
Just purchased the 2024 Kia Carnival LX seat package 2 months ago. My wife and I noticed the floor of the Kia in the 2nd row up until the 3rd row gets so hot that it is unable to be touched. The railing system that the seats slide on get so hot that it will burn you. My children cannot stand on it or touch it or it will burn them. Very high risk for causing a fire. We cannot put any belongings on the floor because we are afraid that it will melt and cause a fire. We do not want anything to happen to our family. This is extremely dangerous and after researching, this has been going on for years. Something needs to be done.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11605093July 29, 2024
SEATS
The rails/tracks that the seats slide forward and back on get extremely hot while the car is on. The seat rails/tracks are exposed so the seats can slide and passengers have to step on them to get in and out. The amount of heat coming from the seat rails/tracks poses a burn risk, especially to children’s delicate feet.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11604171July 23, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am currently sitting in the middle row, right seat with my wife in the driver seat and my [XXX] in the far left middle row seat. We just bought our 2024 Kia Carnival brand new from Camelback Kia a couple weeks ago. It has 1823 miles on it. As I’m sitting idled in a parking lot I pulled my foot out of my shoe and burnt my foot (hot black top in the summer kind of hot) on the rails for the middle seat and right seat (both in the middle row). It’s hot enough it feels like it could be a serious safety issue. I looked up this issue and there have been reports of fires because of this. What options do I have to get this resolved? 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
#11599345July 5, 2024
AIR BAGS
Car hit a ditch at over 40MPH and rolled over on its side and no airbags deployed
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11597842June 30, 2024
SEATS
The seat tracks/rails (what the seats go forward and backwards on) are extremely hot. It burnt my daughter’s foot as she stepped down. My husband and I felt with our hand and it was uncomfortable hot for the both of us. This is a major concern and safety issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11597491June 28, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Horn not working. Second time less than 1 year old. First time dealer said it was blown fuse. There are 2 fuses associated with horn shown on diagram. I tested continuity on both and they are good. I believe there is a deeper electrical system issue with this vehicle. Quick forum search indicates this could be a widespread issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11595342June 19, 2024
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield spontaneously cracked while sitting still. Vehicle was parked on a hot day with AC running and windshield burst as if it were shot and cracks streaked across entire windshield by next day causing visibility issues. We are not aware of vehicle being hit by anything at the time it burst.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11590755May 25, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
1 - Electrical systems, All Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, Blinker, Analog Speedometer, Digital Speedometer, RPM gauge, Climate Control Systems, were all showing as failed or malfunctioning while driving. Driver's unsure if other systems were affected. Driver distractibility was drastically increased and driver and passenger safety was at risk. Unknown component at fault, still in service at dealership. 2 - Very distracted driving, all dashboard lights blinking erratically and beeping noises constantly filling the cabin. Blinker would not work and other gauges were not functioning so driver could not tell speed of vehicle. Driver unsure if other systems affected such as airbags, lighting, braking systems, etc. Family did not want to drive the vehicle. 3 - Problem was not reproduced at dealership but vehicle produced 33 different fault codes. Dealer states another 2024 Kia Carnival is in for the same reasons. 4 - The vehicle has only been inspected by Bob Sight Kia employees. 5 - Nothing else happened prior. Vehicle had less than 200 miles on odometer when first incident occurred on [XXX], 2024. As stated previously, every warning indicator was flashing on and off sporadically. Some warnings weren't on the dashboard screen long enough to read. 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
#11590359May 23, 2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving down the interstate and the front sunroof shattered while the vehicle was in operation. We were not passing under an overpass and there was not car ahead of us to kick up debris to cause an impact on the sunroof.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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