2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid electrical system problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Oct 5, 2026MIElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11768901 · source
2. Filed Sep 22, 2026UTElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   On random occasions, car will display "check hybrid system" and go into limp mode (limiting speed significantly) check engine, oil, and battery lights also illuminate. Had car serviced twice by dealership who cannot replicate the error, nor can they find any engine codes stored. However, this incident keeps occurring. Planning on having the car serviced again and not picking it up until it's figured out, but also wanted to report this incidence as I have seen several posts…

   NHTSA complaint #11766261 · source
3. Filed Sep 6, 2026WVElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control

   My vehicle keeps throwing a code “check hybrid system” and slowing me down to 30mph, it will not accelerate. This is extremely dangerous. I can restart the car and it’s fine but this is a major safety issue considering it keeps happening

   NHTSA complaint #11762493 · source
4. Filed Aug 28, 2026ILElectrical System

   The digital instrument panel display on the right side that shows map direction goes blank or start flickering. Audio also fails to function. When it goes blank, the rear camera also stops showing and causes difficulting in reversing the car. This happens randomly, but mostly once car has driven 10-15 mins or more and not right away. Points to some effect due to heat or vibration since the screen flickering begins once its driven a little bit.

   NHTSA complaint #11760279 · source
5. Filed Aug 11, 2026ALElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers

   I am writing to formally report a serious, recurring safety defect involving the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system in my vehicle. The system intermittently shuts off completely without warning and suffers from a malfunctioning airflow diverter. This directly impacts driver visibility due to immediate windshield fogging or the inability to de-ice during cold weather conditions. Below are the logged details of the intermittent shutdowns: July 9: System…

   NHTSA complaint #11756260 · source
6. Filed Jul 26, 2026DEElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   My 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid is experiencing repeated electrical and hybrid battery failures. The battery has died multiple times, and the vehicle has shut off while driving, including at higher speeds. When the vehicle shuts off, all electrical systems reset, warning lights flash, and the dashboard displays “User Authorization” notifications. This creates a serious safety hazard for me and my passengers. The defect has occurred multiple times and remains unresolved despite…

   NHTSA complaint #11752888 · source
7. Filed Jul 23, 2026NYFireBrakesElectrical System

   I had two very serious incidents. July 8th: Horn just started blaring unprompted. Locking/unlocking doors, turning motor on, disconnecting battery did nothing to stop it. I was trying everything and as I was trying to find the correct fuse to disable (it wasn't labeled), the horn burned out and started smoldering. If the car was not in my driveway AND I wasn't home, I believe a fire would have started if I didn't pull the fuse AND douse it with water. It was parked next to…

   NHTSA complaint #11752483 · source
8. Filed Jun 26, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical System

   The vehicle began shaking and having ABS problems when driving at ~30 mph after having driven for several miles without issue. The vehicle did not have any history of problems or recent symptoms and was just over one year old. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. The dealership reported a broken driver side front wheel speed sensor wire and attributed it to rodent damage without other evidence.

   NHTSA complaint #11746822 · source
9. Filed Jun 1, 2026FLElectrical SystemEngine

   I am filing this complaint to report a recurring, life-threatening safety defect in my 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid involving the battery and hybrid propulsion system. This defect has occurred twice, and despite dealer repair attempts, it has not been resolved. On both occasions, while the vehicle was in operation, the hybrid system failed without warning. The vehicle displayed a hybrid system failure alert, lost the ability to accelerate normally, and became unable to maintain…

   NHTSA complaint #11741345 · source
10. Filed Apr 22, 2026FLElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    4/6/2026 vehicle stalled in traffic multiple times, entered "Limp Mode", unable to accelerate after stopping or after deceleration. I had to press the gas to the floor to get the vehicle to move. While driving, if I had to brake or lay off the gas at all, the vehicle would not accelerate back to the original speed quickly. This put myself and my four children at risk of being rear-ended. I drove with the hazard lights on to Kia of Wesley Chapel Service center. The Battery…

    NHTSA complaint #11732931 · source
11. Filed Feb 22, 2026KYElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    The vehicle shows a Driver Assistance System Warning randomly. Then the vehicle is unable to accelerate past ~30MPH. We almost got hit when this happened. The warning does not show up in notifications nor does it show up in diagnostics. It gets reverts back to normal when the vehicle is turned off then turned back on. It seems to reset.

    NHTSA complaint #11719729 · source
12. Filed Feb 18, 2026NVElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    While driving the car it will stick in the electric mode and not go back into gas mode. You will only be able to go up to 30-35 miles an hour and in order to fix this issue as of right now all I could do was have to pull over to the side of the road put the car in park turn it off and turn it back on. I worry that this issue will be even worse if I was on the interstate and my car was getting stuck in electric mode and then it’s a safety issue, especially since I have kids…

    NHTSA complaint #11718944 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology