2023 Kia Carnival problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 Kia Carnival, most often about body & structure. There are 4 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
51
Recalls
4
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
7
Median mileage
32,500 mi
at time of problem

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners to park outside until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

  • Body & Structure is the most-reported problem area, named in 14 of 51 complaints (27%).
  • Electrical System (6) and engine (6) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 32,500 mi.
  • Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 7 injuries.
  • The 2023 Kia Carnival has 4 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 4th of 5 Kia Carnival model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 62% fewer complaints than the 2022 model year (136).

2023 Kia Carnival problems by category

  • Other / Unknown
    24 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    14 complaints
  • Electrical System
    6 complaints
  • Engine
    6 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    5 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    3 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    2 complaints
  • Steering
    2 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    1 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    1 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Unknown or other22
Structure:body10
Electrical system6
Engine5
Fuel/propulsion system3
Fuel system, gasoline2
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness2
Lane departure: blind spot detection1

When problems happen (mileage)

2Under 10k110k–30k330k–60k260k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2023 Kia Carnival complaints that list mileage.

2023 Kia Carnival recalls (4)

  • Recall 26V232000Apr 10, 2026141,032 vehicles
    FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Carnival vehicles. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the fuel pipe and fuel rail.

    Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC368. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 24, 2026.

  • Recall 24V025000Jan 18, 2024101,049 vehicles
    STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.

    Risk: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.

  • Recall 23V236000Mar 31, 202351,568 vehicles
    STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling all 2022 and certain 2023 Carnival vehicles. The auto-reverse feature for the power sliding doors (PSD) may not activate in all situations.

    Risk: A power sliding door that does not auto-reverse can close on an occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will update the power sliding door control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC266.

  • Recall 23V179000Mar 17, 20233,555 vehiclesPark outside
    TRAILER HITCHES

    Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Carnival vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.

    Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and verify whether the vehicle is equipped with a Genuine Kia accessory trailer tow hitch assembly. If equipped, dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC265.

Recent 2023 Kia Carnival complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 23, 2026TXFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Fuel door actuator is electrically tied to cabin door locks with no manual release and frequently fails to open after repeatedly cycling cabin door locks. Issue is not due to bad batteries or other vehicle related electrical faults. Manufacturer has confirmed defect is present in all Kia models from 2020 until now with no after warranty support.
    NHTSA complaint #11766404 · source
  2. Filed Aug 4, 202658,425 miNMFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle, causing the contact’s six children to become dizzy from the odor. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V232000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the remedy failed to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred after the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was…
    NHTSA complaint #11754708 · source
  3. Filed Jul 23, 2026TNOther / Unknown
    I am filing a comprehensive complaint against Kia America and its authorized dealership for a prolonged failure to remedy a safety defect, ongoing consumer deception, and gross mismanagement of a federally mandated safety recall involving a severe fire hazard. Vehicle: 2022-2026 Kia Carnival NHTSA Recall Number: 26V232 (High-Pressure Fuel Pipe Leak) [Chronology of Complete Events] June 29, 2026 (First Attempt): I brought my vehicle to Kia dealer shop to have Safety Recall…
    NHTSA complaint #11752515 · source
  4. Filed Jun 5, 202677,000 miKSBody & Structure
    The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the driver’s side roof molding ejected from the vehicle. The contact immediately stopped the vehicle but was unable to locate the molding. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V025000…
    NHTSA complaint #11742271 · source
  5. Filed Jun 2, 2026FLEngine
    The contact owns a 2023 KIA Carnival. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V320000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
    NHTSA complaint #11741634 · source
  6. Filed May 14, 2026IL1 injuredOther / Unknown
    Our Carnival had the SC266 recall repair done on July 3rd, 2023, at 3074 miles. Then our [XXX] daughter was injured as a result of the safety function not working and the door closed without any chimes. [XXX] (my spouse) is a cardiac nurse at our local hospital, and I have combat medical training, so we took care of the minor injury. Her small hand was spared the devastation a larger one would suffer. The dealership is pretending it’s unreproducible (even though I supplied…
    NHTSA complaint #11737829 · source
  7. Filed Apr 29, 2026NYEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    I am reporting a safety defect involving my 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige. On June 6, 2025, I brought the vehicle to Yonkers Kia Service Center because of a strong gasoline odor. The dealership told me the fuel tank was swollen and that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The vehicle remained at the dealership from June 6, 2025 through October 17, 2025. Kia later indicated that the fuel tank, canister, and vent valve had been replaced. When the vehicle was returned to me on…
    NHTSA complaint #11734511 · source
  8. Filed Feb 23, 202635,000 miCAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two separate dealers, where the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was given a diagnostic fee from the dealers, but declined to pay for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified of…
    NHTSA complaint #11719892 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. 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