2024 Kia Carnival problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about the 2024 Kia Carnival, most often about electrical system. There are 2 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
75
Recalls
2
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
12
Median mileage
7,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 17 of 75 complaints (23%).
  • Engine (9) and seats & seat belts (8) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 7,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires and 12 injuries.
  • The 2024 Kia Carnival has 2 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 2nd of 5 Kia Carnival model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 47% more complaints than the 2023 model year (51).

2024 Kia Carnival problems by category

  • Other / Unknown
    27 complaints
  • Electrical System
    17 complaints
  • Engine
    9 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    8 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    7 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    7 complaints
  • Steering · 1 crash
    7 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    3 complaints
  • Brakes · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    3 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    2 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    2 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints
  • Lighting
    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 other26
Electrical system17
Engine8
Steering7
Seats6
Fuel/propulsion system6
Structure:body4
Service brakes3

When problems happen (mileage)

4Under 10k110k–30k230k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2024 Kia Carnival complaints that list mileage.

2024 Kia Carnival recalls (2)

  • 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.

Recent 2024 Kia Carnival complaints

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

  1. Filed Oct 1, 2026CTElectrical 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…
    NHTSA complaint #11768250 · source
  2. Filed Sep 29, 2026IN1 injuredOther / Unknown
    On XXX, the passenger-side power sliding door of my 2024 Kia Carnival EX closed on my [XXX] child’s torso/chest while she was exiting the vehicle and did not stop or reverse before trapping her. I had walked toward the house and reached the garage when I heard an extremely loud scream of pain. I immediately ran back to the vehicle. When I reached her, I personally observed that her torso/stomach was still pinned against the vehicle by the closed power sliding door. She could…
    NHTSA complaint #11767906 · source
  3. Filed Sep 15, 202648,320 miNETowedEngine
    The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked violently and experienced a loss of motive power, with reduced power. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the warning lights were no longer illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle, and the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was…
    NHTSA complaint #11764470 · source
  4. Filed Sep 10, 2026NVFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown
    My 2024 Kia Carnival smells strongly like gasoline after about 15–20 minutes of driving. The smell gets worse at idle, worse the longer I drive, and seems even stronger with the A/C on. Two dealerships in Las Vegas have told me this is “normal.” Meanwhile, I can’t park it in my garage because the smell fills my house. I’ve had headaches and nausea, and my kids have complained of headaches and stomach aches too.
    NHTSA complaint #11763500 · source
  5. Filed Sep 7, 2026IA1 injuredOther / Unknown
    I was cleaning my van and my 2 year old daughter closed the opposite door and the sensors did not stop the door and she got her fingers smashed into the door and potentially broke her fingers, took her to the ER and we are to repeat X-rays in 7 to 10 days.
    NHTSA complaint #11762516 · source
  6. Filed Sep 2, 2026NYBrakesOther / Unknown
    On 8/25/2026 I dropped the vehicle at Plaza Kia, 2699 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210 (Kia Repair Facility #7119189) for four open recalls: PI2501, PI2602, SC320, and SC368. Brakes were functioning normally at drop-off. Per repair order [XXX] dated 8/26/2026, only PI2501 and PI2602 (second-row seat recalls) were performed; SC320 (EGR valve) and SC368 (high-pressure crossover fuel pipe) were not completed — parts on special order. The dealer's multi-point inspection sheet,…
    NHTSA complaint #11761672 · source
  7. Filed Aug 24, 2026WVOther / Unknown
    For the past year I have taken my vechicle in due to a strong vinegar smell that comes from the AC in the summer upon start up. They have been unable to remedy this issue. However they have said there is mold in the system. This posses a health issue due to poor air quality especially for small children in the vehicle.
    NHTSA complaint #11759022 · source
  8. Filed Aug 17, 2026TNDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    On our 2024 KIA Carnival, which my wife is the primary driver, the blind spot warning on the passenger side does not work all the time. Driver side is 100% okay. She drives on I40 and hwy111 to and from work daily, and when passing on the left, she looks for the red triangle to let her know it is clear to get back in the right lane. It only works about 50% of the time and the dealership has worked on it three times unsuccessfully, so we put in a complaint to KIA corporate in…
    NHTSA complaint #11757456 · source

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Other 2024 Kia models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 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