2025 Kia Carnival electrical system problems

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

84 owners have reported electrical system problems with the 2025 Kia Carnival, 67% of all complaints about this model year. The typical problem appeared around 34,967 mi.

Electrical System complaints
84
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Related recalls
0
Median mileage
34,967 mi

Specific components reported

Electrical System covers: Battery, wiring, infotainment, instrument cluster, communication and software.

ComponentComplaints
Electrical system84

Electrical System complaints across Kia Carnival years

2320226202317202484202572026
Electrical System complaints by model year. The 2025 is highlighted.

Mileage when the problem appeared

1Under 10k10k–30k230k–60k60k–100k100k–150k150k+
Complaints that list mileage, grouped by odometer reading.

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

  1. Filed Oct 1, 2026CAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    "UPDATE TO EXISTING COMPLAINT NHTSA ID 11747231 LCD CENTER DISPLAY / BACKUP CAMERA FAILURE UPDATE TO NHTSA COMPLAINT ID 11747231 I am submitting an update regarding the same unresolved safety defect reported in NHTSA Complaint ID 11747231 involving my 2025 Kia Carnival SX. Mileage when the problem start approximately 8k miles. The vehicle has now undergone five repair attempts for the same recurring LCD/display failure. Repairs have included replacement of the LCD/display,…
    NHTSA complaint #11768358 · source
  2. Filed Oct 1, 2026FLElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control
    The battery is draining due to external things but it’s not attached to anything and now all screens in the car flash on and off and go black including speedometer
    NHTSA complaint #11768241 · source
  3. Filed Aug 11, 202634,967 miTXElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2025 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and coming to a complete stop, the vehicle shut off. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted and driven back to the residence. The following day, the vehicle shut off again and was restarted after several attempts. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer on several occasions; however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause of the…
    NHTSA complaint #11756278 · source
  4. Filed Jul 7, 202646,000 miTX1 injuredElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts
    The contact owns a 2025 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while parked in a bank drive-thru, the contact's son mentioned that his seat belt was stuck. The contact parked the vehicle in a parking spot and attempted to remove the seat belt; however, the seat belt retracted tightly around his abdomen as the lower half of his body was turning blue, requiring the contact's husband to cut the seat belt. The contact mentioned that it was discovered that all seat belts located…
    NHTSA complaint #11748893 · source
  5. Filed Jun 29, 2026CAElectrical System
    **Vehicle:** 2025 Kia Carnival **Current Mileage:** Approximately 18,000 miles I am reporting a serious and ongoing safety defect involving the center LCD display in my 2025 Kia Carnival. The problem began immediately after the vehicle's first scheduled service at an authorized Kia dealership and has continued ever since. The center LCD screen intermittently flickers and then goes completely blank while I am driving. When this happens, the rearview camera image is also lost…
    NHTSA complaint #11747231 · source
  6. Filed May 28, 2026NJElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
    We have been having persistent safety issues with this vehicle. The issues have ranged from unsecured gas cap to loss of power. We’ve also had severe transmission issues where the car will not shift out of first gear. This happened on the Garden State Parkway and nearly caused an accident as the car wasn’t able to go above 27 mph safely.
    NHTSA complaint #11740593 · source
  7. Filed May 27, 2026VAElectrical SystemEngineAcceleration & Cruise Control
    For the third time the 2025 KIA Carnival Prestige I own lost power while driving on the interstate! Without warning, the vehicle would no longer respond to the accelerator pedal. No matter what I did I could not get the vehicle to accelerate past 35 mph. The minimum speed limit on the interstate is 45 mph. I had to immediately engage my hazard lights and make my way over to the shoulder of the road from the passing lane. This was a dangerous situation for me and my family…
    NHTSA complaint #11740406 · source
  8. Filed May 11, 20264,200 miFLTowedElectrical System
    The contact owns a 2025 Kia Carnival. The contact’s daughter stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly lost motive power with no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the battery solenoid needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to the…
    NHTSA complaint #11737111 · source
  9. Filed Apr 18, 2026OKElectrical SystemLighting
    Car Problems Purchased March of 2025 #1 First black out summer 2025-Driving at 10 PM and lost all electric driven items. Headlights turned off as well while driving 70 MPH in the dark Scheduled an appointment to get the car looked over. They said that there was a part that they were waiting on to help with electrical issues. #2 Next black out fall of 2025 Used the update part to see if that would fix the problem #3 February 6th, 2026 Got my oil changed and it blacked out…
    NHTSA complaint #11732059 · source
  10. Filed Apr 17, 2026TXElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts
    The component of the vehicle that malfunction was the front passenger seat. The driver came to a stop at an intersection and the front passenger seat started auto reclining. The seat was reclining into a life, flat position, almost. The driver was concerned because no one was pressing buttons and put the vehicle in park in the seat did not stop auto reclining so the driver turned off the vehicle, but the seat reclined as far as it could into the middle section of the vehicle…
    NHTSA complaint #11731853 · source
  11. Filed Apr 3, 2026NMElectrical System
    Due to soy-insulated wiring used in wiring harnesses, rodents are attracted to the wiring components in the engine bay. Even using deterrents doesn't see to affect them. What started as a simple check engine light for what was assumed to be a faulty sensor turned into a total wiring harness replacement. Without knowing that the wiring provided an added risk to damage from external factors, there was no need to check any of the wiring. If the check engine light didn't come…
    NHTSA complaint #11729116 · source
  12. Filed Mar 30, 2026TXBrakesElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain
    The vehicle (2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid) has suffered from a systemic parasitic 12V battery drain since the first month of ownership. The first occurrence was July 20, 2025, requiring a jump-start from Kia Roadside Assistance. On 02/26/2026, the vehicle was presented at Moritz Kia Alliance for the same issue. The dealer diagnosed the 12V battery as defective (Code R04) and replaced it under warranty. However, the defect persisted. On 03/10/2026, only 12 days later, the vehicle…
    NHTSA complaint #11728026 · source

Other 2025 Kia Carnival problem areas

  • Other / Unknown (23)
  • Engine (15)
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (10)
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (6)
  • Seats & Seat Belts (5)
  • Transmission & Drivetrain (5)
  • Lighting (5)
  • Body & Structure (4)
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control (4)
  • Airbags (2)
  • Visibility & Wipers (2)
  • Wheels & Tires (1)
  • Brakes (1)

Back to all 2025 Kia Carnival problems →

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