2023 Kia Carnival problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Structure:body (8) · Seat Belts (2) · Fuel System, Gasoline (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Carnival model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (4)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings 2026-04-10 · campaign 26V232000 · 141,032 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2024-01-18 · campaign 24V025000 · 101,049 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Structure:body:door 2023-03-31 · campaign 23V236000 · 51,568 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Trailer Hitches 2023-03-17 · campaign 23V179000 · 3,555 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (69)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-08-25 · WTY048_OWNR · Warranty Program/Extension
warranty extension campaign: owner notification (wty048) - this document is the owner notification advising that kia is extending the new vehicle limited warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the horn assembly in certain 2022-2024 my carnival vehicles from 5 years / 60,000 miles t
Electrical System 2026-08-21 · WTY048_DP · Warranty Program/Extension
warranty extension campaign: dealer principal memo (wty048) - this document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that kia is s extending the new vehicle limited warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the horn assembly for certain 2022-2024 my carnival vehicles manu
Electrical System 2026-08-20 · WTY048_TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: horn assembly inspection/replacement (wty048) - this bulletin provides information associated with the warranty extension program (wty048) to inspect and, if necessary, replace both the high-pitch and low-pitch horn assemblies on certain 2022-2024my carnival (ka4) vehicle
Electrical System 2026-08-20 · WTY048_QA · Warranty Program/Extension
warranty extension campaign: question and answer (wty048) - this document is the question and answer guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the warranty extension campaign wty048.
Electrical System 2026-08-20 · WTY048_DPSM · Warranty Program/Extension
warranty extension campaign: dealer parts and service manager memo (wty048) - this document is the announcement to the dealer parts and service managers advising that kia is extending the new vehicle limited warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the horn assembly for certain 2022-
Structure:body 2026-06-19 · PSD_REMINDER2_105 · Other
important reminder: owner notification: carnival power sliding door feature (ka4psd2 flight#105) - this document is the owner notification advising kia's ongoing commitment to providing vehicle owners with a superior ownership experience. we would like to remind vehicle owners about the proper use o
Showing the 6 most recent of 69 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-18 · Seat Belts“the seatbelt anchor for the second row seat immediately behind the driver's seat failed to latch properly sometimes and it would take several attempts to get it latched properly. the safety of me and others was put at risk because i could have been ejected in a crash or moved forward into the drivers seat, causing serious or fatal injury to me and/…”
2026-09-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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.…”
2026-08-04 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 58,425 mi“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 faile…”
2026-07-24 · Unknown Or Other“vehicle air conditioning sends off a vinegar like aroma. likely condensation on coils. …”
2026-07-23 · Unknown Or Other“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 le…”
2026-06-05 · Structure · 77,000 mi“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, …”
2026-06-02 · Engine And Engine Cooling“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 manufact…”
2026-05-14 · Unknown Or Other“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 ha…”
2026-04-29 · Power Train“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, 202…”
2026-02-23 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 35,000 mi“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 conta…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.