2025 KIA CARNIVAL

0 recalls — 133 complaints

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

133 total complaints 4 injuries

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM73
UNKNOWN OR OTHER15
ENGINE10
POWER TRAIN5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
STRUCTURE:BODY4
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
SEATS2
VISIBILITY/WIPER2
SERVICE BRAKES Mar 30, 2026
Incident date: Jul 20, 2025
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 sa... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Mar 30, 2026
Incident date: Jul 20, 2025
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 sa... Read more
POWER TRAIN Mar 30, 2026
Incident date: Jul 20, 2025
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 sa... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Mar 16, 2026
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
Date/time of incident 03-16-2026 18:09-18:17 * Faulting component: Infotainment screen (screen to the right of gauge cluster) * Incident: While backing out of a parking spot and utilizing the cameras to watch my surroundings, the infotainment screen became unresponsive and began flashing between vis... Read more
BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING Mar 16, 2026
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
Date/time of incident 03-16-2026 18:09-18:17 * Faulting component: Infotainment screen (screen to the right of gauge cluster) * Incident: While backing out of a parking spot and utilizing the cameras to watch my surroundings, the infotainment screen became unresponsive and began flashing between vis... Read more
BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS Mar 16, 2026
Incident date: Mar 16, 2026
Date/time of incident 03-16-2026 18:09-18:17 * Faulting component: Infotainment screen (screen to the right of gauge cluster) * Incident: While backing out of a parking spot and utilizing the cameras to watch my surroundings, the infotainment screen became unresponsive and began flashing between vis... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Mar 12, 2026
Incident date: Mar 12, 2026
Today, my young daughter pressed the button on the inside of the door to close the sliding door. Her hand was still in the way and the door did not stop. Part of her hand was completely closed in the door and she screamed and cried in excruciating pain. Right away I noticed bruising and took her to ... Read more
1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jan 26, 2026
Incident date: Dec 26, 2025
12v Battery died 2 times first on 12/26 then on 1/25. We had to call in roadside assistance for jump start. This was reported to Kia Dublin and Kia Manteca in California. Kia Dublin ran the diagnostics and couldnt find anything. Kia Manteca later found the battery logs showing issues. But said it c... Read more
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Jan 20, 2026
Incident date: Jan 20, 2026
Was driving to work this morning and the first time I tried to get accelerate, I was unable to get above 31 MPH no matter how hard I pushed the pedal. Had to stop and restart. Not sure if it is due to the -1 degree weather this morning?
ENGINE Jan 12, 2026
Incident date: Mar 4, 2025
TL;DR : Vehicle engages limp home mode without any notification to the driver that it is in limp home mode and doesn’t generate any codes for technicians to identify why the vehicle went into limp home mode. During oil changes, a significant amount of residual oil remains in the engine. When th... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jan 12, 2026
Incident date: Nov 1, 2025
My 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid produces externally audible audio while the vehicle is locked, with all doors and windows fully closed. Private phone calls, navigation instructions, and other in-vehicle audio can be clearly heard from outside the vehicle indefinitely, even after locking the car. This be... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jan 9, 2026
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? While driving all of the lights in the car went off. Everything internal, and atleast the head lights externally. This lasted for a second or 2 before everything came back on. The screen said something... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Jan 9, 2026
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? While driving all of the lights in the car went off. Everything internal, and atleast the head lights externally. This lasted for a second or 2 before everything came back on. The screen said something... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jan 8, 2026
Incident date: Jan 8, 2026
I am submitting a safety-related complaint regarding my 2025 Kia Carnival with approximately 4,000 miles. The vehicle experienced an electronic system failure that required diagnosis by an authorized Kia dealership. The dealer has informed me that the issue is due to a failed Body Domain Controller... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Nov 24, 2025
Incident date: Oct 5, 2025
The component that has failed are both Rear Entertainment System (RES). The vehicle is at the dealership and they are unable to determine the cause hence the vehicle is at the dealership for an additional day. There were no warning lamps, messages or other systems of the problem prior to the failur... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Nov 12, 2025
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
The 12-volt battery fully discharges and leaves the vehicle inoperable ONLY when parked in my attached townhouse garage (overnight or 1–3 days). The vehicle starts and runs normally when parked elsewhere (work, airport, etc.) for the same duration. Symptoms: No warning lights prior to failure Das... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Nov 12, 2025
Incident date: Nov 12, 2025
The 12-volt battery fully discharges and leaves the vehicle inoperable ONLY when parked in my attached townhouse garage (overnight or 1–3 days). The vehicle starts and runs normally when parked elsewhere (work, airport, etc.) for the same duration. Symptoms: No warning lights prior to failure Das... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Nov 4, 2025
Incident date: Nov 4, 2025
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE, THEN THE SOUND OF GLASS SHATTERING. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED AT ALL MY WINDOWS AND DIDNT SEE ANYTHING. I CONTINUTED DRIVING AND I COULD HEAR AIR COMING FROM ABOVE, WHILE AT A REDLIGHT I STARTED OPENING THE SUNROOF COVER AND SAW GLASS. I IMMEDIATELY CL... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Nov 3, 2025
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
I live in Alabama. Temperature here is 34 degrees so far in the morning. My check engine light is on. I have taken it in and had diagnostics and they can't find a code or code history. My heat and AC do not work properly if the ambient temperature on the cluster doesn't show up or is not correct. 72... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Nov 3, 2025
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
I live in Alabama. Temperature here is 34 degrees so far in the morning. My check engine light is on. I have taken it in and had diagnostics and they can't find a code or code history. My heat and AC do not work properly if the ambient temperature on the cluster doesn't show up or is not correct. 72... Read more
ENGINE Nov 3, 2025
Incident date: Oct 1, 2025
I live in Alabama. Temperature here is 34 degrees so far in the morning. My check engine light is on. I have taken it in and had diagnostics and they can't find a code or code history. My heat and AC do not work properly if the ambient temperature on the cluster doesn't show up or is not correct. 72... Read more
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Oct 24, 2025
Incident date: Oct 6, 2025
I was stopped in in the left turn lane with my right foot on the brake pedal. Suddenly the car began to rapidly move forward. I jammed my right foot down and stopped the car, avoiding an accident.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Oct 13, 2025
Incident date: Sep 22, 2025
12V battery drains if the car is left unused for more than 3-4 days. Car needs to be jumped to start it up again. The issue occurred in August and I jumped it first time. It started happening again September and had a service appointment with Kia. They hard reset the software but the issue occured a... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 24, 2025
Incident date: Sep 24, 2025
I was driving about 6:30ish in the morning and my whole dashboard went black and my head lights turned off couple seconds later it came back on while i am driving. I will be calling the dealership to see what can be checked.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS Sep 5, 2025
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
The 2025 Kia Carnivals have a safety systems that prompts the driver to, "Take and coffee break". The system cannot be turned off and is extremely distracting. The system prompts the driver even if the adaptive cruise control is turned off. I called Kia and they told me to take the vehicle to the de... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Sep 5, 2025
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
The 2025 Kia Carnivals have a safety systems that prompts the driver to, "Take and coffee break". The system cannot be turned off and is extremely distracting. The system prompts the driver even if the adaptive cruise control is turned off. I called Kia and they told me to take the vehicle to the de... Read more
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL Sep 5, 2025
Incident date: Sep 4, 2025
The 2025 Kia Carnivals have a safety systems that prompts the driver to, "Take and coffee break". The system cannot be turned off and is extremely distracting. The system prompts the driver even if the adaptive cruise control is turned off. I called Kia and they told me to take the vehicle to the de... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Sep 4, 2025
Incident date: Jul 12, 2025
Vehicle Malfunction Report What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle's transmission and/or gear shifter system has failed to function as intended. When the gear shifter is set to "Reverse," the transmission has repeatedly shifted i... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Sep 4, 2025
Incident date: Jul 12, 2025
Vehicle Malfunction Report What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle's transmission and/or gear shifter system has failed to function as intended. When the gear shifter is set to "Reverse," the transmission has repeatedly shifted i... Read more
POWER TRAIN Sep 4, 2025
Incident date: Jul 12, 2025
Vehicle Malfunction Report What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle's transmission and/or gear shifter system has failed to function as intended. When the gear shifter is set to "Reverse," the transmission has repeatedly shifted i... Read more
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS Aug 27, 2025
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
The main screen dashboard suddenly turned off while driving and will not come back. No odometer, turn signal, lane keeping, anything available.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Aug 27, 2025
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
The main screen dashboard suddenly turned off while driving and will not come back. No odometer, turn signal, lane keeping, anything available.
LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION Aug 27, 2025
Incident date: Aug 26, 2025
The main screen dashboard suddenly turned off while driving and will not come back. No odometer, turn signal, lane keeping, anything available.
STRUCTURE:BODY Aug 17, 2025
Incident date: Aug 15, 2025
Side passenger doors do not stop when something is in the way when the automatic door close feature is used. We tried holding a hot dog and large piece of celery in the way of the door as it closed. The sensor did not detect either item and broke them both in two. If this was a human limb, finger, n... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Aug 15, 2025
Incident date: Jul 22, 2025
On two separate occasions, [XXX] and [XXX], I received emails from Kia Connect giving me a 12-Volt Battery Discharge Warning. I have the car out at the local dealership right now and they say there is nothing wrong with the battery but they are replacing it. I have noticed online multiple owners ar... Read more
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Aug 14, 2025
Incident date: Aug 14, 2025
When I was trying to accelerate over 30 MPH I got a driver assistance warning 10 warning lights came on so I pulled over and once I put the car into park it would no longer shift into drive.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Aug 1, 2025
Incident date: Aug 1, 2025
Battery randomly dies.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jul 26, 2025
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
On or around [XXX] the rear occupant sensor warning light came on. We scheduled a service appointment with the dealership for 7/15/25 at 7:00 a.m.. We were informed later that morning that it was a defective module that could affect the air bags and it wasn’t safe to drive the car. It is 7/26/25 a... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jul 26, 2025
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
On or around [XXX] the rear occupant sensor warning light came on. We scheduled a service appointment with the dealership for 7/15/25 at 7:00 a.m.. We were informed later that morning that it was a defective module that could affect the air bags and it wasn’t safe to drive the car. It is 7/26/25 a... Read more
AIR BAGS Jul 26, 2025
Incident date: Jul 13, 2025
On or around [XXX] the rear occupant sensor warning light came on. We scheduled a service appointment with the dealership for 7/15/25 at 7:00 a.m.. We were informed later that morning that it was a defective module that could affect the air bags and it wasn’t safe to drive the car. It is 7/26/25 a... Read more
ENGINE Jul 23, 2025
Incident date: Jul 23, 2025
This is the second time, while I was driving that the car would not want to pick up speed and shuddered. The engine light came on again. And stayed on this time. I brought it back to the Kia dealer. They ran a diagnostic. They first wanted me to pay the cost. It is under the warranty. ... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jul 23, 2025
Incident date: Jul 23, 2025
This is the second time, while I was driving that the car would not want to pick up speed and shuddered. The engine light came on again. And stayed on this time. I brought it back to the Kia dealer. They ran a diagnostic. They first wanted me to pay the cost. It is under the warranty. ... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY Jul 20, 2025
Incident date: Jul 20, 2025
The passenger sliding door pinch sensor did activate; but not before child’s hand was pinched in door and it almost drew blood. Door closes forcefully I have noticed compared to other minivan experiences I have with automatic doors. Quite a bit of force is needed to activate the sensor and cause... Read more
1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jul 20, 2025
Incident date: Jun 14, 2025
The floor behind the passenger side gets very hot and you cannot touch where the tracks for the seat are with your hand for risk of pain. This occurs for the middle passenger behind the front passenger and also the third row floor on the passenger side. Also the temperature in the cabin is substanti... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY Jul 20, 2025
Incident date: Jun 14, 2025
The floor behind the passenger side gets very hot and you cannot touch where the tracks for the seat are with your hand for risk of pain. This occurs for the middle passenger behind the front passenger and also the third row floor on the passenger side. Also the temperature in the cabin is substanti... Read more
POWER TRAIN Jul 16, 2025
Incident date: Jun 15, 2025
The car doesn't start after overnight, or after a period of no usage for a certain time. Push button doesn't start the engine, it takes 25-30 attempts to get it started. It keeps happening almost every day.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jul 16, 2025
Incident date: Jun 15, 2025
The car doesn't start after overnight, or after a period of no usage for a certain time. Push button doesn't start the engine, it takes 25-30 attempts to get it started. It keeps happening almost every day.
ENGINE Jul 16, 2025
Incident date: Jun 15, 2025
The car doesn't start after overnight, or after a period of no usage for a certain time. Push button doesn't start the engine, it takes 25-30 attempts to get it started. It keeps happening almost every day.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Jun 26, 2025
Incident date: Jun 26, 2025
I was turning onto a main thoroughfare fare, and the van was slow to accelerate, Engine light briefly blinked, then went off, and then when I was on the interstate I had to pull over the van was running rough. Once I went back on the road, the steering wheel was shuddering and finally the engine s... Read more
ENGINE Jun 26, 2025
Incident date: Jun 26, 2025
I was turning onto a main thoroughfare fare, and the van was slow to accelerate, Engine light briefly blinked, then went off, and then when I was on the interstate I had to pull over the van was running rough. Once I went back on the road, the steering wheel was shuddering and finally the engine s... Read more

Showing 50 of 133 complaints.

NHTSA Safety Ratings — 2025 KIA CARNIVAL

2025 Kia Carnival PV FWD

CategoryRating
Frontal Crash 4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Frontal Crash — Driver 5 / 5 ★★★★★
Frontal Crash — Passenger 4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Rollover 4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Rollover Risk 14.0%

Safety Technology

FeatureStatus
Electronic Stability ControlStandard
Forward Collision WarningStandard & Optional
Lane Departure WarningStandard

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings Program. Ratings are based on crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

EPA Fuel Economy — 2025 KIA CARNIVAL

Trim / Engine City MPG Highway MPG Combined MPG Fuel Type Annual Fuel Cost
3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S8) (Front-Wheel Drive) 18.0 26.0 21.0 Regular $2,850

CO2 Emissions: 426.0 g/mile (Minivan - 2WD)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

NHTSA Safety Investigations — KIA CARNIVAL

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

PE22004 Opened: Apr 10, 2022 — Closed: Jun 13, 2023
PE — Closed — Model Year: 2022
Power Sliding Door Auto Reverse Failure
On April 10, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) after receiving 5 consumer complaints alleging the Power Sliding Doors (PSD) auto-reverse function failed to work properly in the model year (MY) 2022 Kia Carnival minivan vehicles.At that time, ODI ... Read more

KIA CARNIVAL — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the KIA CARNIVAL across all model years (2022–2026).

25 Total Recalls
460 Total Complaints
1 Investigations
9 Reported Crashes
0 Reported Fires
0 Reported Deaths

KIA CARNIVAL — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2026 8 23 View
2025 (current) 0 133
2024 2 80 View
2023 6 56 View
2022 9 168 View

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