RoadVitals

2022 Kia Carnival Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
133
Latest Aug 1, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
14
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2022 Kia Carnival, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

32
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V908000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages, Structure); however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side power sliding door failed to latch securely. The contact used force while pushing the rear passenger’s side sliding door from the outside to latch the sliding door properly. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that it was unrelated to the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID 11753013 · filed Jul 27, 2026

Vehicle: 2022 Kia Carnival Component: Liftgate — right-side support/strut (shoulder) failure Safety Issue: The right-hand side trunk strut/support has completely broken, causing the liftgate to drop unexpectedly. The trunk will not stay open and can fall abruptly during use. This creates a significant safety hazard for adults and children standing underneath, and while loading/unloading cargo. There was no prior warning or misuse. The failure is structural and sudden. Resulting Risk: Risk of head/neck injury, especially for children or anyone attempting to open or hold the liftgate. The sudden drop makes the rear of the vehicle unsafe to use. Request: Investigation into whether this is a defect affecting other 2022 Kia Carnival vehicles.

NHTSA ID 11701168 · filed Nov 24, 2025
All 32 reports naming body & structure

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

22
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My 2022 Kia Carnival, approximately 80,000 miles, had intermittent dashboard warning lights and grinding brake noise for a few weeks. I brought the vehicle to Tasca Kia White Plains first time on 4/14/26 then again on 5/8/26. The dealership initially could not reproduce the issue, then later suspected an ABS sensor issue and ordered the part. On 5/12/26, before the repair was completed, I was driving downhill with my children in the vehicle when the brakes failed to respond properly. I had to steer off the roadway and go over rocks/boulders to stop the vehicle. At that time, the brakes would not respond normally, and I could not immediately shift the vehicle into Park. Police and towing services were involved. The dealership later replaced an ABS sensor. However, when I reviewed the codes with the service manager, I was told the ABS sensor code did not appear on the date of the brake incident. I was also told that an ABS sensor failure itself would not typically cause hydraulic brake failure. I am concerned that the sensor replacement does not explain the brake failure and that this may involve a brake/ABS/electronic stability control safety issue.

NHTSA ID 11738446 · filed May 18, 2026

My engine smells like fire and fuel my can will not start or do anything. There was smoke coming out of it. The van has had several issues since buying it. Now it’s completely disabled I heard a popping noise as I was driving and then it died and has not started since.

NHTSA ID 11723675 · filed Mar 11, 2026
All 22 reports naming electrical

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

18
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My front windshield on my 2022 Kia Carnival has shattered in two places from a small hit. I have owned lots of cars and never had a windshield break in two places all the way across. There must be an issue or problem.

NHTSA ID 11672647 · filed Jul 11, 2025

The windshield cracked while driving. Nothing hit it, it just cracked. Was 8inches long and now covers half the windshield. Obvious defect in the windshield. It is availability to see or I can take a picture. Safety is compromised by a cracked windshield that could get worse and hurt us. It has not been inspected and no warning lights went off

NHTSA ID 11569364 · filed Feb 1, 2024
All 18 reports naming visibility

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

17
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Engine light turns on every couple months. The Kia either stops accelerating and goes into “limp mode” or gives code for misfiring cylinders. Took to dealership several times, they did nothing but reset battery so light goes off. Unsafe when driving my family around and has turned into an unreliable vehicle. SO frustrating for a new vehicle to have these issues.

NHTSA ID 11729561 · filed Apr 6, 2026

My engine smells like fire and fuel my can will not start or do anything. There was smoke coming out of it. The van has had several issues since buying it. Now it’s completely disabled I heard a popping noise as I was driving and then it died and has not started since.

NHTSA ID 11723675 · filed Mar 11, 2026
All 17 reports naming engine

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

15
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SC368 CROSS OVER FUEL PIPE recall incomplete by kia of des moines

NHTSA ID 11748281 · filed Jul 4, 2026

I am writing to formally complain about the delay in repairing my vehicle under an active recall involving the fuel system/crossover fuel pump. I have been informed that the required part is on backorder and that the repair may not be available until the end of July. My concern is that I am experiencing strong fuel fumes in and around the vehicle. The odor is severe enough that it is causing headaches, and I do not feel it is safe for me or my children to ride in the vehicle. Given that this recall involves a fuel-related component, I am extremely concerned about both the health effects of continued exposure to the fumes and the potential risk of fire. At this time, I do not believe the vehicle is safe to operate. I am requesting that Kia provide an immediate solution, including one or more of the following: A loaner vehicle until the recall repair can be completed; Rental vehicle reimbursement; Expedited repair assistance; or Any other reasonable accommodation that ensures my family's safety.

NHTSA ID 11743703 · filed Jun 12, 2026
All 15 reports naming fuel system

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

11
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V908000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages, Structure); however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side power sliding door failed to latch securely. The contact used force while pushing the rear passenger’s side sliding door from the outside to latch the sliding door properly. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that it was unrelated to the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA ID 11753013 · filed Jul 27, 2026

Frame of drivers side seat broke in half. I weigh under. 200 pounds and am the primary driver of the car

NHTSA ID 11698724 · filed Nov 11, 2025
All 11 reports naming interior & seats

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

When traveling on the highway, the vehicle would not shift into a higher gear limiting the control of the vehicle to accelerate to the flow of traffic. The transmission would not shift for approximately 1/4 of a mile and was stuck at a max speed of ~35 mph and it would not accelerate. This loss of control almost caused an accident and put my family and self at extreme risk. Eventually the vehicle did finally shift gears allowing us to accelerate with the flow of traffic (60mph) This issue with a delay in shifting gears has intermittently happened on prior occasion when accelerating from a full stop, however, this was the first time it happened at an accelerated speed. The vehicle is not safe to operate and was towed to a service center; however, the issue is intermittent and not easily reproducible -- making it even more dangerous as you do not know when it will happen next.

NHTSA ID 11680096 · filed Aug 12, 2025

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, she noticed that the windshield was cracked from the passenger's side to the driver's side of the windshield. The vehicle was taken to an auto glass repair shop, where it was determined that the windshield needed to be replaced; however, the replacement windshield was not available. The windshield was replaced and was recalibrated after a month. The contact stated that after the repair, the Forward Collision Avoidance system was intermittently inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on another occasion, she noticed that the windshield was cracked. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

NHTSA ID 11567490 · filed Jan 24, 2024
All 9 reports naming driver assistance

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Engine light turns on every couple months. The Kia either stops accelerating and goes into “limp mode” or gives code for misfiring cylinders. Took to dealership several times, they did nothing but reset battery so light goes off. Unsafe when driving my family around and has turned into an unreliable vehicle. SO frustrating for a new vehicle to have these issues.

NHTSA ID 11729561 · filed Apr 6, 2026

Dealer says recall sc211 doesn’t apply to this vehicle, however CEL is displaying (once again) with DTC “P0191 Fuel Rail Pressure Sensor Range/Performance”. Kia dealer has does minimal investigation/diagnosis with no resolution.

NHTSA ID 11682506 · filed Aug 22, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The rear turn signals are too low and small in the vehicle and people are unable to notice it. Almost ended up in crash few times.

NHTSA ID 11578699 · filed Mar 21, 2024

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while her daughter was inside the vehicle, the door closed on her rib cage and arm, but medical attention was not provided. Additionally, the taillights were inoperable. While driving, the vehicle stalled. While accelerating and making a turn, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the weather stripping sensor needed to be replaced. The bulb was broken, and a wiring harness replacement was needed. The system was reset. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 1,187.

NHTSA ID 11535422 · filed Jul 31, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

When trying to alert a vehicle that was merging into my lane but did not see me, my horn did not work. It randomly does not work at times. Every once in a while it will. This poses as a danger and safety risk to drivers and passengers of my 2022 Kia Carnival for instances as such where another driver may need to be alerted if they don’t have safety features for blind spots, backing up, etc. I would have gotten struck by the other vehicle if I hadn’t slammed on my brakes and swerve towards the side of the road. I was lucky there was room on the side of the road to swerve to. If my horn would have worked, this could have been prevented. It’s still an ongoing issue with the horn randomly not working 90% of the time when needed. I can’t attach a video of my horn not working when the steering wheel horn is pressed or I would.

NHTSA ID 11590758 · filed May 25, 2024

Steering column leaking oil.

NHTSA ID 11558610 · filed Dec 5, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

With very low miles on our Carnival, I had just left a stop sign and someone ran their stop sign at high speed and tboned my vehicle in the driver's side. I woke up from being unconscious while still in driver seat and my car was still limping down the road not far from the intersection. Pretty serious head, back and other injuries and was taken via ambulance to the hospital. The problem is that despite a high speed impact into the side of my vehicle, NOT ONE of the airbags deployed! I am confident that my injuries, that now seem permanent, would have been MUCH less if the airbags had deployed as designed. The car was totalled by Insurance. I do have pictures of it.

NHTSA ID 11505365 · filed Feb 3, 2023

I was tboned on 3/10/2022 at high speed in the back driver's side 1/3 of the car by another who ran stop sign at high speed (I am guessing 50 or 60 mph). I have some amnesia about the impact now....but with large hematoma on left side of my head & concussion, my head must have hit the left side body/frame of the vehicle without the benefit of side curtain airbags that sure would have made this accident less traumatic to my body and brain. Currently the vehicle is being moved from an impound lot to State Farm' lot. We have not seen any warning lights or had any problems with this car up til now. It has not been inspected by any mechanics yet either.

NHTSA ID 11456403 · filed Mar 12, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My 2022 Kia Carnival, approximately 80,000 miles, had intermittent dashboard warning lights and grinding brake noise for a few weeks. I brought the vehicle to Tasca Kia White Plains first time on 4/14/26 then again on 5/8/26. The dealership initially could not reproduce the issue, then later suspected an ABS sensor issue and ordered the part. On 5/12/26, before the repair was completed, I was driving downhill with my children in the vehicle when the brakes failed to respond properly. I had to steer off the roadway and go over rocks/boulders to stop the vehicle. At that time, the brakes would not respond normally, and I could not immediately shift the vehicle into Park. Police and towing services were involved. The dealership later replaced an ABS sensor. However, when I reviewed the codes with the service manager, I was told the ABS sensor code did not appear on the date of the brake incident. I was also told that an ABS sensor failure itself would not typically cause hydraulic brake failure. I am concerned that the sensor replacement does not explain the brake failure and that this may involve a brake/ABS/electronic stability control safety issue.

NHTSA ID 11738446 · filed May 18, 2026

Auto hold engaged on car and failed to hold car. Resulted in a crash to my front gate and damage to the car as well as gate. Would not brake when pumping on brake upon collision to front gate. Sensor is now malfunctioning and Kia is not taking responsibility. Most recently the front windshield has a crack that was not caused by anything. Car is parked and covered in my driveway.

NHTSA ID 11439291 · filed Nov 4, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I repaired my front strut and in less than a year it is now “internally bent” is what the dealership told me. I now have 4 balled tires and 2 rear toe in tires and done 3 alignments in 1 year and I was told it’s my fault.

NHTSA ID 11513518 · filed Mar 23, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I repaired my front strut and in less than a year it is now “internally bent” is what the dealership told me. I now have 4 balled tires and 2 rear toe in tires and done 3 alignments in 1 year and I was told it’s my fault.

NHTSA ID 11513518 · filed Mar 23, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .