2023 Kia Carnival

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.

NHTSA ID

11766404

Incident

Sep 22, 2026

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 failed to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred after the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer might offer a buyback of the vehicle. The manufacturer opened a case. The failure mileage was 58,425.

NHTSA ID

11754708

Incident

Jul 24, 2026

Mileage

58,425 mi

Vehicle air conditioning sends off a vinegar like aroma. Likely condensation on coils.

NHTSA ID

11752598

Incident

Jan 1, 2026

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 Leak) [Chronology of Complete Events] June 29, 2026 (First Attempt): I brought my vehicle to Kia dealer shop to have Safety Recall 26V232 performed. The service department informed me that they did not have the necessary parts and the repair would take over a week. June 30, 2026 (Deceptive Release): The dealer contacted me to pick up the vehicle, stating they could not proceed with the recall due to a complete lack of parts. They only performed a standard engine oil change (unrelated to the recall) and promised they would contact me to reschedule as soon as the recall parts arrived. July 19, 2026 (Manufacturer Negligence): Nearly three weeks passed with zero follow-up from the dealer. I contacted Kia America Customer Care to lodge a formal complaint. Shockingly, Kia America responded by stating they do not assist with scheduling or coordinating parts availability, irresponsibly shifting the manufacturer's statutory obligation onto me to independently find another dealer. July 21, 2026 (False Assurances): Due to my persistent follow-ups, Kia Dealer finally called me. The dealership explicitly assured me over the phone that ALL necessary recall parts had physically arrived and were strictly secured for my vehicle. July 23, 2026 (Today - Repeated Deception): I dropped off my vehicle at 10:00 AM. I explicitly asked the service advisor to confirm if all recall work would be finished today. He promised it would be completed by the end of the day. However, at 5:50 PM—just ten minutes before closing—Dealer called to inform me that they could not finish the vehicle because they are "still waiting for a specific part."

NHTSA ID

11752515

Incident

Jul 23, 2026

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, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V025000 (STRUCTURE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 77,000.

NHTSA ID

11742271

Incident

May 31, 2026

Mileage

77,000 mi

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 manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

NHTSA ID

11741634

Incident

Apr 10, 2026

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 hand was spared the devastation a larger one would suffer. The dealership is pretending it’s unreproducible (even though I supplied them with video evidence to the contrary), and Kia Corporate (case # XXX) doesn’t appear any more likely to help. I reported the injury when it occurred on January 13th, 2026, to the dealership. They said they were sorry and would look into it. Nothing happened. I call, and they say they can’t fix it. I call again after I see the XXX v. XXX, et al., case was allowed to proceed, and I produce videos confirming the safety issue with sticks. They bring it in and claim in their exact words in the paperwork, “Found Doors to chime when an “abstruction” was present in the doorway and vehicle doors to stop when detecting an object. Started T/L case for documentation purposes.” In private, they tell me, “We cannot stop the force of the closing or fix it” and do not allow me to reproduce the safety issue for them to witness. I file a complaint with Corporate, and they tell me the dealership is saying it’s fine. I send the videos, and they say they will look into it. No resolution. Today, I produced a second set of videos to show the devastation the safety issue causes and the lack of response from the sensor, chimes, or the reopening of the door from an obstruction using bananas after the dealership declared it not reproducible. My special needs [XXX] daughter was harmed as pictured. The van itself is unsafe for children, which is the only reason anyone (including me) would purchase it. My children could be harmed again, but we cannot afford the burden of another car. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 55

NHTSA ID

11737829

Incident

Jan 13, 2026

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, 2025. Kia later indicated that the fuel tank, canister, and vent valve had been replaced. When the vehicle was returned to me on October 17, 2025, it still smelled like gas. Within 24–48 hours, the same or related safety issues returned, including strong fuel odor, loss of engine power, check engine light, abnormal fuel consumption, and later a visible fuel leak, which I documented on video. Because the vehicle did not feel safe, I stopped driving it on October 19, 2025. In March 2026, the vehicle was towed back to Kia for renewed diagnosis. Kia later reported that one fuel injector was leaking and performed additional repairs. My VIN now shows open unrepaired Recall SC368 / NHTSA Recall 26V232. That recall states that the high-pressure cross-over fuel pipe nuts may loosen over time, resulting in a fuel leak and fire risk. The recall warning signs include fuel smell and/or check engine light, which directly overlap with the exact symptoms I repeatedly experienced and reported. I am reporting that this vehicle had repeat fuel-related safety failures, a prior extended repair attempt that did not resolve the issue, and was previously returned to me in what I believe was an unsafe condition.

NHTSA ID

11734511

Incident

Jun 6, 2025

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 to 10 years / 120,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address a horn sound malfunction condition free of charge at no cost to the customer.

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 manufactured from January 4, 2021 through July 4, 2024, from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 10 years / 120,000 miles, whichever comes first, from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address a horn sound malfunction condition.

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.

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) vehicles produced from January 4, 2021 through July 4, 2024. The affected vehicles may experience a distorted or inoperative horn sound caused by excessive moisture and dust exposure over time. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the horn assembly has been extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 10 years / 120,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was first put into service.

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 2022-2024 MY Carnival vehicles manufactured from January 4, 2021 through July 4, 2024, from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 10 years / 120,000 miles, whichever comes first, from the date the vehicle was first put into service. This warranty extension is to address a horn sound malfunction condition.

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 of the power sliding door and its automatic stop and reversal feature in the Kia Carnival. The power sliding door feature is designed to enhance accessibility and ease of use, but it’s important to understand its functions and limitations to ensure safe and reliable operation.