RoadVitals

2024 Kia Carnival

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
76
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Apr 10, 2026
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
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.
2
12 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 76 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2024 Kia Carnival, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and fuel system categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 60 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Electrical1723.0%
  • Engine912.2%
  • Fuel system79.5%
  • Steering79.5%
  • Body & structure79.5%
  • Interior & seats79.5%
  • Driver assistance56.8%
  • Visibility34.1%

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

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

Apr 10, 2026
141,032 units potentially affected
The 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.
The risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: 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.
Kia America, Inc.Manufacturer number SC368View on NHTSA.gov

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

Jan 18, 2024
101,049 units potentially affected
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
The risk: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: 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.
Kia America, Inc.Manufacturer number SC292View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Body & structure
Filed Nov 6, 2026

Sliding door repeatedly gets stuck opening or closing. I'm afraid to transport our infant grandchildren in fears of being stranded with them because we can't close the door. It had been to the dealership twice along with videos of it happening but they said since it's not a TSB from kia, they can't replace door control module. Videos won't attach to this submission. Please advise additional way I can submit.

NHTSA ID
11776357
Incident
Oct 28, 2026
Electrical
Filed Oct 1, 2026

NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint Vehicle: 2024 Kia Carnival Mileage at Failure: Approximately 74,000 miles Incident Date: [XXX] I am filing this complaint regarding a significant safety-related failure involving the power sliding door on my 2024 Kia Carnival. On [XXX], the driver side passenger power sliding door became completely inoperable due to a latch and actuator failure. Prior to service, the door was stuck in the closed position and could not be opened through normal operation. The vehicle was brought to Kia of Columbia, Connecticut, for evaluation. During diagnosis, the service technician was required to force the door open. Once opened, the door could no longer be closed. The dealership determined that the power sliding door motor actuator had failed and required replacement. When I arrived to pick up the vehicle on [XXX], the sliding door remained stuck in the open position and could not be latched or secured. Because the door could not be closed, the vehicle was not safe to operate on public roads and was effectively undrivable. The replacement actuator was ordered on September 21, 2026. The part did not arrive until September 29, 2026, and repairs could not be completed immediately upon arrival. The actuator was finally replaced and repairs completed on September 30, 2026. As a result, the vehicle remained unusable for approximately twelve days due to the inability to safely secure the sliding door. This failure presents multiple safety concerns: The vehicle could not be legally or safely driven because the sliding door would not close or latch. Occupants were exposed to an open side doorway if the vehicle were operated. In an emergency, passengers could be placed at risk due to door system malfunction. Failure of a critical door component rendered the vehicle unusable without warning. I am particularly concerned because Kia has previously recalled Carnival vehicles for safety defects involving power sliding door INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)

NHTSA ID
11768250
Incident
Aug 10, 2026
Filed Sep 29, 2026
1 injury reported

On XXX, the passenger-side power sliding door of my 2024 Kia Carnival EX closed on my [XXX] child’s torso/chest while she was exiting the vehicle and did not stop or reverse before trapping her. I had walked toward the house and reached the garage when I heard an extremely loud scream of pain. I immediately ran back to the vehicle. When I reached her, I personally observed that her torso/stomach was still pinned against the vehicle by the closed power sliding door. She could not move herself away. I had to press the power door button to open the door and release her. She immediately had pain and visible linear red pressure/abrasion marks on her chest/rib area, followed by bruising. She reported increased pain with certain arm/upper-body movements and discomfort in the injured area with a deep breath. Photographs were taken immediately afterward. This occurred during normal use while she was exiting. She was not intentionally obstructing or testing the door. I had previous concerns about these doors and routinely warned my children not to activate them until everyone was clear. Approximately two weeks earlier, a separate accidental obstruction occurred with the OPPOSITE (driver-side) power sliding door. A book accidentally fell into that door’s path without the adult closing the door realizing it. When we later reopened the door, we discovered the book crushed/trapped inside the fully closed door. This was not an intentional test. There were no warning lights or messages. The vehicle has not been repaired or inspected since this injury, and I will not intentionally reproduce the incident because of the risk of injury. The vehicle is available for inspection. I am concerned because two separate obstruction incidents have now occurred involving BOTH power sliding doors, and the latest resulted in my child remaining physically trapped until I manually activated the door to release her. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11767906
Incident
Sep 29, 2026
Engine
Filed Sep 15, 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked violently and experienced a loss of motive power, with reduced power. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the warning lights were no longer illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle, and the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was awaiting diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,320.

NHTSA ID
11764470
Incident
Sep 14, 2026
Mileage
48,320 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 10, 2026

My 2024 Kia Carnival smells strongly like gasoline after about 15–20 minutes of driving. The smell gets worse at idle, worse the longer I drive, and seems even stronger with the A/C on. Two dealerships in Las Vegas have told me this is “normal.” Meanwhile, I can’t park it in my garage because the smell fills my house. I’ve had headaches and nausea, and my kids have complained of headaches and stomach aches too.

NHTSA ID
11763500
Incident
Sep 10, 2026
Filed Sep 7, 2026
1 injury reported

I was cleaning my van and my 2 year old daughter closed the opposite door and the sensors did not stop the door and she got her fingers smashed into the door and potentially broke her fingers, took her to the ER and we are to repeat X-rays in 7 to 10 days.

NHTSA ID
11762516
Incident
Sep 6, 2026
Brakes
Filed Sep 2, 2026

On 8/25/2026 I dropped the vehicle at Plaza Kia, 2699 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210 (Kia Repair Facility #7119189) for four open recalls: PI2501, PI2602, SC320, and SC368. Brakes were functioning normally at drop-off. Per repair order [XXX] dated 8/26/2026, only PI2501 and PI2602 (second-row seat recalls) were performed; SC320 (EGR valve) and SC368 (high-pressure crossover fuel pipe) were not completed — parts on special order. The dealer's multi-point inspection sheet, printed 8/26/2026 12:36 PM, marked brake fluid level/condition and brake system components as OK/green. The technician time log on the RO shows 0.0 actual hours for that day. The brake lining inspection panels on the sheet are blank. The dealer returned the vehicle to my residence via valet on 8/26/2026. On first use, the brake pedal was extremely hard and stiff with the engine running; the vehicle would only slow with full-force pedal pressure. I nearly collided with a parked vehicle exiting the parking space. I parked and did not drive it further. A vacuum-assist test (pump pedal engine off, hold, start engine) showed the pedal sinking only slightly, and braking under drive felt like engine-off braking — partial or total loss of power assist. Kia Roadside Assistance towed the vehicle to Plaza Kia. Plaza Kia refused to tow it themselves. Plaza Kia has since diagnosed a brake master cylinder failure and stated parts are approximately two weeks out. Repair is under warranty; updated RO pending. Kia Consumer Affairs case #[XXX] has been opened. Summary: brake power-assist failure on a 2024 Carnival at ~33,000 miles, occurring in dealer custody or immediately upon return from recall service, on the same day the dealer's inspection cleared the brake system. No prior brake symptoms. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11761672
Incident
Aug 26, 2026
Filed Aug 24, 2026

For the past year I have taken my vechicle in due to a strong vinegar smell that comes from the AC in the summer upon start up. They have been unable to remedy this issue. However they have said there is mold in the system. This posses a health issue due to poor air quality especially for small children in the vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11759022
Incident
Aug 4, 2025

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PSD_REMINDER2_106

STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

WTY048_OWNR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

WTY048_DP

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

WTY048_TSB

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

WTY048_QA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

WTY048_DPSM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kia Carnival by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026312060.0
20251281045.6
2024Viewing762058.3
2023534061.1
20221386167.1
2021000—
1999000—
1998000—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.