Kia Carnival
Kia · Vans · 2023
Kia Carnival
91
7 complaints
status.verdict
status.certified
status.certified_sub
product.specifications
specs.g_fuel_economy
specs.city_mpg19
specs.highway_mpg26
specs.combined_mpg22
specs.annual_fuel_cost$3050
specs.ghg_score5 / 10
specs.g_engine_drivetrain
specs.engine_size3.5 L
specs.cylinders6
specs.fuel_typeRegular
specs.transmissionAutomatic (S8)
specs.drivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
CO₂408 g/mi
specs.g_classification
specs.vehicle_classMinivan - 2×2

specs.data_sourced_from FuelEconomy.gov (specs.energy_dept)

product.complaints_section7 total
KIA CARNIVAL 2023 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
medium
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.
NHTSAUSApr 2026Source →
KIA CARNIVAL 2023 SERVICE BRAKES
high
ABS was activating inappropriately creating a grinding/pulsating noise while I was attempting to stop at a light. The vehicle did slow down but despite the completely dry road service and sufficient stopping distance, the vehicle never came to a stop and ran into the vehicle in front of me. The vehicle is currently in the autobody shop to be repaired as it is not drivable (leaking fluids). I will be contacting my insurance company and an independent service center shortly to have it inspected. I will also be contacting Kia America, Inc.. There were no warning lamps or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.
NHTSAUSFeb 2026Source →
KIA CARNIVAL 2023 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
medium
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that during freezing weather, the button was depressed to open the driver's side rear sliding door, and the door automatically opened; however, the motor reached a point of resistance and attempted to close the sliding door. Due to the failure of the cable in the door snapped behind the glass window. The contact manually opened the sliding door and used excessive force to close the door. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who confirmed that the door cable had snapped. The contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty; however, the dealer reached out to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer later agreed to partial assistance with the repair. The contact paid for the remaining cost of the repair. The manufacturer was contacted about the repair and provided a case number. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 63,476.
NHTSAUSJan 2026Source →
KIA CARNIVAL 2023 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
high
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
NHTSAUSJan 2026Source →
KIA CARNIVAL 2023 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
medium
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 contact was given a diagnostic fee from the dealers, but declined to pay for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
NHTSAUSJan 2026Source →
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product.status_history
status.uncertainstatus.certified27 May 2026
Lemon Score: 100. 0 data points. v3 scoring.
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