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Kia · Vans · 2026
Kia Carnival
88
19 complaints
status.verdict
status.safe
status.safe_sub
product.verdict_safe_minor
product.specifications
specs.g_fuel_economy
specs.city_mpg18
specs.highway_mpg25
specs.combined_mpg21
specs.annual_fuel_cost$3200
specs.ghg_score4 / 10
specs.g_engine_drivetrain
specs.engine_size3.5 L
specs.cylinders6
specs.fuel_typeRegular
specs.transmissionAutomatic (S8)
specs.drivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
CO₂428 g/mi
specs.g_classification
specs.vehicle_classMinivan - 2×2

specs.data_sourced_from FuelEconomy.gov (specs.energy_dept)

product.complaints_section19 total
KIA CARNIVAL 2026 STRUCTURE:BODY
high
Subject: Safety Complaint – Power Sliding Door Failure Injuring Child (2026 Kia Carnival) I am submitting a safety complaint regarding a 2026 Kia Carnival. During normal use, the vehicle’s automatic power sliding door closed while my [XXX] child was partially outside the vehicle near the door track area. The door continued to close and did not stop or reverse when it encountered my child, resulting in the child being pinned between the sliding door and the vehicle body. I physically intervened by placing my body in the path of the door to stop it and remove my child. The child sustained bruising to the legs and torso. The concern is a potential failure of the anti-pinch / obstruction detection system on the power sliding door, which is intended to prevent this type of injury. I am requesting that this incident be documented and reviewed as a potential safety defect. Vehicle: 2026 Kia Carnival Incident involved: automatic power sliding door failure to reverse upon obstruction Injury: bruising to a [XXX] child (legs and torso) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSAUSJun 2026Source →
KIA CARNIVAL 2026 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
low
Battery died at under 3,300 miles. After roadside came and jumped the batter, it died again after two days. Jumped again for the second time, when driving the car around it would randomly shut off even when the car is moving at higher speeds on freeway. The shut off would be for just one second and comes back on - everything starts resetting. And goes to user authoriztions notifications. Car shut off three times while driving around.
NHTSAUSMay 2026Source →
KIA CARNIVAL 2026 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
low
The car now auto locks on the vehicle upon exit, even with key fobs in the car. The first few months I had the car this did not happen. I left me keys and phone in the car. I turned vehicle off, exited the vehicle and walked around to get my daughter out of her car seat. After about 5-8 seconds of walking around. The car automatically locked. The key fob was placed in the center console. My 1 year old daughter was left trapped in the vehicle, placing her life in danger. I had to call emergency services and have them open it for me. This is a huge saftey concern. I never changed any setting to allow for this. The car should not auto lock, and definitely should not lock with keys in the vehicle a few seconds after exiting.
NHTSAUSApr 2026Source →
KIA CARNIVAL 2026 UNKNOWN OR OTHER
medium
Sliding Door Sensor Failed My daughter was getting in the van, when her brother hit the door button, if my husband wouldn’t have glanced over at that exact moment and pulled her back, this would’ve been another story. THE SENSOR IS NOT SENSITIVE ENOUGH! We as mothers are demanding sensors sensitive enough to detect smaller, fragile children!
NHTSAUSMar 2026Source →
KIA CARNIVAL 2026 SEAT BELTS
high
The contact owned a 2026 Kia Carnival. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle inadvertently hit a deer. The check engine warning light illuminated after the collision. The contact's wife was occupying the front passenger's side seat and the contact's daughter was occupying the rear driver's side seat during the collision. The air bags failed to deploy, and the seat belts failed to retract as needed. There was no reported injury. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot. The vehicle was then towed to an autobody, where it was totaled by the insurance company after further investigation. The dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle operated as designed upon reviewing pictures of the damaged vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 2,379.
NHTSAUSMar 2026Source →
product.discussion0 product.comments
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product.status_history
status.certifiedstatus.safe6 Jun 2026
Lemon Score: 89. 18 data points. v3 scoring.
status.uncertainstatus.certified31 May 2026
Lemon Score: 92. 9 data points. v3 scoring.
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