2024 Kia Carnival Complaints

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM — Filed 08/10/2026

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)(6)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/29/2026

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)

ENGINE — Filed 09/14/2026

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 09/10/2026

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 09/06/2026

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 08/26/2026

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)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/04/2025

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.

LANE DEPARTURE — Filed 06/23/2026

On our 2024 KIA Carnival, which my wife is the primary driver, the blind spot warning on the passenger side does not work all the time. Driver side is 100% okay. She drives on I40 and hwy111 to and from work daily, and when passing on the left, she looks for the red triangle to let her know it is clear to get back in the right lane. It only works about 50% of the time and the dealership has worked on it three times unsuccessfully, so we put in a complaint to KIA corporate in June and they have been very unresponsive. We keep the vehicle clean, so it is not that. She just wants it to be reliable for safety reasons and it is not. It probably just takes a different set of engineering eyes to look at it but KIA seems like a dead end so far. Please help us. Thanks. BTW, the people at the dealership have been very good to us, we just believe engineers at a higher level need to solve this problem.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 07/27/2026

Recall SC368 was performed. After the recall repair, I began smelling gasoline. The dealer has diagnosed a separate fuel-system issue requiring multiple parts including replacement of the fuel tank. More details: My vehicle underwent a safety recall for a fuel leak/fire risk. Following that repair, I developed a strong gasoline odor. My Kia dealer has now identified a separate fuel-system problem that requires replacement of multiple components, including the fuel tank. The dealer has informed me that multiple Carnivals in Arizona are experiencing the same problem and that a replacement fuel tank is currently unavailable nationwide. I do not have a repair date and I do not consider the vehicle safe to drive.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 07/24/2026

This specific van has 2 open recalls already: 1 on a rear seat issue and 1 on a fuel pipe issue which is why i submitted to KIA dealer in the first place after smelling gas inside the cabin of my car while driving for 3 days until the dealer opened. While at the dealer they found a manufacture defect of the gas tank expanding in the heat and releasing liquid fuel into the charcoal cannister meant to catch fumes. The fumes then go into the cabin of the car and smell and make passengers sick as well as create a fire safety hazard on the vehicle. After discovering this they have informed me that the parts for this defect as well as the fuel pipe recall are on national backorder and the solution was to siphon off 1/4 tank of brand new gas and told me not to fill past 3/4 fulls or smoke in the vehicle and they THINK it SHOULD be fine. Google disagrees with this and says once the cannister has had liquid fuel in it, it can cause more problems. They have no loaners to offer as there are too many KIA recalls and they have no ETA on the parts coming in. I have been offered no solutions that are safe besides hold on to the vehicle and maybe it will be ok.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 06/26/2026

Incident description: While driving, the vehicle’s dashboard illuminated all warning lights (ABS, traction control, battery, check engine, forward safety system) and the engine revved to approximately 8,000 RPM with unintended rapid acceleration. Driver had to apply hard braking to maintain control and avoid a collision. A nearly identical event occurred approximately one month earlier while driving on the highway, at which point the vehicle suddenly braked hard on its own. The vehicle has been at the dealership for repair a combined 38 days across two visits. The dealer initially attributed the first event to a failed alternator voltage regulator, replaced it, but the same warning codes and behavior returned on the second occasion. Crash/injury: No collision occurred; avoided through evasive braking. Speed: Highway speed (both instances). Incident description: While driving, the vehicle’s dashboard illuminated all warning lights (ABS, traction control, battery, check engine, forward safety system) and the engine revved to approximately 8,000 RPM with unintended rapid acceleration. Driver had to apply hard braking to maintain control and avoid a collision. A nearly identical event occurred approximately one month earlier while driving on the highway, at which point the vehicle suddenly braked hard on its own. The vehicle has been at the dealership for repair a combined 38 days across two visits. The dealer initially attributed the first event to a failed alternator voltage regulator, replaced it, but the same warning codes and behavior returned on the second occasion. Crash/injury: No collision occurred; avoided through evasive braking. Speed: Highway speed (both instances).

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 07/07/2026

While stopped, the brake pedal drops to the floor and the vehicle begins to roll forward. I went to the dealership and told them what happened, they told me there is no recall on this, and it is a "normal part of driving". This is not a normal part of any braking system. The pedal should not drop to the floor while stopped with your foot on the pedal. No warning system lights that came on. This happens frequently. You have to start pumping the brake repeatedly to get the vehicle to stop. It will eventually raise off the floor.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES — Filed 05/10/2026

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while her husband was loading the child into the car seat. The rear button for the door was depressed by the child. The husband became stuck in between the sliding doors. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to his previously injured rotary cuff, but medical attention was not provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 35,815.

POWER TRAIN — Filed 04/07/2026

I purchased this 2024 Kia Carnival on 2/7/2026 with less than 10K miles. The vehicle has died while I was driving 4 different times. Twice each day that it happened. The first time was on 4/7/26. My car died on the way home from getting my kids from school after fixing a flat tire. The check engine light came on after getting a jump and when I took it to Auto Zone the battery was fully charged and the codes were for the Power Train, which didn't make sense for a brand new car. Miracle Mart told me that Kia needed to be utilized for any issues because I purchased the vehicle as is. Their solution was to tighten the "loose cables". On 4/25/26 the car died again two more times. Something is terribly wrong with this car.

ENGINE — Filed 04/27/2026

Our 2024 Carnival has had a recurring engine oil leak that has required the vehicle to be left at the dealership 4 times for the same issue. Each time we get the van back the repair lasts about 1-3 weeks (depending on how often it's driven). Oil continues to leak from the engine area, creating risk of engine damage or a potential fire hazard if oil contacts hot components. The issue has not been resolved despite repeated repair attempts under warranty. The Carnival has 38,092 miles on it, and has been in the repair shop over 4 times. The 1st time it was put in the shop the van has 34,420 miles on it. Each time it has been left at the dealership for 9 - 17 days while the repairs were made. We have brought it to the same dealership each time and they have been very sympathetic and helpful. Not only does this issue cause the risks mentioned above, but it has ruined the concrete in my garage as well as added oil to the roadway which could cause an accident. I have all the repair orders from the first 3 repairs that I will attach. However I do not have thee current one because the vehicle is currently being repaired for the 4th time and I haven't received the finalized repair order documents. I can update this claim once the repairs are completed. I will be contacting Kia tomorrow and wanted to have a claim number started.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 04/15/2026

The fuel pipe in my 2024 Kia Carnival has been identified by Kia as part of Safety Recall SC368 due to a fire risk. The component is available for inspection at the dealership where the vehicle is currently located. My safety and the safety of my family — including young children in car seats — was put at risk because the vehicle carries a known fire hazard related to the fuel pipe, yet no remedy is available until June 2026 at the earliest, according to Kia Customer Care. Kia confirmed the recall and the fire risk but has not provided adequate alternative transportation, leaving a family with young children without a safe vehicle for an extended period. The problem has been confirmed by Kia Customer Care, who verified that my vehicle is included in recall SC368. The dealership also confirmed the recall exists but stated the remedy is not yet available. However, when I contacted NHTSA by phone to file a complaint, the representative stated they could not find my vehicle in their recall database, directly contradicting Kia's confirmation. This discrepancy between Kia's internal records and NHTSA's database is concerning and may prevent other affected owners from being aware of the safety risk. The vehicle has been surrendered to the dealership via tow due to the fire risk. It has not yet been inspected or diagnosed by the dealership service department. I have requested written confirmation that the vehicle is safe to drive before accepting it back. I was notified via a CARFAX alert and the risk was identified/confirmed by the manufacturer.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 06/17/2024

I reported a fuel smell in the cabin of my vehicle in June 2024. It was dismissed because they could not recreate the smell. I reported it again and they said that is just how the vehicle purges fuel. I reported it again and drove it right to the dealer when it smelled and multiple mechanics at KIA confirmed they smelled it. Reported it again in September 2024, then tried to deal with it, and reported it again in June and July 2025. In July they confirmed I had raw fuel in my evaporator canister. I also had misfire notifications on my dashboard which were dismissed as they could not determine where the misfire was coming from. The misfire stopped after they replaced my fuel canister but the smell never fully went away. I received an email follow up in July 2025 and I reported the smell was not as strong, but still occurring intermittently. They closed the case. I reported and had 2 open cases with KIA, and noted that I was feeling lightheaded and nauseous, as well as 2 of my 3 kids at the time.

SEATS — Filed 11/12/2025

On 11/12, my 2024 Kia Carnival was parked as my children were getting settled in the vehicle. My son lifted the second-row passenger seat on the passenger side using the handle provided to access the third row. As he did so, the seatback suddenly collapsed forward with unexpected speed and force and locked in the forward position. Nothing broke, and the mechanism did not appear to jam. The seat moved along its normal path, but it did so so aggressively that it crushed my [XXX] daughter’s left leg while she was strapped into her car seat directly next to it. She was asleep, the car was not moving, and the seat feature was being used in a normal way to access the third row. The force of the collapsing seat fractured her left tibia, confirmed by X-ray. She is currently in a medical boot and under a doctor’s care. This vehicle has no accident history and no modifications. We have multiple witnesses (myself and our children), photos of the injury, and a video that shows how fast and forcefully the seat folds. This presents a serious safety risk in a family vehicle where children commonly sit behind folding second-row seats. A seat access mechanism should not be capable of moving with enough force to break a toddler’s bone in a parked vehicle. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this seat design and its operation in the 2024 Kia Carnival. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE — Filed 10/29/2025

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal gas odor would emit through the vehicle's ventilation system. The contact notified a local dealer, and an appointment was made to have the vehicle serviced. The vehicle was inspected, and the contact was informed that there was likely bacteria growing inside the vehicle, which caused the odor. The contact disputed this claim and recommended that the air filters be replaced; the contact paid for the repair. Despite the repair, the contact stated that the fuel odor had become a chemical odor, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer confirmed that they had smelled a fuel odor inside the vehicle and informed the contact that she had overfilled her fuel tank with gas. While the contact also disputed this claim, the dealer later concluded that the dipstick inside the oil pan was not properly sealed, and the dealer repaired the defect. Despite the dealer's claims and repairs, the fuel odor had become stronger. The contact stated that the odor had become so severe that she went to the emergency room to be treated for nausea and lightheadedness. The contact was given medication for her symptoms. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was given a case number. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 06/02/2025

We have a 2024 kia carnival lx trim. The power sliding door pose a serious safety risk. My [XXX] daughter was getting out of the vehicle and decided to try and climb back in as the door was closing. The door did not detect her body at all and continued to close her head in the door. She was left with a black eye and a smashed blood shot thumb from trying to get her head out of the door. A few days later I was strapping my children into their carseats and was getting ready to step out of the vehicle when my husband turned the vehicle on. The power sliding door stopped closing and started re-opening then closing again. I thought I had enough time to step out but didn't the door closed with my entire adult body in the way without detecting me there. It took for me to excessively force to door to open back up and I now have a shoulder injury from doing so. We really need these doors to be recalled and a proper sensor to be installed on them. Had my daughter been younger than she was things could have been way more serious. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER — Filed 08/16/2024

Rear passenger side seat rails getting extremely hot after short time idling <15 minutes. Enough that I burned my foot tending to my infant in the middle row.

SEATS — Filed 07/29/2024

The rails/tracks that the seats slide forward and back on get extremely hot while the car is on. The seat rails/tracks are exposed so the seats can slide and passengers have to step on them to get in and out. The amount of heat coming from the seat rails/tracks poses a burn risk, especially to children’s delicate feet.

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/04/2024

Car hit a ditch at over 40MPH and rolled over on its side and no airbags deployed

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 10/06/2023

Driver was approaching the end of [XXX] and attempted to turn left onto the ramp to [XXX] but without prior warning the brakes and the steering wheel failed and he couldn’t turn or stop the car which resulted in the vehicle hitting the guardrail. The driver endured injuries on his hand, and overall emotional trauma. My insurance company refused to check the cars computer to prove that the car indeed failed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

SEATS — Filed 12/02/2023

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that the vehicle was designed with a manual and an automatic control system that allowed the seats the move forward. The contact stated that he activated the automatic control button on the left side of the second-row driver's side seat to move the seat forward. The contact stated that the backrest of the seat lowered, and the seat moved forward abruptly within a second and struck the right side of his forehead. The contact sustained a bruise. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 500.