Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2023 Kia Carnival, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Unknown or other22
- Structure12
- Electrical system6
- Engine5
- Seat belts3
- Fuel/propulsion system3
- Chest clip, buckle, harness2
- Steering2
- Lane departure2
- Latches/locks/linkages2
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 7 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 4 2023 Carnival vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 1 person died inside them. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2023 Kia Carnival failed the safety check 0.69% of the time — 0% more often than the average 2023 passenger car (0.69%). Median odometer at inspection: 16,897 miles.
4,054first inspections
0.69%failed on safety
16,897 mimedian odometer
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
432 2023 cars are on the New Zealand register; 1% arrived as used imports, 99% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 1 variant; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Kia Carnival MV FWD | — | 0.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard & Optional
- Lane departure warning
- Standard
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 10.6 L/100 km (about 22 mpg US), CO₂ 252 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival · Minivan · Regular gasoline | 12.1 | 8.9 | 10.6 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 2023 Kia Carnival.
| 2026186 10 Apr 2026 | Fuel System Issue: On certain vehicles, the nuts for the crossover fuel pipe may not have been properly tightened. As a result, fuel could leak. Safety Risk: A fue… |
| 2024549 15 Aug 2024 | Label Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" a… |
| 2024023 19 Jan 2024 | Structure Issue: On certain vehicles, the roof trim may not be properly attached. As a result, the roof trim could loosen and separate from the vehicle. Safety Risk… |
| 2023182 29 Mar 2023 | Structure Issue: In certain situations, the power sliding door may not stop and reverse if it is blocked. Safety Risk: A power sliding door that doesn't stop when… |
| 2023149 17 Mar 2023 | Electrical Issue: Certain vehicles may be equipped with a 4-pin accessory trailer wiring harness kit that could fail. Over time, this could result in a short circuit tha… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
26V232000 · Fuel system, gasoline10 Apr 2026 · 141,032 vehicles
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.
24V025000 · Structure18 Jan 2024 · 101,049 vehicles
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
23V236000 · Structure31 Mar 2023 · 51,568 vehicles
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling all 2022 and certain 2023 Carnival vehicles. The auto-reverse feature for the power sliding doors (PSD) may not activate in all situations.
23V179000 · Trailer hitches17 Mar 2023 · 3,555 vehicles
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Carnival vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Kia told its dealers about the 2023 Kia Carnival: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010698 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 8) to remedy a non-responsive or inoperative radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc.) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the RADIO hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecting the RA |
| 11005368 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0V/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE - This bulletin provides information to update the software on Display Audio 2.0 (D2V) and 5th Generation AVN Wide (AVN5W) head units on certain 2021-2023MY Kia vehicles. The affected vehicles may experience Apple CarPlay/Android Auto phone projection connectivity-related concerns. |
| 11000787 | This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced. |
| 11000141 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: LAMBDA-III 3.5L GDI ENGINE DTC P00B7 ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC290) - This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) system on some 2022-2024MY Carnival (KA4) vehicles produced from January 4, 2021 through November 6, 2023. The subject vehicles may have engine calibrations that were not optimized for emissions standards under certain specific conditions, which may cause the vehicle to release air pollution which exceed Federal and California standards. As a result, the subject |
| 11000135 | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC290) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to ensure compliance with emissions regulations. |
| 10254429 | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign SC290. |
| 10254428 | SC290_STKR: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN COMPLETION LABEL/STICKER |
| 10254427 | SC290_POC: PROOF OF CORRECTION CARD |
| 10254426 | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS & SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC290) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2022-2024 MY Kia Carnival vehicles equipped with Lambda 3.5L engines manufactured from January 4, 2021 to November 6, 2023 to improve the emissions logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to ensure compliance with emissions regulations. |
| 10254425 | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC290) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting g a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2022-2024 MY Kia Carnival vehicles equipped with Lambda 3.5L engines manufactured from January 4, 2021 to November 6, 2023 to improve the emissions logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to ensure compliance with emissions regulations. |
| 10253811 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: DISPLAY AUDIO 2.0/AVN5W SOFTWARE UPDATE (SA569) - This bulletin provides information to update the software on Display Audio 2.0 (D2V) and 5th Generation AVN Wide (AVN5W) head units on certain 2022-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 9). The affected vehicles may experience various concerns related to Apple CarPlay/Android Auto phone projection connectivity. |
| 10252112 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: ECM LOGIC UPDATE FOR DTC P2118 AND THROTTLE BODY FREEZING (SA514) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) system on some 2022-2024MY Carnival (KA4) vehicles produced from January 4, 2021 through November 6, 2023, which may exhibit an MIL "ON" with DTC P2118. The throttle body plate may freeze after a cold soak in very cold temperatures, p |
| 10250785 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: ECM LOGIC UPDATE FOR DTC P2118 AND THROTTLE BODY FREEZING (SA514) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) system on some 2022-2024MY Carnival (KA4) vehicles produced from January 4, 2021 through October 26, 2022, which may exhibit an MIL "ON" with DTC P2118. The throttle body plate may freeze after a cold soak in very cold temperatures, p |
| 10250517 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a 'non-responsive' or 'inoperative' radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc. ) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the 'RADIO' hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecti |
| 10244293 | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to install steel reinforcement plates on the second-row seat outer rails in certain 2022-2024 MY Kia Carnival vehicles equipped with sliding and removable second-row seats (excluding SX-Prestige equipped with the second-row lounge seats). Customers receiving this letter have already had this product improvement campaign performed. Since then, there have been additional improvements to the mounting bolts used for the installation of the steel |
| 10244288 | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: INSTALLATION OF STEEL REINFORCEMENT PLATES FOR 2ND ROW SEAT OUTER RAILS (PI2301) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information to install steel reinforcement plates on the second-row seat outer rails in certain 2022-2024MY Carnival (KA4) vehicles (excluding SX-Prestige with the second-row lounge seats) produced from January 4, 2021 through August 21, 2023. This campaign is to reinforce the mounting points of the 2nd-row se |
| 10243928 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: UNEVEN/SLIPPERY ROAD WARNING DISPLAYED ON INSTRUMENT CLUSTER - This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a warning sound accompanied by a 'Slippery road ahead. Drive carefully' or 'Uneven road ahead. Drive carefully' warning which is displayed on the instrument cluster. The current AVN software causes the warning sound and message to repeat approximately every ten (10) seconds, if the vehicle is not in motion, in 'PARK' or driving on even surfaces |
| 10242982 | This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2024MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 3) to remedy a 'non-responsive' or 'inoperative' radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc. ) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the 'RADIO' hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecting the 'RADIO' icon on the AVN menu screen. |
| 10242577 | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: INSTALLATION OF STEEL REINFORCEMENT PLATES FOR 2ND ROW SEAT OUTER RAILS (PI2301) - PI2301 TEMPORARILY ON HOLD PENDING UPDATED PARTS. |
| 10242233 | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to install steel reinforcement plates on the second-row seat outer rails in certain 2022-2024 MY Kia Carnival vehicles equipped with sliding and removable second-row seats (excluding SX-Prestige equipped with the second-row lounge seats). This is an update following a notice that was issued in August 2023. Kia is currently experiencing an unexpected parts supply issue which is expected to continue until the first week of October 2023. K |
| 10242232 | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to install steel reinforcement plates on the second-row seat outer rails in certain 2022-2024 MY Kia Carnival vehicles equipped with sliding and removable second-row seats (excluding SX-Prestige equipped with the second-row lounge seats). This is an update following a notice that was issued to Kia dealers in August 2023. Kia is currently experiencing an unexpected parts supply issue which is expec |
| 10242231 | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the Dealer Principals that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to install steel reinforcement plates on the second-row seat outer rails in certain 2022-2024 MY Kia Carnival vehicles equipped with sliding and removable second-row seats (excluding SX-Prestige equipped with the second-row lounge seats). This is an update following a notice that was issued to Kia dealers in August 2023. Kia is currently experiencing an unexpected parts supply issue which is expected to continue until the first |
| 10241848 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - This bulletin provides information to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide on certain 2020-2023MY Kia vehicles to remedy a 'non-responsive' or 'inoperative' radio (FM, AM, SXM, etc.) concern. The affected AVN unit on the vehicles may not respond when pressing the 'RADIO' hard key/button on the AVN unit or when selecting the 'RADIO' icon on the AVN menu screen. Follow the procedure outlined in this publication to update the software on 5th Generation AVN wide units using |
| 10240749 | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: INSTALLATION OF STEEL REINFORCEMENT PLATES FOR 2ND ROW SEAT OUTER RAILS (PI2301) - This bulletin provides information to install steel reinforcement plates on the second-row seat outer rails in certain 2022-2024MY Carnival (KA4) LX/LXS/EX/SX vehicles (without relaxation/power seat feature) produced from January 4, 2021 through August 9, 2023. This campaign is to reinforce the mounting points of the 2nd-row seat to the floor and minimize potential seat rail detachment, should a certain rare crash event occur. |
| 10240748 | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to install steel reinforcement plates on the second-row seat outer rails in certain 2022-2024 MY Kia Carnival LX/LXS/EX/SX vehicles equipped with sliding and removable second-row seats (excluding SX-Prestige). |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)