KIA Carnival Problems by Year
NHTSA has 416 owner complaints and 7 safety recalls on file for the KIA Carnival, across 5 model years (2022–2026). The 2022 model year has the most complaints (136). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
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KIA Carnival years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Carnival year: 2022, 2025. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2022 Carnival: 136 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2025 Carnival: 126 complaints, 1 recall
- 2024 Carnival: 75 complaints, 2 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common KIA Carnival problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 138 | 5 | 1 |
| Structure | 59 | 5 | 0 |
| Engine | 45 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 32 | 5 | 0 |
| Power Train | 19 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility/wiper | 17 | 4 | 0 |
| Seats | 15 | 4 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 14 | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 13 | 4 | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 12 | 5 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 8 | 4 | 1 |
| Visibility | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 7 | 4 | 4 |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 4 | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 7 | 4 | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Wheels | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 1 | 0 |
KIA Carnival problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2025: electrical system (84)
All KIA Carnival model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Carnival | 28 | 2 | — | Unknown or Other | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2025 Carnival | 126 | 1 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2024 Carnival | 75 | 2 | 5★ | Unknown or Other | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2023 Carnival | 51 | 4 | — | Unknown or Other | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2022 Carnival | 136 | 6 | — | Unknown or Other | Far more complaints than other years |
More from KIA: all KIA models · KIA VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which KIA Carnival years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2022 (136), 2025 (126) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Carnival year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the KIA Carnival?
Electrical System, with 138 complaints across 5 model years.
How many recalls does the KIA Carnival have?
7 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.