2023 KIA Carnival Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Carnival years
- Fewer complaints than other years 4th of 5 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 4 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 51 complaints with NHTSA about the 2023 KIA Carnival. That ranks 4th out of 5 Carnival model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is unknown or other (22 complaints, 43%). Complaints mention 1 crash, 7 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.

- 51owner complaints
- 4safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2023 KIA Carnival problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown or Other | 22 | 43% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 12 | 24% | 77,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 6 | 12% | 31,788 | — | — |
| Engine | 5 | 10% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 2 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 2 | 4% | 46,713 | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 2 | 4% | 3,337 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 4% | 63,476 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 2 | 4% | 30,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 4% | 6,669 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 2% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2023 KIA Carnival recalls (4)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Problem: 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.
Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC368. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 24, 2026.
Structure:body:roof and pillars
Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
Risk: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.
Structure:body:door
Problem: 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.
Risk: A power sliding door that does not auto-reverse can close on an occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the power sliding door control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC266.
Trailer hitchesPark outside
Problem: 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.
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and verify whether the vehicle is equipped with a Genuine Kia accessory trailer tow hitch assembly. If equipped, dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC265.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Fuel door actuator is electrically tied to cabin door locks with no manual release and frequently fails to open after repeatedly cycling cabin door locks. Issue is not due to bad batteries or other vehicle related electrical faults. Manufacturer has confirmed defect is present in all Kia models…
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle, causing the contactâs six children to become dizzy from the odor. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number…
Vehicle air conditioning sends off a vinegar like aroma. Likely condensation on coils.
I am filing a comprehensive complaint against Kia America and its authorized dealership for a prolonged failure to remedy a safety defect, ongoing consumer deception, and gross mismanagement of a federally mandated safety recall involving a severe fire hazard. Vehicle: 2022-2026 Kia Carnival NHTSA…
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the driverâs side roof molding ejected from the vehicle. The contact immediately stopped the vehicle but was unable to locate the molding. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The…
Other KIA Carnival years
← 2022 Carnival · 2024 Carnival →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Carnival | 28 | 2 |
| 2025 Carnival | 126 | 1 |
| 2024 Carnival | 75 | 2 |
| 2023 | 51 | 4 |
| 2022 Carnival | 136 | 6 |
See all KIA Carnival problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
Similar KIA models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2023 KIA Carnival?
Owners most often report unknown or other, structure, electrical system problems. The top one, unknown or other, accounts for 22 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2023 KIA Carnival?
Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2023 KIA Carnival a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Carnival model years, the 2023 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.