What is the 2022-2025 Kia Carnival Engine Stalling and Unexpected Loss of Motive Power While Driving?

Owners report the Carnival stalling or losing motive power while driving, sometimes in moving traffic, frequently accompanied by an illuminated check-engine light. Several NHTSA filings describe the vehicle cutting off multiple times, shaking uncontrollably, or being unable to ex… Repairs typically run $150-$2,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2022-2025 Kia Carnival High-Pressure Fuel Crossover Pipe / Fuel Rail Leak Fire Risk (Recall 26V232)?

NHTSA campaign 26V232000 (Kia SC368) covers 2022-2026 Carnival vehicles. High-pressure cross-over fuel-pipe nuts may loosen over time, allowing fuel to leak at the connection between the pipe and fuel rail. Fuel odor or a check-engine light may precede the leak; fuel near an igni… Severity: high.

What is the 2022-2023 Kia Carnival Second-Row Captain's Chair Detaches in IIHS Side Crash Test?

During IIHS updated side-crash testing, the left second-row captain's chair tore loose from the floor, tipping the seat and rear-passenger dummy into the third-row area — a serious injury risk to that occupant and others. Kia strengthened the seat-attachment rails on Carnivals bu… Severity: high.

What is the 2022-2024 Kia Carnival Roof Molding Loosens and Detaches (Recall 24V025 / SC292)?

NHTSA campaign 24V025000 (Kia SC292) covers certain 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles that do not have roof rails. Interference between a retaining clip and excess roof-panel sealer, or improper assembly installation, may allow a roof molding to loosen or detach. A detached molding can… Severity: high.

What is the 2022-2023 Kia Carnival Tow Hitch Harness Water Intrusion Causing Fire Risk?

NHTSA campaign 23V179000 (Kia SC265) covers certain 2022-2023 Carnival vehicles equipped with a Genuine Kia trailer-tow-hitch harness. Water may enter the harness connector and short the module printed circuit board, creating a fire risk while driving or while parked with the ign… Severity: high.

What is the 2022-2025 Kia Carnival A/C Compressor Premature Failure and Weak Cooling (Service Action SA632)?

Owners report the air conditioning gradually losing cooling or quitting entirely, sometimes at low mileage. Kia issued service action SA632 for certain 2025-2026 Carnivals citing excessive clearance between the compressor piston and cylinder that reduces its ability to compress r… Repairs typically run $0-$2,000. Severity: high.

What is the 2022-2025 Kia Carnival Phantom Braking / Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist False Activation?

Owners report the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) / AEB system braking or alarming with no real obstacle present (phantom braking), including on highways, on curved roads, and when cresting slopes where the radar misreads adjacent vehicles or terrain. Unexpected automati… Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: high.

What is the 2022-2026 Kia Carnival Second- and Third-Row Seat Belt Buckle Anchor Bolts Non-Compliant (Recall SC372)?

Kia is recalling 2022-2026 Carnival vehicles because the second- and third-row seat belt buckle anchor bolts do not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209 (Seat Belt Assemblies). The anchor bolts may not hold the buckle securely, so in a crash a rear-seat occupant may… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

What is the 2022-2025 Kia Carnival Power Sliding Door Latch and Motor Failure?

The Kia Carnival (2022-2025) develops issues with the power sliding door system where the door fails to open, close, or latch properly. The power sliding door motor can fail or the latch mechanism becomes misaligned. Some owners report the door opening on its own while driving. K… Repairs typically run $200-$1,200. Severity: medium.

What is the 2022-2025 Kia Carnival 8-Speed Automatic Transmission Torque-Converter Shudder and Harsh/Delayed Shifts?

The 8-speed automatic exhibits torque-converter lockup-clutch shudder in ECO/Smart drive mode at low RPM (roughly 1,300-1,900 RPM, ~40-55 mph) under light acceleration, often described as a vibration or misfire-like sensation that does not occur in Sport mode. Owners also report… Severity: medium.

What is the 2022-2023 Kia Carnival Idle Stop & Go (ISG) Phantom Activation / Engine Shuts Off (Service Action SA508)?

Some Carnival owners report the vehicle behaving as though it has the Idle Stop & Go auto stop/start feature it was not equipped with, shutting the engine off at stops unexpectedly. Kia addressed this with service action SA508, a dealer-applied software update. The unexpected shu… Repairs typically run $0-$400. Severity: medium.

What is the 2022-2025 Kia Carnival Premature Front Brake Rotor Warping and Pedal Pulsation?

Multiple owners report front brake rotors warping early, producing steering-wheel/brake-pedal pulsation and vibration under braking, with some reporting recurrence even after rotors are replaced or resurfaced. Owners and forum discussion attribute it to the minivan's curb weight… Repairs typically run $300-$800. Severity: medium.

What is the 2022-2025 Kia Carnival Excessive Engine Oil Consumption on the 3.5L Lambda III GDI V6?

Some Carnival owners report the 3.5L GDI V6 consuming noticeable oil between changes (commonly 0.25-0.5 qt, with heavier cases reported), a pattern tied to low-tension piston rings and GDI carbon buildup that affects many direct-injection engines. The risk with the Carnival's lar… Repairs typically run $0-$6,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 2022-2025 Kia Carnival Panoramic Sunroof Drain Clog Causing Wet Headliner / Interior Water Leak?

Carnivals with the panoramic sunroof can leak water into the cabin, showing up as a wet headliner or damp footwells after heavy rain. The sunroof relies on corner drain tubes that route water down the pillars; debris clogs the tubes (or seals age/misalign), so water backs up and… Repairs typically run $100-$600. Severity: medium.

What is the 2022-2025 Kia Carnival 3.5L V6 Cold-Start Ticking / Valve-Train Rattle?

Owners of 3.5L Lambda III V6 Carnivals report a distinct ticking or rattling noise for a few seconds on cold start that fades as the engine warms and oil pressure builds. Reported root causes include the timing-chain tensioner briefly losing its prime, the high-pressure GDI fuel… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: medium.

What is the 2022-2025 Kia Carnival Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) Camera Blank / Distorted Feed?

The side-mirror Blind-Spot View Monitor cameras that display a live feed in the cluster when signaling can flicker, show a distorted image, or go blank. Owners report the cluster feed dropping out and the blind-spot/rear-cross-traffic systems disabling entirely, sometimes needing… Repairs typically run $300-$900. Severity: medium.

What is the 2022-2025 Kia Carnival Clear-Coat Delamination and Paint Peeling / Chipping (Especially Snow White Pearl)?

Owners report the paint on low-mileage, often garage-kept Carnivals chipping down to primer within weeks and, in some cases, the base coat/clear coat delaminating and lifting in sheets. Light colors, particularly Snow White Pearl, appear most affected, consistent with a wider Hyu… Repairs typically run $500-$3,000. Severity: medium.

What is the 2022-2024 Kia Carnival Infotainment System Freezing and Phone Projection Failures?

Kia Carnival vehicles equipped with Display Audio 2.0 and 5th Generation AVN Wide head units experience frequent infotainment issues including frozen screens, black screens, and intermittent Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity failures. The system may disconnect during ph… Repairs typically run $0-$200. Severity: low.

What is the 2022-2024 Kia Carnival Spontaneous Windshield Cracking Without Impact?

Numerous Kia Carnival owners report windshields cracking spontaneously without any visible impact from road debris. Cracks often appear near the base of the windshield or along the edges and spread rapidly across the entire glass. NHTSA received at least 14 complaints for the 202… Repairs typically run $300-$800. Severity: low.

Kia · Known Issues

2023 Kia Carnival Problems: 23 Known Issues

2023 model year · 847+ owner reports · Updated August 2026

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According to Au7o's analysis of 847+ owner reports, the 2023 Kia Carnival has 23 documented known issues, with 9 rated critical. The most serious are Power Sliding Door Auto-Reverse Failure Causing Injuries ($0-$0 repair), Engine Stalling and Unexpected Loss of Motive Power While Driving ($150-$2,500 repair), High-Pressure Fuel Crossover Pipe / Fuel Rail Leak Fire Risk (Recall 26V232), Second-Row Captain's Chair Detaches in IIHS Side Crash Test, Roof Molding Loosens and Detaches (Recall 24V025 / SC292), Tow Hitch Harness Water Intrusion Causing Fire Risk, A/C Compressor Premature Failure and Weak Cooling (Service Action SA632) ($0-$2,000 repair), Phantom Braking / Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist False Activation ($0-$1,200 repair) and Second- and Third-Row Seat Belt Buckle Anchor Bolts Non-Compliant (Recall SC372).

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Kia Carnival problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 847+ owner reports, the 2023 Kia Carnival has 23 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Power Sliding Door Auto-Reverse Failure Causing Injuries, Engine Stalling and Unexpected Loss of Motive Power While Driving, High-Pressure Fuel Crossover Pipe / Fuel Rail Leak Fire Risk (Recall 26V232). Of these, 9 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Kia Carnival reliable?

The 2023 Kia Carnival has 23 known issues documented across 847+ owner reports. 9 issues are rated critical: Power Sliding Door Auto-Reverse Failure Causing Injuries and Engine Stalling and Unexpected Loss of Motive Power While Driving and High-Pressure Fuel Crossover Pipe / Fuel Rail Leak Fire Risk (Recall 26V232) and Second-Row Captain's Chair Detaches in IIHS Side Crash Test and Roof Molding Loosens and Detaches (Recall 24V025 / SC292) and Tow Hitch Harness Water Intrusion Causing Fire Risk and A/C Compressor Premature Failure and Weak Cooling (Service Action SA632) and Phantom Braking / Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist False Activation and Second- and Third-Row Seat Belt Buckle Anchor Bolts Non-Compliant (Recall SC372). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Kia Carnival problems?

Repair costs for known Kia Carnival issues range from $0 to $6,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Power Sliding Door Auto-Reverse Failure Causing Injuries, typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2022-2024 Kia Carnival Power Sliding Door Auto-Reverse Failure Causing Injuries?

The power sliding rear doors on the Kia Carnival may fail to auto-reverse when contacting an obstruction such as a person, child, or pet. The pinch sensors along the door edge require excessive force to trigger, allowing the door to continue closing on an occupant before finally… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.

All 23 Known Issues

Other Kia Models

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Kia Carnival problems?

Is the Kia Carnival reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Kia Carnival problems?

What is the 2022-2024 Kia Carnival Power Sliding Door Auto-Reverse Failure Causing Injuries?

2022-2023 Kia Carnival: Second-Row Captain's Chair Detaches in IIHS Side Crash Test#

2022-2025 Kia Carnival: Phantom Braking / Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist False Activation#

2022-2026 Kia Carnival: Second- and Third-Row Seat Belt Buckle Anchor Bolts Non-Compliant (Recall SC372)#

2022-2024 Kia Carnival: Power Sliding Door Auto-Reverse Failure Causing Injuries#

2022-2025 Kia Carnival: Power Sliding Door Latch and Motor Failure#

2022-2025 Kia Carnival: Panoramic Sunroof Drain Clog Causing Wet Headliner / Interior Water Leak#

2022-2024 Kia Carnival: Spontaneous Windshield Cracking Without Impact#

2022-2024 Kia Carnival: Wind Noise / Air Leak from Front Door Window Seals Above ~45 MPH#

2022-2023 Kia Carnival: Tow Hitch Harness Water Intrusion Causing Fire Risk#

2022-2023 Kia Carnival: Idle Stop & Go (ISG) Phantom Activation / Engine Shuts Off (Service Action SA508)#

2022-2025 Kia Carnival: Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM) Camera Blank / Distorted Feed#

2022-2024 Kia Carnival: Infotainment System Freezing and Phone Projection Failures#

2022-2024 Kia Carnival: Wireless Qi Charging Pad Overheats Phones and Stops Charging#

2022-2025 Kia Carnival: Engine Stalling and Unexpected Loss of Motive Power While Driving#

2022-2025 Kia Carnival: Excessive Engine Oil Consumption on the 3.5L Lambda III GDI V6#

2022-2025 Kia Carnival: 3.5L V6 Cold-Start Ticking / Valve-Train Rattle#

2022-2024 Kia Carnival: Roof Molding Loosens and Detaches (Recall 24V025 / SC292)#

2022-2025 Kia Carnival: Clear-Coat Delamination and Paint Peeling / Chipping (Especially Snow White Pearl)#

2022-2025 Kia Carnival: A/C Compressor Premature Failure and Weak Cooling (Service Action SA632)#

2022-2025 Kia Carnival: Musty/Moldy Odor from A/C Vents (Evaporator Mold)#

2022-2025 Kia Carnival: High-Pressure Fuel Crossover Pipe / Fuel Rail Leak Fire Risk (Recall 26V232)#

2022-2025 Kia Carnival: 8-Speed Automatic Transmission Torque-Converter Shudder and Harsh/Delayed Shifts#

2022-2025 Kia Carnival: Premature Front Brake Rotor Warping and Pedal Pulsation#