2022 Kia CARNIVAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
133 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
2,438 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2022 model year. Data snapshot: . 16 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 34 of 133 complaints (25.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 4.5% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 3.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 2.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.3% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 2.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 1.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 34 |
| Electrical System | 19 |
| Structure:Body | 19 |
| Engine | 16 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 14 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 11 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 11 |
| Power Train | 7 |
Unknown Or Other: 34; Electrical System: 19; Structure:Body: 19; Engine: 16; Fuel/Propulsion System: 14; Structure:Body:Door: 11; Visibility/Wiper: 11; Power Train: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 117 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 16 |
| 2022 | 43 |
| 2023 | 27 |
| 2024 | 12 |
| 2025 | 23 |
| 2026 | 12 |
2021: 16; 2022: 43; 2023: 27; 2024: 12; 2025: 23; 2026: 12
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11434016 · 2021-09-23 (September 23, 2021)
Vehicle mileage was about 1,750. Check engine light came on immediately after starting the engine and vehicle had a slight vibration. Drove to dealer and vehicle started shaking badly while accelerating and had slight burning smell inside the cab. Was told #6 cylinder was miss firing and fuel injector needed to be replaced. Dealer has fixed the issue and seems to be ok as of now.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11434016 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11674792 · 2025-07-19 (July 19, 2025)
While driving my 2022 Kia Carnival Prestige, the engine started knocking and the vehicle started sounding like it was going to turn off. There was no alert or light on until we got to the service center where the check engine light came on. I took to the nearest dealer with service center for Kia for inspection and repair which the dealer's service center indicated it was an engine failure at 62,203 miles. This failure was hundreds of miles away from my home. I had to return to my state on a rental vehicle. The vehicle remained at the service c…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11674792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11439291 · 2021-11-04 (November 4, 2021)
Auto hold engaged on car and failed to hold car. Resulted in a crash to my front gate and damage to the car as well as gate. Would not brake when pumping on brake upon collision to front gate. Sensor is now malfunctioning and Kia is not taking responsibility. Most recently the front windshield has a crack that was not caused by anything. Car is parked and covered in my driveway.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11439291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11498214 · 2022-12-20 (December 20, 2022)
1. When accelerating (while driving on ECO Mode) the vehicle starts to shudder at times. When using Normal Mode, the vehicle will shudder while the brake pedal is being used at a red light. Front windshield cracks easily and paint easily chips with no sign of rocks hitting the vehicle. Called Kia Service to get the car looked at and they said they haven’t heard of such issues. 2. Doors are supposed to retract when closing if motion is occurring. A family member almost got her leg pinned by the door and our child almost got hurt on the shoulder…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11498214 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11537506 · 2023-08-09 (August 9, 2023)
I bought this car June of 2022. The car was days old and the front end started making a popping sound when you turn the wheels. The dealership changed front right axle. There is still a popping noise but now it’s from the front and the back. The transmission went out in February of 2023. They replaced the transmission. Since then the car shakes violently when accelerating, loses power when accelerating, the self drive mode turns on by itself. I have contacted 2 different dealerships about these issues. They say “ they cannot duplicate the prob…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11537506 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11664108 · 2025-05-31 (May 31, 2025)
My car was jerking between 1-2 rpm while driving on the highway, on other roads as well. It was very hard to accelerate and merge with traffic with this issue. Check engine light came on two days later and it’s says it’s the torque converter.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11664108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11535422 · 2023-07-31 (July 31, 2023)
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while her daughter was inside the vehicle, the door closed on her rib cage and arm, but medical attention was not provided. Additionally, the taillights were inoperable. While driving, the vehicle stalled. While accelerating and making a turn, the vehicle hesitated and stalled. The engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the weather stripping sensor needed to be replaced. The bulb was broken, and a wiring harness re…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,875 miles reported. Look up ODI 11535422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11704051 · 2025-12-09 (December 9, 2025)
The dealer is attempting to classify the torn rubber and pulled-out wiring as “non-recall wear and tear,” but the damage is a direct result of: a latch that sticks, a door that does not close smoothly, a malfunctioning power sliding mechanism, and the repeated force required to compensate for the defect. Under recall law, when an unresolved defect causes additional damage, the owner cannot be held financially responsible for the resulting deterioration. This is a mechanical consequence of a defect, not a cosmetic issue.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11704051 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11558610 · 2023-12-05 (December 5, 2023)
Steering column leaking oil.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11558610 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11590758 · 2024-05-25 (May 25, 2024)
When trying to alert a vehicle that was merging into my lane but did not see me, my horn did not work. It randomly does not work at times. Every once in a while it will. This poses as a danger and safety risk to drivers and passengers of my 2022 Kia Carnival for instances as such where another driver may need to be alerted if they don’t have safety features for blind spots, backing up, etc. I would have gotten struck by the other vehicle if I hadn’t slammed on my brakes and swerve towards the side of the road. I was lucky there was room on the …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11590758 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11458125 · 2022-03-24 (March 24, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light was illuminated. Additionally, the rear driver's side automatic sliding door sensor malfunctioned, causing injury to the contact's daughter's shoulder when it closed while she was exiting the vehicle. No medical attention was received. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with an unknown failure. The dealer informed the contact that an unknown part needed to be replaced an…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,020 miles reported. Look up ODI 11458125 at NHTSA ↗