2024 Kia CARNIVAL problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
71 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
5,250 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2024 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 24 of 71 complaints (33.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 11.3% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 9.9% |
| Braking behavior | 6 | 8.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 4 | 5.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 2.8% |
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 | 24 |
| Electrical System | 16 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Steering | 7 |
| Seats | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
Unknown Or Other: 24; Electrical System: 16; Engine: 7; Steering: 7; Seats: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Structure:Body: 4; Service Brakes: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 65 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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 24 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 21 |
2023: 10; 2024: 24; 2025: 16; 2026: 21
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 6 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 11543884 · 2023-09-11 (September 11, 2023)
Leakage on power steering column, steering little bit hard to handle and some issues while driving at straight line highway,. Heated area, second row seat underneath flooring, electrical issue about seat concerned!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11543884 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11590755 · 2024-05-25 (May 25, 2024)
1 - Electrical systems, All Advanced Driver Assistance Systems, Blinker, Analog Speedometer, Digital Speedometer, RPM gauge, Climate Control Systems, were all showing as failed or malfunctioning while driving. Driver's unsure if other systems were affected. Driver distractibility was drastically increased and driver and passenger safety was at risk. Unknown component at fault, still in service at dealership. 2 - Very distracted driving, all dashboard lights blinking erratically and beeping noises constantly filling the cabin. Blinker would not…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11590755 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11544503 · 2023-09-14 (September 14, 2023)
Hello, this is my second report file on your team. The first filed is sept 8 2023, its all about my steering column issues, ill already talk with kia customer care unit, they said its still working on, i talk also with my dealership service center, they said its still waiting for the back orders, its almost a month this vehicles is still have leakage, its unsafe because this is a part of steering wheel, if the seal are stock inside, then when i running my vehicles around 65mph in a highway then ill have my 2 kids at the back then accident may …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11544503 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11588543 · 2024-05-13 (May 13, 2024)
Driver was approaching the end of [XXX] and attempted to turn left onto the ramp to [XXX] but without prior warning the brakes and the steering wheel failed and he couldn’t turn or stop the car which resulted in the vehicle hitting the guardrail. The driver endured injuries on his hand, and overall emotional trauma. My insurance company refused to check the cars computer to prove that the car indeed failed. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11588543 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11671372 · 2025-07-05 (July 5, 2025)
Vehicle vents gasoline fumes into the passenger cabin causing drowsiness, headaches, and impaired cognitive function as well as exposure to a carcinogen. Vehicle has significantly high levels of CO2 inside the cabin at all times (2000-4000ppm) as well as TVOC and HCHO being higher than OSHA allows. Engine temperature gauge does not function properly and sliding doors have closed on myself and my children leaving bruises. If car were to be in an accident it would likely explode. Critical levels of CO2 have caused me to fall asleep while driving …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11671372 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11700277 · 2025-11-19 (November 19, 2025)
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal gas odor would emit through the vehicle's ventilation system. The contact notified a local dealer, and an appointment was made to have the vehicle serviced. The vehicle was inspected, and the contact was informed that there was likely bacteria growing inside the vehicle, which caused the odor. The contact disputed this claim and recommended that the air filters be replaced; the contact paid for the repair. Despite the repair, the contact s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11700277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11728723 · 2026-04-02 (April 2, 2026)
My Kia vehicle has an ongoing engine oil leak that has not been properly repaired under warranty. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Kia dealership for diagnosis and repair of the oil leak. I was informed by the dealership that Kia engineers indicated that in similar situations the typical resolution is engine replacement. However, in my case, the dealership was instructed to attempt sealing the oil pan instead of replacing the engine. I was advised that if this repair did not resolve the issue, I could bring the vehicle back for further se…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11728723 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11761672 · 2026-09-02 (September 2, 2026)
On 8/25/2026 I dropped the vehicle at Plaza Kia, 2699 Nostrand Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11210 (Kia Repair Facility #7119189) for four open recalls: PI2501, PI2602, SC320, and SC368. Brakes were functioning normally at drop-off. Per repair order [XXX] dated 8/26/2026, only PI2501 and PI2602 (second-row seat recalls) were performed; SC320 (EGR valve) and SC368 (high-pressure crossover fuel pipe) were not completed , parts on special order. The dealer's multi-point inspection sheet, printed 8/26/2026 12:36 PM, marked brake fluid level/condition and brake…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11761672 at NHTSA ↗