2022 Kia CARNIVAL: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11416351 · 2021-05-12 (May 12, 2021)
2022 KIA CARNIVAL. THE OUTER MIDDLE SEATS IN THE 8 PASSENGER MODEL. I HAVE ACCIDENTALLY USED THE LEVER TO FOLD THE SEAT FOWARD WHEN I MEANT TO USE THE ONE THAT PULLS IT FOWARD ON THE TRACK. WHEN THE SEAT CAME FOWARD IT HIT ME IN THE HEAD SUCH FORCE I THOUGH I WAS GOING HAVE A CONCUSSION. I WAS LEFT WITH A MINOR HEADACHE AFTERWARD.THE SECOND TIME I THOUGHT IT BROKE MY NOSE. I CAN STILL FEEL IT AS I TYPE THIS. THIS IN MY OPINION WOULD CAUSE SEVER INJURY TO A SMALL CHILD OR ELDERLY PERSON IF THEY WERE TO DO THE SAME. TO ME THOSE SEATS…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11416351 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11423165 · 2021-07-01 (July 1, 2021)
Sliding doors seem unsafe. They take a tremendous amount of force to stop the automatic door from closing. There is no safety mechanism to prevent a child from getting stuck and/or extremely hurt due if caught in sliding doors while closing. Seems like there should be a lesser resistance necessary to cause doors to open back up if encountering an object to prevent injury.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423165 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11426021 · 2021-07-22 (July 22, 2021)
We have had 3 instances where the forward collision warning system kicked in without another car in front of our van causing the breaks to engage, then disengage within a second or two. We have noticed that if stopped at a red light with another car in front of us, if the other car has rear sensors in their bumper, it will set off our system as well and it will make the warning sounds. More recently, our cluster warning light has come on and the message "Check Rear Cross Traffic Safety System" has appeared. After shutting the car off and on m…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11426021 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433640 · 2021-09-20 (September 20, 2021)
Driving down the road, nothing flew at the windshield, it just cracked. Currently can’t replace it either as there is no stock.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433640 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433674 · 2021-09-20 (September 20, 2021)
The contact owned a 2022 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 15 MPH, the passenger’s side rear window shattered. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they informed the contact that an object had struck the window. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11433674 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11433813 · 2021-09-21 (September 21, 2021)
Windshield cracked while driving with nothing even hitting it .
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433813 at NHTSA ↗
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 11434927 · 2021-09-29 (September 29, 2021)
A small rock barely hit my windshield and cracked it completely across. It started as a small crack from a small pebble that progressed significantly overnight. What’s worse is that the windshield is on back order so I been waiting over a month for it to get fixed. This seems like a common occurrence as multiple Kia carnival owners had the same thing occurred. Kia needs to acknowledge the windshield is defective and cover it I should not have to go through my insurance for a defective windshield.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11434927 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
21V277000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
Reported: 2021-04-21 (April 21, 2021)
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Carnival vehicles. The plastic fuel rail tube may have been damaged.
Consequence: A damaged fuel rail tube may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the multi-port injection fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC211.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V908000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Electronic Lock/Latch Actuator | Structure:Body:Door
Reported: 2021-11-19 (November 19, 2021)
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Carnival vehicles. The remote controller assembly for the passenger-side power sliding door may malfunction, preventing the passenger-side sliding door from securely latching.
Consequence: A power sliding door that fails to latch may open while moving, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger-side power sliding door release actuator's drum and holder inside the remote controller assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC221.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V179000 · Trailer Hitches
Reported: 2023-03-17 (March 17, 2023)
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.
Consequence: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V236000 · Structure:Body:Door
Reported: 2023-03-31 (March 31, 2023)
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.
Consequence: A power sliding door that does not auto-reverse can close on an occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V025000 · Structure:Body:Roof And Pillars
Reported: 2024-01-18 (January 18, 2024)
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
Consequence: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗26V232000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 2026-04-10 (April 10, 2026)
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.
Consequence: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗