2023 Kia CARNIVAL: complaints, problems and recalls

Daughter presses the button on the inside of the van. She didn't move her hand soon enough out of the way for the door to close. The door closed on her hand, she had to press the button open from the door closing on her thumb. She came balling her eyes out to me. Her thumb swelled 3 x's as big. The sensor should be way more sensitive like a garage door opener.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11471929 at NHTSA ↗

Sliding door shut on toddlers fingers, the safety mechanism for the door to open failed.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11477782 at NHTSA ↗

Very small rock hit windshield and cracked entire windshield; crack spread quickly and has continued to progress

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11489012 at NHTSA ↗

The door closing automation applies excessive force before the safety function engages to re-open. This poses a high risk to children and small adults with narrow limbs and/or the fingers of any aged person. On January 11, 2023, my 4 year old's hand was closed in the door without the door stopping or re-opening. This resulted in deep lacerations to his fingers and swelling necessitating emergency room medicine and imaging to eliminate potential of fracture. I tested this morning with the doors by opening and closing and inserting objects as…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11501451 at NHTSA ↗

Rear automatic door shut on adult even after bumping into the individual. The sensor did not stop the door from closing. This could have caused serious injury, especially if this were to happen to a kid.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11501879 at NHTSA ↗

Auto-stop/reverse on power side doors is not sensitive enough to prevent crushing hazard if someone gets caught in the dirt closing. I have to push with considerable force to get door to reverse and it still slams my arm or body hard against the frame before reversing. We are concerned or 6 small children will be seriously injured. There are a bunch of folks reporting broken/bruised hands on Carnival forums online and some reporting that the dealership service center has made an adjustment from the manufacturer that results in the door auto sto…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11508931 at NHTSA ↗

Rear sliding door safety sensors not working properly. Doors do not stop closing unless excessive force is applied by an adult before the sensors start working. Young children would not be able to stop the door from closing on them and likely would get hurt because of it.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11509010 at NHTSA ↗

We are concerned about the safety of the sliding doors on your 2023 Kia Carnival. The sensor does not detect objects in its path while closing, and we have already experienced two incidents and we noticed that require a great deal of effort and force to stop the door before someone gets hurt. The sensors are not working properly they need to be repair as soon as possible in order to ensure the safety of your kids.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11510709 at NHTSA ↗

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.

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.

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.

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.