2024 Kia CARNIVAL: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11527277 · 2023-06-15 (June 15, 2023)
Seat belt is torn
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11528624 · 2023-06-24 (June 24, 2023)
While driving at low speed (35mph or less), we heard a dull “pop”. We then noticed a large crack on the passenger side of the windshield beginning at the edge of the glass. After parking in our garage, I inspected the crack, which was at least 8 inches in length. As suspected, there was no sign of any sort of impact. The windshield spontaneously cracked. After approximately 2 hours of the car parked and off in the garage, I checked the windshield again. The crack had grown by another 3 inches in that short amount of time. It is important to …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11528624 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11534568 · 2023-07-26 (July 26, 2023)
On Monday 07/24/2023 (a clear sunny day) our less than 1 month old Kia Carnival spontaneously developed a crack in the middle of the drivers side of the windshield and over the course of a few hours this crack grew to over half the windshield. outdoor temperature was around 82 degrees. There was no impact that I know of and when you look at the windshield there is no evidence of an impact. No chip, no star, nothing. It looks like the crack started from the literal edge and spread to the middle. Having a brand new vehicle PLUS having bought all …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11534568 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11538113 · 2023-08-12 (August 12, 2023)
Hi I just purchased this Veichle yesterday from the KIA dealer “ https://www.almkiasouth.com/?utm_source=organic&utm_medium=gmb&utm_campaign=local“ This morning I was just looking at the setup and the car was in idle. My little son who was in barefoot screamed when the accidentally touch the under the seat me tail rails. I’ve informed the dealership about this today 8/12/2023. When I searched in Internet I found the below blog. This is strange how Kia has still not fixed this danger safety issue? I’m sure this is not easy to notice unless s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11538113 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11540632 · 2023-08-24 (August 24, 2023)
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that upon inspection, he became aware that the mechanism for the slide-flex seats became extremely hot to the touch, with occupants unable to touch the surface without shoes. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 4,969.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11540632 at NHTSA ↗
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 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 11549082 · 2023-10-09 (October 9, 2023)
The steering wheel was clicking at low speeds (turns after stops, turns in reverse and while parking). The Kia dealer initially said it was an improperly routed air bag harness and said they fixed it. The noise returned within a day. When I brought it back, they identified cables from the air bag were slipping from the hold down clip causing the air bag wires to rub on the steering wheel. Service advisor noted the airbag and clock spring harness were not being held down by the wire hold clip. The technician put two zip ties to attach the wire h…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11549082 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗