IllustrationAround 17,000 -18,000 miles, the engine started to shutter like it wanted to die or wasn't getting enough fuel. While driving, it feels like it's trying to accelerate by itself even when cruise control is set. Even when it is just in nurtural it does it.. Still waiting to get the car into dealership to figure out the cause.
2022 Kia Carnival
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2022 Kia Carnival do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 73.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Carnival years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 16 of 134 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Structure. Review the 33 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
4 crash reports0 fire reports28 injury reports
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
14 reportsBeginning of January, when I went to drive home from work my check engine light was on and my Kia Carnival wouldn't accelerate over 10 mph. I let it run longer and tried to drive again and it wouldn't go over 20 mph. Let it sit a while longer and it finally drove normally but the check engine light stayed on. I called and made a…
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Beginning of January, when I went to drive home from work my check engine light was on and my Kia Carnival wouldn't accelerate over 10 mph. I let it run longer and tried to drive again and it wouldn't go over 20 mph. Let it sit a while longer and it finally drove normally but the check engine light stayed on. I called and made an appt with Kia in Fort Wayne immediately after it happened but they couldn't get me in for almost 2 weeks. The day I took it in (Jan. 22) the vehicle/engine shook anytime I accelerated. It did this the entire drive from my home to the Kia dealership. They ran diagnostics and found there was a sensor error with the injectors. They test drove it and said everything was fine. I got it back on Jan. 25 or 26th and it was fine. Then on the 29th I went to drive my vehicle and it had the acceleration problem again. I immediately called Kia and they couldn't get my vehicle in until Feb. 7th. I didn't drive it that day after the acceleration problem, but the check engine light was on again. I've driven it all last week because I need a vehicle. The check engine light will come on sometimes and sometimes be off. On Friday Feb. 4th the shaking happened again. It would shake when I accelerate. The check engine light was on all weekend. They looked at my car on Feb. 7th and the check engine light isn't on and it's driving fine for them at Kia. They ran the diagnostic and said it was the sensor error again. They said it was fine to drive because it wasn't happening right at that moment. I drove it home and it started to have the same issues again multiple times. I called the first time it happened again after service and they couldn't get it in until March 7th. It won't do it everyday, usually just cold mornings on the first start. It wasn't having the issue when I took it in for service. They looked at it and said it was fine. I get it back and it's doing it again. After 4 service visits I'm still having problems and Kia refuses to help or do a buyback.
On three separate occasions when the temperature was below -20C, this brand-new vehicle stopped working due to ice in the throttle body. Vehicle had to be towed each time. The dealer service manager informed me that the new design no longer heats the throttle body, and condensation jams the mechanism. In my mind this is a saf…
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On three separate occasions when the temperature was below -20C, this brand-new vehicle stopped working due to ice in the throttle body. Vehicle had to be towed each time. The dealer service manager informed me that the new design no longer heats the throttle body, and condensation jams the mechanism. In my mind this is a safety risk because (1) the car stops working while driving in traffic and (2) it's a family vehicle, putting up to 8 passengers at severe risk of cold-related injuries when stranded. The dealer has confirmed that this has occurred for at least three other customers at this one dealership. Each time they have inspected and disassembled the assembly, cleared the ice buildup, and applied a silicone lubricant. On the first and third occasion only, the "Check Engine" light came on. On the second occasion, the car simply died while driving, and I had to roll to the highway shoulder. Note: On the "address" page, your form does not take a Canadian address, however this vehicle is also sold in America. My Correct postal code is J7V 8P4 and Province is Quebec.
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. Deal…
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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.
Official recalls
626V232000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Apr 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 & remedy
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.
24V025000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars
Jan 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 & remedy
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.
23V236000 · Structure:body:door
Mar 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 & remedy
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.
23V179000 · Trailer Hitches
Mar 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 & remedy
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.
21V908000 · Latches/locks/linkages:electronic Lock/latch Actuator; Structure:body:door
Nov 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 & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Latches/locks/linkages:electronic Lock/latch Actuator
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.
Structure:body:door
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.
21V277000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail
Apr 21, 2021
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Carnival vehicles. The plastic fuel rail tube may have been damaged.
Consequence & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1PE22004 · Power Sliding Door Auto Reverse Failure
Opened Apr 10, 2022 · Closed Jun 13, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:door
On April 10, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) after receiving 5 consumer complaints alleging the Power Sliding Doors (PSD) auto-reverse function failed to work properly in the model year (MY) 2022 Kia Carnival minivan vehicles.At that time, ODI was aware of 3 complaints alleging injuries to consumer?s arm, hand or shoulder caused by the closing PSD.Additionally, consumers alleged being trapped against the closing door while it was traversing in the closing direction.The initial complaints also alleged excessive force is needed to reverse the direction of the closing door.At this time, ODI is aware of 26 complaints and 11 injuries on the MY 2022 Carnival vehicles.In its August 2022 responses to ODI's Information Request on the PE, Kia provided 36 customer complaints, 21 field reports, and 5 related warranty claims.Kia also provided ODI with 21 reports of alleged injuries, however, Kia stated that it was able to confirm only 9 injuries.Typically, these injuries are attributed to fingers and arms.The Kia Carnival automatic stop and reversal system is designed to automatically reverse the direction of the closing PSD if it meets resistance from an object or person.It relies on resistance sensing technology which requires a minimum input force or pressure to trigger activation.The primary sensing components used to regulate the auto-reverse system activation are the anti-pinch sensor and the PSD motor torque systems.Following several discussions with ODI during this investigation, on March 31, 2023, Kia filed a safety recall (NHTSA No. 23V-236) of 51,568 MY 2022 and 2023 Kia Carnival vehicles (produced through February 22, 2023) to reduce the risk of injury from the closing PSD.The remedy will be to reprogram the PSD control module with an updated software that provides two warning chimes when the door begins to close or open (to alert the vehicle users the door is about to move).Also, the updated software will change the door speed to move more slowly as the door approaches its latching point.In view of the recall action being taken by Kia, ODI is closing this PE.The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: 11423165, 11442133, 11447955, 11448290, 11450964, 11458125, 11461462, 11466619, 11466623, 11468938, 11469661, 11471224, 11471232, 11472272, 11487649, 11487671, 11489378, 11489577, 11491053, 11498214, 11501337, 11507176, 11507880, 11509037, 11512506, and 11516428.