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2023 Kia Carnival

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2023 Kia Carnival do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 73.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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: 8 of 50 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 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports7 injury reports

Structure complaints

12 reports
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77,000 miles · Jun 5, 2026
Structure

The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the driver’s side roof molding ejected from the vehicle. The contact immediately stopped the vehicle but was unable to locate the molding. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notif…

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The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the driver’s side roof molding ejected from the vehicle. The contact immediately stopped the vehicle but was unable to locate the molding. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V025000 (STRUCTURE). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 77,000.

NHTSA ODI #11742271

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2025
StructureInjury

Passenger side sliding door periodically gets stuck trying to open or close. My 3 year olds finger got stuck in the closed position of the sliding door and we could not get the door open immediately because of the faulty door periodically getting stuck.

NHTSA ODI #11695330

Mileage unknown · Aug 28, 2025
Structure

The power sliding door does not reverse when an object is in its path. The door closed on my sons body. He was okay we were able to pull the handle to make it open again but it did not stop on its own. Another instance the door did not stop closing when a toy went into the door. The door just crunched the toy and shut while bee…

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The power sliding door does not reverse when an object is in its path. The door closed on my sons body. He was okay we were able to pull the handle to make it open again but it did not stop on its own. Another instance the door did not stop closing when a toy went into the door. The door just crunched the toy and shut while beeping.

NHTSA ODI #11683764

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2025
Structure

After working out at my gym, my daughters and I were driving on a side street near at around 35MPH. With no warning, a large POP happened and our passenger sliding door window shattered. Thankfully, nothing but a scratch happened to my [XXX] that was in her car seat closest to the window that shattered. I called our local KIA de…

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After working out at my gym, my daughters and I were driving on a side street near at around 35MPH. With no warning, a large POP happened and our passenger sliding door window shattered. Thankfully, nothing but a scratch happened to my [XXX] that was in her car seat closest to the window that shattered. I called our local KIA dealership and my insurance agent and both mentioned that it could be because of the heat we are having in our area. This concerns me because the Carnival is a “MPV” aka family car and this happened without a chip or anything in the glass and terrified both of my girls. I have never heard of a window solely shattering bc of heat. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11676838

Mileage unknown · Jun 19, 2024
Structure

Gas door does not open. It is faulty and won’t open when car is locked or unlocked. Unable to open to add fuel to vehicle. It has been giving issues for 3 months. This seems to be a VERY common problem with all KIA Carnivals.

NHTSA ODI #11595394

Mileage unknown · May 27, 2024
Electrical SystemStructureUnknown Or OtherInjury

The driver’s side sliding door was closing and crushed my wife between the door and B pillar. It did not retract upon encountering the resistance of my wife’s body, and continued to close. She has bruising on her arm, and shoulder pain. When submitting this report on the NHTSA website, there is a recall for this exact issue. We …

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The driver’s side sliding door was closing and crushed my wife between the door and B pillar. It did not retract upon encountering the resistance of my wife’s body, and continued to close. She has bruising on her arm, and shoulder pain. When submitting this report on the NHTSA website, there is a recall for this exact issue. We have not had the vehicle examined as it is a holiday weekend, and the dealer is closed. Medical attention will be pursued if the pain and bruising does not subside.

NHTSA ODI #11590913

Mileage unknown · May 5, 2023
StructureUnknown Or Other

The tailgate door attempted to close on my head when I was putting something in the trunk when my husband walked away with the key. I had a key with me too.

NHTSA ODI #11520607

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2023
StructureInjury

The side sliding (rear) doors do not stop when there is an object in between. Even when you put heavy force (this is in some angles), the door continues to close. With mild force, the door just refuses to recognize and closes out. It is a big safety concern with small children, since if the force applied by adults is not enough,…

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The side sliding (rear) doors do not stop when there is an object in between. Even when you put heavy force (this is in some angles), the door continues to close. With mild force, the door just refuses to recognize and closes out. It is a big safety concern with small children, since if the force applied by adults is not enough, then any force the child would apply is definitely not going to stop the door from closing.

NHTSA ODI #11517982

Mileage unknown · Mar 7, 2023
Structure

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…

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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.

NHTSA ODI #11510709

Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2023
Structure

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 injur…

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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 stop/ reverse being much more sensitive, after checking NHTSA and making a report. I'd like to know if this is an option?

NHTSA ODI #11508931

Official recalls

4

26V232000 · 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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.