2024 Kia Carnival

Incident description: While driving, the vehicle’s dashboard illuminated all warning lights (ABS, traction control, battery, check engine, forward safety system) and the engine revved to approximately 8,000 RPM with unintended rapid acceleration. Driver had to apply hard braking to maintain control and avoid a collision. A nearly identical event occurred approximately one month earlier while driving on the highway, at which point the vehicle suddenly braked hard on its own. The vehicle has been at the dealership for repair a combined 38 days across two visits. The dealer initially attributed the first event to a failed alternator voltage regulator, replaced it, but the same warning codes and behavior returned on the second occasion. Crash/injury: No collision occurred; avoided through evasive braking. Speed: Highway speed (both instances). Incident description: While driving, the vehicle’s dashboard illuminated all warning lights (ABS, traction control, battery, check engine, forward safety system) and the engine revved to approximately 8,000 RPM with unintended rapid acceleration. Driver had to apply hard braking to maintain control and avoid a collision. A nearly identical event occurred approximately one month earlier while driving on the highway, at which point the vehicle suddenly braked hard on its own. The vehicle has been at the dealership for repair a combined 38 days across two visits. The dealer initially attributed the first event to a failed alternator voltage regulator, replaced it, but the same warning codes and behavior returned on the second occasion. Crash/injury: No collision occurred; avoided through evasive braking. Speed: Highway speed (both instances).

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle failed to properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was shuddering and vibrating while attempting to accelerate with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer on several occasions, but the cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 3,500.