The Verdict
Worst problem area
Body, Seats & Latches
Body, Seats & Latches is the largest identified problem area: 14 of 53 complaints (26%) mention it. 22 complaints mention a component NHTSA leaves uncategorised.
Complaints filed fell from 138 in 2022 to 53 in 2023.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 53
- Recall campaigns
- 4
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,850
- Combined MPG
- 22
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | vs. 2023 Minivan - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850 | 2,850 | 2,850 | 1,900–2,950 | |
| Combined MPG | 22 | 22 | 22 | 21–33 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19 / 26 | 19 / 26 | 19 / 26 | 18–34 / 26–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 407 | 408 | 408 | 274–426 | |
| Complaints filed | 138 | 53 | 75 | 197 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 34 | 7 | 12 | 15 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Carnival have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Kia Carnival get?
EPA rates it 22 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2023 Kia Carnival?
EPA estimates $2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minivan - 2WD | 19 mpg | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 408 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 14 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 22 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
- Defect
- 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
- Defect
- 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
- Defect
- 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.
TRAILER HITCHES
- Defect
- 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.