2026 Kia Carnival
Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 30
- Recalls
- 2
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Electrical system
Campaigns on file for 2026
None on file
27% of complaints
Complaints per year
2026: 30 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 136 |
| 2023 | 51 |
| 2024 | 74 |
| 2025 | 125 |
| 2026 | 30 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Electrical system
27% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing body control module/bcm.
Show complaint excerpts
Child's arm was crushed in the sliding door when it failed to properly stop due to the sensor failing.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-13
Power train
17% · 5 reportsVehicle speed control
10% · 3 reportsStructure
10% · 3 reportsMost commonly citing body.
Show complaint excerpts
Subject: Safety Complaint â Power Sliding Door Failure Injuring Child (2026 Kia Carnival) I am submitting a safety complaint regarding a 2026 Kia Carnival.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-06-11
I purchased a new 2026 Kia Carnival EX and noticed an unusually intense amount of heat coming from underneath the vehicle on the passenger side, particularly around the rear passenger door/second-row seating area.
NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-01
Back over prevention
10% · 3 reportsMost commonly citing warnings and rearview system braking.
Safety timeline
2 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2026-03-13Electrical system26V046000 Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles.
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542.
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2026-06-02Fuel system, gasoline26V232000 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.
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.
Buy-smart checklist
2026 Kia Carnival — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Electrical system: 8 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 5 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 3 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 26V046000 · Electrical system
- Recall 26V232000 · Fuel system, gasoline
FAQ
- Is the 2026 Kia Carnival reliable?
- There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
- What are the most common problems with the 2026 Kia Carnival?
- The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2026 Kia Carnival have?
- 2 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.