2023 KIA Carnival other reported problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Vehicle air conditioning sends off a vinegar like aroma. Likely condensation on coils.

NHTSA complaint #11752598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I am filing a comprehensive complaint against Kia America and its authorized dealership for a prolonged failure to remedy a safety defect, ongoing consumer deception, and gross mismanagement of a federally mandated safety recall involving a severe fire hazard. Vehicle: 2022-2026 Kia Carnival NHTSA Recall Number: 26V232 (High-Pressure Fuel Pipe Leak) [Chronology of Complete Events] June 29, 2026 (First Attempt): I brought my vehicle to Kia dealer shop to have Safety Recall 26V232 performed. The service department informed me that they did not have the necessary parts and the repair would take over a week. June 30, 2026 (Deceptive Release): The dealer contacted me to pick up the vehicle, stating they could not proceed with the recall due to a complete lack of parts. They only performed a standard engine oil change (unrelated to the recall) and promised they would contact me to reschedule as soon as the recall parts arrived. July 19, 2026 (Manufacturer Negligence): Nearly three weeks passed with zero follow-up from the dealer. I contacted Kia America Customer Care to lodge a formal complaint. Shockingly, Kia America responded by stating they do not assist with scheduling or coordinating parts availability, irresponsibly shifting the manufacturer's statutory obligation onto me to independently find another dealer. July 21, 2026 (False Assurances): Due to my persistent follow-ups, Kia Dealer finally called me. The dealership explicitly assured me over the phone that ALL necessary recall parts had physically arrived and were strictly secured for my vehicle. July 23, 2026 (Today - Repeated Deception): I dropped off my vehicle at 10:00 AM. I explicitly asked the service advisor to confirm if all recall work would be finished today. He promised it would be completed by the end of the day. However, at 5:50 PM—just ten minutes before closing—Dealer called to inform me that they could not finish the vehicle because they are "still waiting for a specific part."

NHTSA complaint #11752515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Gas/pump door actuator failed. Unable to open and put gas in car. This car is only 1.5 years old.

NHTSA complaint #11693824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

On August 23, 2025, I purchased a certified pre-owned Kia Carnival. Within hours, the vehicle had a severe fuel leak that produced a strong gasoline odor. Driving it made me sick, and I feared for the safety of my three children in the vehicle. A Kia technician later confirmed a crossover fuel line leak so severe that he became ill while inspecting it and feared the vehicle could explode. Even after repair, the gas odor persisted. This vehicle was sold to me in unsafe condition, and I believe this may represent a larger safety issue that needs investigation.

NHTSA complaint #11685602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

My [XXX] son locked himself and his [XXX] brother in the car today. The scenario which is repeatable is if the cars start button is pushed to turn on accessory power the key fob will no longer unlock the doors. My father had the key fob outside of the car, while my son scrambled up front and pushed both the start button on the car and the door lock button. Again at this point the key fob is outside the car and will not unlock the doors. The daycare had to call 911 because two children were locked inside the car. This is an unacceptable situation for a minivan. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I have not yet brought the vehicle to a dealer, there are no warning lights on the vehicle and the key fob is working and has power. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11682287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Gas door outside cover would not open which makes it impossible to pump gas. Dealership removed door to enable the ability to pump gas. This then disables the safety feature that keeps the van door from sliding open which a rear passenger may mistakenly open the door and the gas pump hose would be knocked off. if Dealership opens the door to the gas area, and leaves the door to the gas cover ajar slightly to enable the ability to pump gas, this causes an issue if the door is mistakenly opened by a rear passenger, there is no clearance and the door to the gas area would be ripped off. One incident Dec 2023, another incident May 2025

NHTSA complaint #11663526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The windshield started cracking while the car was parked and continued cracking over the next week. The crack now runs from the center top, 3/4 of the way across the driver's side

NHTSA complaint #11622340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The rails in the middle row where the seats connect to, get extremely hot to the point where it is very hot to touch. This is a safety issue that could potentially cause a fire and/or burn my children’s’ feet. It doesn’t matter if the car has been driven for a short period of time or on a long trip, regardless the rails get very hot

NHTSA complaint #11605645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The metal rails on the floor where the seats slide are very hot and we are afraid it will run our children. It is more in the center near the second row.

NHTSA complaint #11592689 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have an issue that involves the metal railings in the center of the vehicle (on the floor) to get hot enough to burn and blister you. I filed a complaint with Kia which opened a case. I also took my vehicle in and this issue was verified by their mechanic. I was assigned a case number and after the employee on my case spoke with the enginer team it was determined that the only option for me was to purchase mats to cover the metal railings. I purchased both all weather and fabric mats when i purchased the vehicle. these mats do not cover the railing nor would you want them to. it would prevent the seats from moving forward and back and it would also be a fire risk. I have tried to find a solution with kia with no success. There are other forums of people complaining of the same issue such as this one https:// [XXX] I just purchased my car brand new and Kia has put me in a position to just deal with these safety issues. Besides mats that i already have the suggestion was to just not touch the rails that are on the floor where you put your feet. I put 10,000 down on a brand-new vehicle because i had the intentions of keeping it long term. now im in a position where I have to look for a safer vehicle with no help from KIA. This complaint may not help me but maybe it can help someone else. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11538635 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Purchased in Aug 2022 brand new I express concern very early on that the back door would reopen after starting the car I express concern about shifting/breaking being automatic/ice light coming on when you hit bumps coming in parking lots and the doors not unlocking. All were evaluated and basically all for nothing “ could not be duplicated” I called, left voicemails, emailed the dealership with concerns Advised there was a recall on Back door which was one of my complaints did recall update still and issue The back door should not re open and stay open that is not a safety feature this day and age it’s asking to be mug, robbed ect. After the 3rd time in a week happening I called the dealership spoke to the president and advised I no longer felt safe I just want to turn in the lease have it bought back and my down payment returned. I have 3 children safety features they claim are not safe in my eyes. One example driving by myself out of a parking lot the back door reopened as I was backing out and I assumed it would just reshut - no it stayed wide open. No movement. No unlocking, turning off after auto start under a few mins. I called Kia and have yet to speak to the agent, phone tag, no emails back. Reviews online show multiple people have these issues.

NHTSA complaint #11535166 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Unknown. My vehicle has cut off in the middle of traffic several times. Another incident was when my vehicle was shaking uncontrollably and couldn't go over 40. The check engine light never comes on. One dealership looked at it and said nothing was wrong even though one of the techs heard the vehicle. They said because the check engine light wasn't on that there was nothing that they could do. Took it to the kia dealership in Huntsville. They know something is wrong but because no check engine light or codes. They don't know where the problem is . My main issue is when something is wrong. No lights or codes show up. I haven't had it a year yet. Safety concerns with it cutting off in the middle of traffic .

NHTSA complaint #11526804 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN 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 complaint #11520607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

today while I was driving my sunroof shattered, big explosion, luckily my sunshade was close and not to many vehicles were around me. I call dealer, they didn't want to hear it and told me to call my insurance !!??? My car is barely 2 month old???

NHTSA complaint #11519833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The sliding power doors do not reverse when hitting a person or object. You have to use excessive force to get them to reverse and only some of the time do they even reverse. I have taken this to the dealership and they said they would contact me within 48 hours with an update but it's been a month and in spite of me attempting to contact them for a follow up they have not returned calls or emails. Safety of myself and others have been put at risk when the door is closed it does not stop and will crush whatever is in the door. Dealer was able to reproduce the problem about half of the time. Occasionally, if you hit the door in a specific spot, it might reverse but when an actual person stands in the door it does not reverse. No warning lights or messages occur I purchased the Carnival July 1 of 2022 and was not aware at the time of the sliding door problem. It wasn't until I read of others having the issue that I tested mine. I was honestly shocked that the doors in most cases did not reverse. I've tested it multiple times and I've had to get out of the way when in spite of using a lot of force it didn't reverse. I also have a 2004 Honda Odyssey that I've had for almost 20 years and this door works perfectly. Reverses with even a minor resistance. I expected all minivans to perform the same way. There are multiple incidents found online where these doors have crushed people. I'm aware of a recall just released but this does NOT fix the issue! It only adds 2 beeps and slows down the door. This is unacceptable in a real life situation so this "recall" is not acceptable. I realize KIA does not want to pay to have these doors fixed but when a child dies or suffers a severe injury they will be forced to.

NHTSA complaint #11516486 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The car keeps shutting of while driving ,the car jerks when accelerating, I press on the gas and sometimes it doesn't accelerate at all .the car windshield cracked, the doors closed on my hands when I was retrieving my coat the doors didn't open back up i had to snatch my hands and arms back. I have a video of car shutting off if you need it

NHTSA complaint #11513801 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Rear sliding door safety sensors not working properly. Doors do not stop closing unless excessive force is applied by an adult before the sensors start working. Young children would not be able to stop the door from closing on them and likely would get hurt because of it.

NHTSA complaint #11509010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Very small rock hit windshield and cracked entire windshield; crack spread quickly and has continued to progress

NHTSA complaint #11489012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Sliding door shut on toddlers fingers, the safety mechanism for the door to open failed.

NHTSA complaint #11477782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.