2023 Kia Carnival recalls and problems

The 2023 Kia Carnival has 4 safety recalls and 54 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.

Urgent: recall 23V-179 carries a "park outside" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
4
Complaints
54
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2023 Kia Carnival vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2023 Kia Carnival recalls

Recall 26V-232: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Apr 10, 2026 · 141,032 vehicles affected · Kia America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Recall 24V-025: Structure

Reported Jan 18, 2024 · 101,049 vehicles affected · Kia America, Inc.

Problem: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.

Risk: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 23V-236: Structure

Reported Mar 31, 2023 · 51,568 vehicles affected · Kia America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: A power sliding door that does not auto-reverse can close on an occupant, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Recall 23V-179: Trailer Hitches

Park outsideReported Mar 17, 2023 · 3,555 vehicles affected · Kia America, Inc.

Problem: 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.

Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

2023 Kia Carnival problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Unknown or Other23
Structure12
Electrical System6
Engine5
Seat Belts3
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Latches/Locks/Linkages2
Lane Departure2
Vehicle Speed Control2
Forward Collision Avoidance2
Steering2
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness2

Most reported parts

  • Structure › Body — 10
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch › Emergency Mechanical Release — 1
  • Structure › Body › Door — 1
  • Lane Departure › Blind Spot Detection — 1
  • Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 1
  • Lane Departure › Lane Keep › Steering Assist — 1
  • Steering › Column — 1
  • Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Retractor — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 35,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2023 Kia Carnival complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Unknown or Other · reported Nov 11, 2026
Bought for it to be a family car only to find out the defect of the sliding doors. Even after the recall “fixed” it my niece was crushed this morning by the door that obviously doesn’t sense resistance fast enough. Since then I’ve tested it and it is dangerous enough that we have disabled the doors. The automatic doors are not safe for children.
Service Brakes · reported Nov 3, 2026
On August 4, 2026, I was involved in an accident while driving my 2023 Kia Carnival SX Prestige. During the incident, the brakes felt as though they had locked or frozen. When I attempted to slow down, the vehicle unexpectedly accelerated instead of stopping, resulting in a collision. 1. Component Failure: UNKNOWN. I suspect a malfunction involving the braking system, electronic braking controls, accelerator system, or vehicle control module. The exact cause has not been established. The vehicle should be available for inspection upon request. 2. Safety Risk: The vehicle did not respond to my…
Seat Belts · reported Oct 18, 2026
The seatbelt anchor for the second row seat immediately behind the driver's seat failed to latch properly sometimes and it would take several attempts to get it latched properly. The safety of me and others was put at risk because I could have been ejected in a crash or moved forward into the drivers seat, causing serious or fatal injury to me and/or the driver. The problem has not been reproduced, and the components have not been inspected, and there were no warnings issued by the vehicle.
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Sep 23, 2026
Fuel door actuator is electrically tied to cabin door locks with no manual release and frequently fails to open after repeatedly cycling cabin door locks. Issue is not due to bad batteries or other vehicle related electrical faults. Manufacturer has confirmed defect is present in all Kia models from 2020 until now with no after warranty support.
Fuel System, Gasoline · at 58,425 miles · reported Aug 4, 2026
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle, causing the contact’s six children to become dizzy from the odor. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V232000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the remedy failed to fix the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure occurred after the recall repair was performed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the dealer might offer a buyback of the vehicle. The manufacturer…

Other Kia Carnival years

Compare all Kia Carnival years · All Kia models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2023 Kia Carnival have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2023 Kia Carnival: 26V-232 (fuel system, gasoline), 24V-025 (structure), 23V-236 (structure), 23V-179 (trailer hitches). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2023 Kia Carnival?

Owners report unknown or other problems most often (23 reports), followed by structure (12). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 35,000 miles.

Are Kia recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.