The Kia Carnival spans 2022–2026 with 16 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 4.0/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2022, 2025, 2024 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2026, 2023, 2024. It delivers up to 33 mpg combined and 5-star NHTSA safety.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Kia Carnival is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2022 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Kia Carnival VIN — every digit explained
Every Kia Carnival carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Kia and the country it was built in (real Kia codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this Carnival.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- USA5NP · 5XX · 5XY · U5Y
- South KoreaKNA · KND · KNJ
- Mexico3KM · 3KP
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your Carnival, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the Kia Carnival have?
The Kia Carnival has 16 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2022–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
2026 Kia Carnival recalls 2
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. 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.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
What's wrong. 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. Due to a software error, the instrument panel display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
Risk. An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as the speedometer, tire pressure, or warning lights, increases the risk of a crash.
Fix. 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. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.
2025 Kia Carnival recalls 1
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. 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.
2024 Kia Carnival recalls 2
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. 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.
Structure:body:roof And Pillars
What's wrong. 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.
2023 Kia Carnival recalls 4
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. 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.
Structure:body:roof And Pillars
What's wrong. 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.
Structure:body:door
What's wrong. 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.
Trailer Hitches
What's wrong. 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.
2022 Kia Carnival recalls 6
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
What's wrong. 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.
Structure:body:roof And Pillars
What's wrong. 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.
Structure:body:door
What's wrong. 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.
Trailer Hitches
What's wrong. 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:fuel Injection System:fuel Rail
What's wrong. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Carnival vehicles. The plastic fuel rail tube may have been damaged.
Risk. A damaged fuel rail tube may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the multi-port injection fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC211.
Latches/locks/linkages:electronic Lock/latch Actuator
What's wrong. Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Carnival vehicles. The remote controller assembly for the passenger-side power sliding door may malfunction, preventing the passenger-side sliding door from securely latching.
Risk. A power sliding door that fails to latch may open while moving, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix. Dealers will replace the passenger-side power sliding door release actuator's drum and holder inside the remote controller assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC221.
Best and worst years for the Kia Carnival
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 5 tracked years, the worst years are 2022, 2025, 2024 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2026, 2023, 2024.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 Carnival | Structure | Avoid | |
| 2023 Carnival | Structure | Best | |
| 2024 Carnival | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2025 Carnival | Electrical System | Avoid | |
| 2026 Carnival | Electrical System | Best |
What are the most common Kia Carnival problems?
The most-reported Kia Carnival problems are Seats (15 reports), Buckle (4 reports) and Engine (43 reports) — out of 379 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Kia Carnival specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Kia Carnival. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Kia Carnival window sticker.
| Specs cache warming… |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Kia Carnival cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the Carnival holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Kia Carnival tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Kia Carnival get?
The Kia Carnival returns up to 33 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $1,900/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2027 Kia Carnival (3.5L 6-cyl) gets 21 mpg combined and costs about $2,950/yr to fuel, emitting 428 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 4/10) — about $3,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Carnival | 18 | 26 | $2,950 | 428 | — | 3.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2026 Carnival | 18 | 25 | $2,950 | 428 | — | 3.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2025 Carnival | 18 | 26 | $2,950 | 426 | 5/10 | 3.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2024 Carnival | 19 | 26 | $2,850 | 408 | 5/10 | 3.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2023 Carnival | 19 | 26 | $2,850 | 408 | 5/10 | 3.5L 6-cyl | |
| 2022 Carnival | 19 | 26 | $2,850 | 407 | 5/10 | 3.5L 6-cyl |
The 2027 Kia Carnival (1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid) gets 33 mpg combined and costs about $1,900/yr to fuel, emitting 274 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 6/10) — that's about $1,500 saved over 5 years versus the average new vehicle.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Carnival | 34 | 32 | $1,900 | 274 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2026 Carnival | 34 | 31 | $1,950 | 275 | — | 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid | |
| 2025 Carnival | 34 | 31 | $1,900 | 274 | 6/10 | 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the Carnival stacks up against the most fuel-efficient minivans, or calculate this Carnival's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Kia Carnival have? Power & range
The Kia Carnival is offered with 2 powertrains — 3.5L 6-cyl, 1.6L 4-cyl Hybrid. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 3.5L · 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | FWD | Regular |
| Hybrid | 1.6L · 4-cyl | Automatic (AM-S6) | FWD | Regular |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Can a Kia Carnival tow? Towing & payload
As a van, the Kia Carnival is built to tow and haul. The exact maximum towing capacity and payload depend on the engine, drivetrain and whether it has the factory tow package.
What sets your Carnival's tow & payload rating:
- Engine — a larger or turbocharged engine tows more than the base unit.
- Drivetrain & axle — 4WD/AWD and the axle ratio shift the rating.
- Tow package — the factory towing package (hitch, wiring, transmission cooler) raises the max.
- Payload & GVWR — GVWR caps the combined load; more passengers and cargo lower how much you can tow.
Exact towing capacity, payload and GVWR are added per engine, drivetrain and trim — decode your VIN above, or check the driver's door-jamb and hitch labels. Curb weight from vehicle specifications.
How much does a Kia Carnival cost to own?
A used Kia Carnival sells for a median of about $42,565 for a 2026 — most listed between $31,950 and $49,988, from 24 real US listings we track. That real market price is what depreciation eats into, so it's the true anchor of the cost to own:
| Year | Typical price | Market range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Carnival | $31,950–$49,988 | 3 | |
| 2025 Carnival | $28,500–$47,995 | 4 | |
| 2024 Carnival | $18,500–$40,997 | 9 | |
| 2022 Carnival | $22,980–$28,988 | 8 |
For every model year mileage-adjusted, trade-in vs private-party vs dealer pricing and a good-deal check, see what a Carnival is worth today, or browse used-market prices across all models.
A Kia Carnival depreciates at about an average rate. A typical example keeps roughly 46% of its value after five years — losing about 54% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 80% | $24,000 | −$6,000 |
| Year 2 | 70% | $21,000 | −$9,000 |
| Year 3 | 61% | $18,300 | −$11,700 |
| Year 4 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 5 | 46% | $13,800 | −$16,200 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this Carnival loses about 54% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $9,500 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the Carnival ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a Kia Carnival to insure?
A Kia Carnival costs about $1,380 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 4% below the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (96, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the Carnival's HLDI loss index. See Kia insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Kia Carnival safe?
The Kia Carnival earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall safety — real government crash-test data. Ratings by year:
| Year | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Carnival | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested model years.
Want the safest pick? Compare crash-test scores across the safest cars.
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How many miles does a Kia Carnival last?
A well-maintained Kia Carnival typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 4.0/5.
Check your Kia Carnival’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this Carnival’s VIN free →All Kia Carnival model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Kia Carnival — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Carnival | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2025 Carnival | 2 recalls | — | |
| 2024 Carnival | 2 recalls | ★★★★★ | |
| 2023 Carnival | 4 recalls | — | |
| 2022 Carnival | 6 recalls | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the Carnival?
By owner-complaint volume, 2022, 2025, 2024 drew the most reports. 2026, 2023, 2024 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the Carnival have?
16 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2022–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN.
What MPG does the Carnival get?
Up to 33 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
Is the Carnival safe?
The Carnival earns up to 5-star NHTSA overall crash-test safety; ratings vary by model year.
How many miles does a Carnival last?
A well-maintained Carnival typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the Carnival reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the Carnival is 4.0/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Kia Carnival warranty?
New Kia models carry a 5 years / 60,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 10 years / 100,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Kia dealer.
Where is the Kia Carnival made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your Carnival's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Kia may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the Carnival have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.