2022 Kia Carnival Recalls & Complaints

Incident: June 20, 2026 · Filed: September 29, 2026

On June 20, 2026, the instrument cluster in my 2022 Kia Carnival became completely inoperative. The failure prevents me from viewing vehicle speed, fuel level, gear position, warning indicators, mileage, and other information normally displayed by the cluster. Because the cluster is the driver's primary source for operating and warning information, I believe the complete loss of the display creates a safety risk while driving. An authorized Kia dealership confirmed the failure on August 17, 2026. The dealer documented the complaint as “cluster inop” and “unable to get miles.” The technician found no diagnostic trouble codes and checked the fuse, wiring harness, and connectors, all of which were documented as OK. The dealership concluded: “CLUSTER INTERNAL ISSUE. REC REPLACE CLUSTER.” The dealer recommended replacement and programming of the complete instrument cluster at a customer-pay cost of $9,783.40. Kia has been notified. Customer Care twice declined assistance based on the vehicle being outside warranty. My concern is that this has been treated only as a warranty matter rather than evaluated as a potential safety-related defect. The precise internal cause is UNKNOWN. The cluster has not been disassembled or subjected to engineering analysis. It has not yet been replaced and remains available for inspection upon request. I request that NHTSA review this failure with any similar complaints, manufacturer communications, warranty claims, field reports, Techline cases, or failed-component data involving 2022 Kia Carnival instrument clusters to determine whether a broader safety-related defect pattern exists. Prior warning lamps, messages, or symptoms before complete failure: UNKNOWN.

Incident: January 15, 2026 · Filed: September 22, 2026

The power sliding door actuator motor drive cables on my 2022 Kia Carnival snapped on both the passenger and driver sides. The doors are stuck shut, even in manual mode, creating a safety hazard for passengers since the only way to exit in an accident would be through the rear hatch or the front doors. The Kia dealer said they couldn’t open the doors without removing the interior sliding door panels, which would require damaging them because the doors are stuck shut. There were no warning signs before either cable broke. I have also researched online and it seems many Kia Carnival Owners are having the same sort of issue.

Incident: September 12, 2026 · Filed: September 15, 2026

The rear latch on both sliding doors rusts and the buildup prevents the door from closing eventually because the latch mechanism stays up. There is a video on this from a Kia master tech.

Incident: November 29, 2025 · Filed: August 1, 2026

The power sliding door on my Kia Carnival has repeatedly failed to reopen when an occupant was caught in the doorway. On multiple occasions, my young child has become trapped by the sliding door after it began closing. Instead of consistently detecting the obstruction and reversing as expected, the door continued to close and pinned my child until an adult intervened. This creates a serious safety hazard because children can become trapped or injured by the power sliding door. The issue has happened several times, making me concerned that the anti-pinch/obstacle detection system is not functioning properly or consistently. The problem appears intermittent but has occurred often enough that I no longer trust the safety feature. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I am submitting this complaint because I believe this is a widespread safety defect affecting Kia Carnival sliding doors and understand other owners have reported similar incidents. I am concerned that a child could suffer a serious injury if this defect is not addressed.

Incident: July 25, 2025 · Filed: July 27, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V908000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages, Structure); however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side power sliding door failed to latch securely. The contact used force while pushing the rear passenger’s side sliding door from the outside to latch the sliding door properly. The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that it was unrelated to the recall repair. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Incident: June 10, 2026 · Filed: July 4, 2026

SC368 CROSS OVER FUEL PIPE recall incomplete by kia of des moines

Incident: May 18, 2026 · Filed: June 12, 2026

I am writing to formally complain about the delay in repairing my vehicle under an active recall involving the fuel system/crossover fuel pump. I have been informed that the required part is on backorder and that the repair may not be available until the end of July. My concern is that I am experiencing strong fuel fumes in and around the vehicle. The odor is severe enough that it is causing headaches, and I do not feel it is safe for me or my children to ride in the vehicle. Given that this recall involves a fuel-related component, I am extremely concerned about both the health effects of continued exposure to the fumes and the potential risk of fire. At this time, I do not believe the vehicle is safe to operate. I am requesting that Kia provide an immediate solution, including one or more of the following: A loaner vehicle until the recall repair can be completed; Rental vehicle reimbursement; Expedited repair assistance; or Any other reasonable accommodation that ensures my family's safety.

Incident: April 20, 2026 · Filed: June 4, 2026

Fuel leak at pipe connection between the fuel pipe and fuel rail. Nuts securing the high-pressure crossover fuel pipe to the fuel rail loosened, leaking raw fuel, leading to risk of fire. This has been reported and confirmed by Ron Bouchard Kia, of Lancaster, MA, USA. It is a part of Kia Recall SC368 (NHTSA ID: 26V232). We noticed the vehicle was leaking a substance in April 2025. After receiving recall notice in April 2026, we brought the vehicle in to be check on XXX. We were informed on XXX by phone that our vehicle was affected and fell under this recall. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: May 12, 2026 · Filed: May 18, 2026

My 2022 Kia Carnival, approximately 80,000 miles, had intermittent dashboard warning lights and grinding brake noise for a few weeks. I brought the vehicle to Tasca Kia White Plains first time on 4/14/26 then again on 5/8/26. The dealership initially could not reproduce the issue, then later suspected an ABS sensor issue and ordered the part. On 5/12/26, before the repair was completed, I was driving downhill with my children in the vehicle when the brakes failed to respond properly. I had to steer off the roadway and go over rocks/boulders to stop the vehicle. At that time, the brakes would not respond normally, and I could not immediately shift the vehicle into Park. Police and towing services were involved. The dealership later replaced an ABS sensor. However, when I reviewed the codes with the service manager, I was told the ABS sensor code did not appear on the date of the brake incident. I was also told that an ABS sensor failure itself would not typically cause hydraulic brake failure. I am concerned that the sensor replacement does not explain the brake failure and that this may involve a brake/ABS/electronic stability control safety issue.

Incident: April 29, 2026 · Filed: April 29, 2026

The contact owns a 2022 Kia Carnival. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V320000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.