Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2023 Kia Carnival. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Fuel Leak at Pipe Connection
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
- 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. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 24, 2026.
Roof Molding May Detach
- Summary
- Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
- Consequence
- A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Power Sliding Door May Close on Occupant
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- A power sliding door that does not auto-reverse can close on an occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- 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.
Tow Hitch Harness Fire While Parked or Driving
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (51)
51 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The unknown or other is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 51 |
|---|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 22 | 43.1% |
| Structure | 12 | 23.5% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 11.8% |
| Engine | 5 | 9.8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 5.9% |
| Chest clip | 2 | 3.9% |
| Fuel system | 2 | 3.9% |
| Lane departure | 2 | 3.9% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 3.9% |
| Seat belts | 2 | 3.9% |
How 2023 compares with other Carnival years
Best and worst Carnival years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 136 | 6 |
| 2023 | 51 | 4 |
| 2024 | 75 | 2 |
| 2025 | 126 | 1 |
| 2026 | 26 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 22 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,050
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 408 g/mi
- EPA class
- Minivan -
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 22 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 26 / 22 | $3,050 | 408 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2023 Carnival for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2023 Kia Carnival FAQ
How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Carnival have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 26V232000 (fuel system), 24V025000 (structure), 23V236000 (structure), 23V179000 (trailer hitches). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2023 Kia Carnival problems?
Owners filed 51 complaints with NHTSA. Unknown or other (22), Structure (12), Electrical system (6) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2023 Kia Carnival get?
EPA rates the 3.5 L 6-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 19 city, 26 highway and 22 combined mpg.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.