Kia · Known Issues
2025 Kia Carnival Problems: 17 Known Issues
2025 model year · 312+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2025 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2025 model year · 312+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2025 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 312+ owner reports, the 2025 Kia Carnival has 17 documented known issues, with 8 rated critical. The most serious are Engine Stalling and Unexpected Loss of Motive Power While Driving ($150-$2,500 repair), High-Pressure Fuel Crossover Pipe / Fuel Rail Leak Fire Risk (Recall 26V232), Instrument Cluster Goes Blank While Driving (Overheat-Protection Software Fault, Recall SC361) ($0-$0 repair), Carnival Hybrid Loss of Power / Limited Acceleration, A/C Compressor Premature Failure and Weak Cooling (Service Action SA632) ($0-$2,000 repair), Phantom Braking / Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist False Activation ($0-$1,200 repair), Second- and Third-Row Seat Belt Buckle Anchor Bolts Non-Compliant (Recall SC372) ($0-$0 repair) and 12V Parasitic Battery Drain While Parked (Service Action SA593). The most commonly reported issue is Power Sliding Door Latch and Motor Failure with 312 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $40 to $6,000. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
TRAILER HITCHES
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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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."
+ 2 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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According to Au7o's analysis of 312+ owner reports, the 2025 Kia Carnival has 17 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Engine Stalling and Unexpected Loss of Motive Power While Driving, High-Pressure Fuel Crossover Pipe / Fuel Rail Leak Fire Risk (Recall 26V232), Instrument Cluster Goes Blank While Driving (Overheat-Protection Software Fault, Recall SC361). Of these, 8 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2025 Kia Carnival has 17 known issues documented across 312+ owner reports. 8 issues are rated critical: Engine Stalling and Unexpected Loss of Motive Power While Driving and High-Pressure Fuel Crossover Pipe / Fuel Rail Leak Fire Risk (Recall 26V232) and Instrument Cluster Goes Blank While Driving (Overheat-Protection Software Fault, Recall SC361) and Carnival Hybrid Loss of Power / Limited Acceleration and A/C Compressor Premature Failure and Weak Cooling (Service Action SA632) and Phantom Braking / Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist False Activation and Second- and Third-Row Seat Belt Buckle Anchor Bolts Non-Compliant (Recall SC372) and 12V Parasitic Battery Drain While Parked (Service Action SA593). Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Kia Carnival issues range from $0 to $6,000, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Engine Stalling and Unexpected Loss of Motive Power While Driving, typically costs $150-$2,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
Owners report the Carnival stalling or losing motive power while driving, sometimes in moving traffic, frequently accompanied by an illuminated check-engine light. Several NHTSA filings describe the vehicle cutting off multiple times, shaking uncontrollably, or being unable to ex… Repairs typically run $150-$2,500. Severity: high.
NHTSA campaign 26V232000 (Kia SC368) covers 2022-2026 Carnival vehicles. High-pressure cross-over fuel-pipe nuts may loosen over time, allowing fuel to leak at the connection between the pipe and fuel rail. Fuel odor or a check-engine light may precede the leak; fuel near an igni… Severity: high.
Certain Carnival and Carnival Hybrid digital instrument clusters can unnecessarily enter an overheat-protection mode due to excessive signal noise from the cluster's power-management circuit. When this happens the screen temporarily goes blank while driving, so the speedometer, w… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
NHTSA complaints for the 2025 Carnival Hybrid are dominated by loss of acceleration — the vehicle suddenly limiting power, with owners held to roughly 30-35 mph, frequently in cold weather (sometimes below 10 F). Restarting the vehicle often temporarily clears it, and dealerships… Severity: high.
Owners report the air conditioning gradually losing cooling or quitting entirely, sometimes at low mileage. Kia issued service action SA632 for certain 2025-2026 Carnivals citing excessive clearance between the compressor piston and cylinder that reduces its ability to compress r… Repairs typically run $0-$2,000. Severity: high.
Owners report the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA) / AEB system braking or alarming with no real obstacle present (phantom braking), including on highways, on curved roads, and when cresting slopes where the radar misreads adjacent vehicles or terrain. Unexpected automati… Repairs typically run $0-$1,200. Severity: high.
Kia is recalling 2022-2026 Carnival vehicles because the second- and third-row seat belt buckle anchor bolts do not meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 209 (Seat Belt Assemblies). The anchor bolts may not hold the buckle securely, so in a crash a rear-seat occupant may… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
Kia Service Action SA593 applies to certain 2025 Carnival and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Central Communication Unit software may fail to enter its normal sleep state, creating a dark-current draw from the 12V battery while parked and potentially causing low battery voltage or a no… Severity: high.
The Kia Carnival (2022-2025) develops issues with the power sliding door system where the door fails to open, close, or latch properly. The power sliding door motor can fail or the latch mechanism becomes misaligned. Some owners report the door opening on its own while driving. K… Repairs typically run $200-$1,200. Severity: medium.
The 8-speed automatic exhibits torque-converter lockup-clutch shudder in ECO/Smart drive mode at low RPM (roughly 1,300-1,900 RPM, ~40-55 mph) under light acceleration, often described as a vibration or misfire-like sensation that does not occur in Sport mode. Owners also report… Severity: medium.
Multiple owners report front brake rotors warping early, producing steering-wheel/brake-pedal pulsation and vibration under braking, with some reporting recurrence even after rotors are replaced or resurfaced. Owners and forum discussion attribute it to the minivan's curb weight… Repairs typically run $300-$800. Severity: medium.
Some Carnival owners report the 3.5L GDI V6 consuming noticeable oil between changes (commonly 0.25-0.5 qt, with heavier cases reported), a pattern tied to low-tension piston rings and GDI carbon buildup that affects many direct-injection engines. The risk with the Carnival's lar… Repairs typically run $0-$6,000. Severity: medium.
Carnivals with the panoramic sunroof can leak water into the cabin, showing up as a wet headliner or damp footwells after heavy rain. The sunroof relies on corner drain tubes that route water down the pillars; debris clogs the tubes (or seals age/misalign), so water backs up and… Repairs typically run $100-$600. Severity: medium.
Owners of 3.5L Lambda III V6 Carnivals report a distinct ticking or rattling noise for a few seconds on cold start that fades as the engine warms and oil pressure builds. Reported root causes include the timing-chain tensioner briefly losing its prime, the high-pressure GDI fuel… Repairs typically run $0-$1,500. Severity: medium.
The side-mirror Blind-Spot View Monitor cameras that display a live feed in the cluster when signaling can flicker, show a distorted image, or go blank. Owners report the cluster feed dropping out and the blind-spot/rear-cross-traffic systems disabling entirely, sometimes needing… Repairs typically run $300-$900. Severity: medium.
Owners report the paint on low-mileage, often garage-kept Carnivals chipping down to primer within weeks and, in some cases, the base coat/clear coat delaminating and lifting in sheets. Light colors, particularly Snow White Pearl, appear most affected, consistent with a wider Hyu… Repairs typically run $500-$3,000. Severity: medium.
A common Carnival complaint is a musty/mildew or sour smell from the vents, sometimes appearing within days of a new purchase. The cause is moisture and organic debris collecting on the A/C evaporator and in the HVAC case, where bacteria/mold grow, worsened by constant recirculat… Repairs typically run $40-$400. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.