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Kia · Known Issues

2026 Kia Carnival Problems: 2 Known Issues

2026 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated September 2026

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Issue summary

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2026 Kia Carnival has 2 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Instrument Cluster Goes Blank While Driving (Overheat-Protection Software Fault, Recall SC361) ($0-$0 repair) and Second- and Third-Row Seat Belt Buckle Anchor Bolts Non-Compliant (Recall SC372) ($0-$0 repair). DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

In This Article

  • Carnival Electrical1
  • Carnival Safety/Recalls1
  • Recalls7
  • FAQ
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In This Article

  • Electrical1
  • Safety/Recalls1
  • Recalls7
  • FAQ

All 2 Known Issues

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ALL YEARS20262025202420232022

On the 2025-2026 Kia Carnival, 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, warning lights and tire-pressure display disappear. Kia recalled the affected vehicles (Kia campaign SC361, tied to NHTSA) as a non-compliance with FMVSS 101 (Controls and Displays) and FMVSS 138 (TPMS). A blank cluster that hides speed and warning telltales raises crash risk.

This issue also affects: Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Santa Cruz, Kia Seltos

Common Symptoms

  • Instrument cluster screen goes black while driving
  • Speedometer disappears intermittently
  • TPMS and warning lights not displayed
  • Cluster reboots or flickers

How to Fix

Covered free under recall SC361. Kia deploys a software update that prevents the cluster from falsely triggering overheat protection; the fix is delivered over-the-air (OTA) or installed at a dealer. Owners can verify eligibility by VIN at NHTSA.gov or owners.kia.com and should ensure the OTA update has installed. No hardware replacement is required.

Find a Kia dealer

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Call to confirm they service Kia vehicles and check your VIN, recall eligibility, parts availability, and appointment options.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $0

Research This Issue

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
Medium ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Jul 2026

On the 2022-2026 Kia Carnival, 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 not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury. This is separate from the previously documented captain's-chair-detachment finding and applies to the belt hardware itself.

Common Symptoms

  • Loose or improperly torqued rear seat belt buckle anchor
  • Seat belt buckle does not sit firmly
  • Recall notice received for SC372

How to Fix

Covered free under recall SC372. Dealers replace the second- and third-row seat belt buckle anchor bolts with compliant hardware. Owners should check VIN eligibility on NHTSA.gov (searchable from June 16, 2026) and schedule the free repair; owner notification letters mailed on/about July 31, 2026. Kia recall line: 1-800-333-4542.

Find a Kia dealer

Choose to share your location for this search, or enter an area below. Your search location is sent to Google to find dealers.

Open Kia dealer map in Google Maps ↗

Call to confirm they service Kia vehicles and check your VIN, recall eligibility, parts availability, and appointment options.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $0

Research This Issue

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
Medium ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Jul 2026
NHTSA Recalls7 recalls

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."

Campaign #26V04600027/01/2026

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.

Campaign #26V23200010/04/2026

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:ELECTRONIC LOCK/LATCH ACTUATOR

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.

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Other Kia Models

Kia Forte31Kia Telluride28Kia Sportage25Kia K523Kia EV621Kia Sorento21

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Kia Carnival problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 2026 Kia Carnival has 2 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Instrument Cluster Goes Blank While Driving (Overheat-Protection Software Fault, Recall SC361), Second- and Third-Row Seat Belt Buckle Anchor Bolts Non-Compliant (Recall SC372). Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Kia Carnival reliable?

The 2026 Kia Carnival has 2 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Instrument Cluster Goes Blank While Driving (Overheat-Protection Software Fault, Recall SC361) and Second- and Third-Row Seat Belt Buckle Anchor Bolts Non-Compliant (Recall SC372). 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.

How much does it cost to fix common Kia Carnival problems?

Repair costs for known Kia Carnival issues range from $0 to $0, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Instrument Cluster Goes Blank While Driving (Overheat-Protection Software Fault, Recall SC361), typically costs $0-$0 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2025-2026 Kia Carnival Instrument Cluster Goes Blank While Driving (Overheat-Protection Software Fault, Recall SC361)?

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.

What is the 2022-2026 Kia Carnival Second- and Third-Row Seat Belt Buckle Anchor Bolts Non-Compliant (Recall SC372)?

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.

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.

Data compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, automotive forums, and AI-assisted research. No aggregated owner-report counts available for this vehicle yet.

Campaign #21V908000
19/11/2021

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Carnival vehicles. The plastic fuel rail tube may have been damaged.

Campaign #21V27700021/04/2021

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.

Campaign #23V17900017/03/2023

+ 2 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov

Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check recalls specific to your vehicle.