2022 Kia Carnival Safety Report

The 2022 Kia Carnival presents a mixed safety picture, with several critical recalls addressing fire and injury risks, alongside a notable number of consumer complaints. While NHTSA crash test ratings are not available for this model, five recalls have been issued, indicating significant safety concerns identified by the manufacturer and regulators. These recalls cover issues such as potential fuel leaks increasing fire risk (affecting the fuel rail tube), power sliding doors that may not auto-reverse or latch properly (increasing injury risk, with 34 reported injuries), and roof molding detachment which could create a road hazard. A specific recall also addresses a tow hitch harness that could cause a fire. Consumer complaints, totaling 125, align with some of these recall issues, particularly concerning the power sliding doors. Multiple complaints describe the doors closing on occupants, causing injuries, or failing to latch, which directly relates to two of the recalls. Other common complaint patterns include issues with the 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' category (23 complaints), STRUCTURE (21 complaints, including roof molding and liftgate failures), and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (11 complaints, including Kia Connect and battery issues). Engine-related complaints, though fewer (5), include reports of knocking, smoke, and complete vehicle disablement, some potentially linked to the fuel rail recall. The overall safety picture is concerning due to the high number of recalls addressing fundamental safety systems and the consistency between recall issues and consumer-reported injuries. The lack of NHTSA crash test data makes it difficult to assess passive safety performance in collisions. However, the active safety concerns highlighted by the recalls and complaints, particularly regarding the power sliding doors and potential fire hazards, suggest areas where the vehicle's safety could be compromised.

Our recommendation: Given the numerous recalls for fire and injury risks, particularly concerning the power sliding doors and fuel system, potential buyers should exercise caution and ensure all recall remedies have been performed. A thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on these known issues is highly recommended.