2023 Kia Carnival Safety Report
2023 KIA CARNIVAL Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2023 Kia Carnival
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2023 Kia Carnival. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (43) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 1 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2026 | Compare against the 2026 Kia Carnival with 12 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2022 | Check the 2022 Kia Carnival before buying across this generation. |
Kia Carnival Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Carnival years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Kia Carnival | 56 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2022 Kia Carnival | 125 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2025 Kia Carnival | 96 | 0 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2026 Kia Carnival | 12 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2023 Kia Carnival Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2023 Kia Carnival, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
13 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyStructure
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Kia onlyElectrical System,Latches/Locks/Linkages
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Latches/Locks/Linkages issues Kia onlyEngine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyChest Clip, Buckle, Harness
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness issues Kia onlySeat Belts
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Seat Belts issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2023 Kia Carnival
Reliability Score
The 2023 Kia Carnival receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2023 Kia Carnival
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2023 Kia Carnival:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structural Issues Kia is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles due to structural issues with the roof and pillars, which could affect safety during driving. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System Leak A strong gasoline smell and a severe fuel leak were reported, posing a significant safety hazard. Dealership replaced fuel injection related parts after finding a leak, but the problem persists. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Power Sliding Door Malfunction The power sliding door has been problematic, with instances of it closing on occupants and failing to reverse when an object is in its path. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Malfunctions Electrical system malfunctions, such as door latches and seat belt failures, have been noted, affecting vehicle reliability and safety. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2023 Kia Carnival:
Fuel system issues, including leaks and malfunctions, are a common problem.
Power sliding door malfunctions, such as closing on occupants, are a recurring issue.
Structural issues with the roof and pillars are a concern, especially in certain models.
Electrical system malfunctions, such as door latches and seat belt failures, are a common issue.
Recall Details for the 2023 Kia Carnival
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Kia Carnival by NHTSA:
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.
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.
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. Owne...
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2023 Kia Carnival
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2023 Kia Carnival with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 6 reported injuries or fatalities.
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, while driving at various speeds, there was an abnormally strong fuel odor coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to two separate dealers, where the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The contact was given a diagnostic fee from the dealers, bu...
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that during freezing weather, the button was depressed to open the driver's side rear sliding door, and the door automatically opened; however, the motor reached a point of resistance and attempted to close the sliding door. Due to the failure of the cable in the door snapped behind the glass window. The contact manually opened the sliding d...
ABS was activating inappropriately creating a grinding/pulsating noise while I was attempting to stop at a light. The vehicle did slow down but despite the completely dry road service and sufficient stopping distance, the vehicle never came to a stop and ran into the vehicle in front of me. The vehicle is currently in the autobody shop to be repaired as it is not drivable (leaking fluids). I ...
Strong fuel smell that comes and goes. Dealership replaced fuel injection related parts after finding a leak. Problem is still present.
Passenger side sliding door periodically gets stuck trying to open or close. My 3 year olds finger got stuck in the closed position of the sliding door and we could not get the door open immediately because of the faulty door periodically getting stuck.
Gas/pump door actuator failed. Unable to open and put gas in car. This car is only 1.5 years old.
On August 23, 2025, I purchased a certified pre-owned Kia Carnival. Within hours, the vehicle had a severe fuel leak that produced a strong gasoline odor. Driving it made me sick, and I feared for the safety of my three children in the vehicle. A Kia technician later confirmed a crossover fuel line leak so severe that he became ill while inspecting it and feared the vehicle could explode. Even aft...
The power sliding door does not reverse when an object is in its path. The door closed on my sons body. He was okay we were able to pull the handle to make it open again but it did not stop on its own. Another instance the door did not stop closing when a toy went into the door. The door just crunched the toy and shut while beeping.
My [XXX] son locked himself and his [XXX] brother in the car today. The scenario which is repeatable is if the cars start button is pushed to turn on accessory power the key fob will no longer unlock the doors. My father had the key fob outside of the car, while my son scrambled up front and pushed both the start button on the car and the door lock button. Again at this point the key fob is outs...
After working out at my gym, my daughters and I were driving on a side street near at around 35MPH. With no warning, a large POP happened and our passenger sliding door window shattered. Thankfully, nothing but a scratch happened to my [XXX] that was in her car seat closest to the window that shattered. I called our local KIA dealership and my insurance agent and both mentioned that it could be be...
Gas door outside cover would not open which makes it impossible to pump gas. Dealership removed door to enable the ability to pump gas. This then disables the safety feature that keeps the van door from sliding open which a rear passenger may mistakenly open the door and the gas pump hose would be knocked off. if Dealership opens the door to the gas area, and leaves the door to the gas cover aj...
Unknown as to what exactly happened, but my husband put my daughter in her car seat buckled her and was just fine. We arrived to our destination no more than 15 minutes later and her chest clip buckle had busted apart. I do have video of the chest clip and how it was apart, however, as soon as I get the new piece and I will not have it to show due to needing the car seat. I do have video of the i...
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that the seat belt located in the rear middle row was inoperable. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the seat belt failed to retract. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the seat belt needed to be replaced. The dealer ordered the part, which was on backorder. Th...
The car seat harness fails to stay engaged in a safe and secure position. When tightened to the correct position it becomes loose. I contacted Nuna and they advised I should clean the harness adjuster button from debris but I did that and the harness is still coming loose. I don’t know how many times my children have been transported while wearing this faulty harness over time since purchasing our...
The windshield started cracking while the car was parked and continued cracking over the next week. The crack now runs from the center top, 3/4 of the way across the driver's side
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that an unknown fluid was leaking from the left side of the steering column while driving at various speeds. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where the parts on the steering column were wiped down and the contact was instructed to return the vehicle to the dealer if the failure persisted. The failure returned and the vehicle was take...
My 2023 KIA Carnival has a windshield cracked even without hitting rock or anything. My vehicle was parked on the driveway overnight. I can prove that the damage occurred without the car moving. I have this issue on my dash cam too. The data is saved with date and time. Kia Findlay Las Vegas refuses repair. It's not an official recall about this problem. But Similar cases can be read on the Intern...
The rails in the middle row where the seats connect to, get extremely hot to the point where it is very hot to touch. This is a safety issue that could potentially cause a fire and/or burn my children’s’ feet. It doesn’t matter if the car has been driven for a short period of time or on a long trip, regardless the rails get very hot
We drove an hour then sat in the car while it was on for about 30 minutes. The gas tank was 14% full. We started driving again down a bit of a hill & got to a stop light. The car started beeping & said “engine off! Switch to N then start engine” We turned the car off and back on & it started working.
Gas door does not open. It is faulty and won’t open when car is locked or unlocked. Unable to open to add fuel to vehicle. It has been giving issues for 3 months. This seems to be a VERY common problem with all KIA Carnivals.
Showing 20 of 43 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2023 Kia Carnival
Has the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL been recalled?
Yes, the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL have?
The 2023 KIA CARNIVAL has 43 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 1 involved crashes. 6 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL?
The 2023 KIA CARNIVAL does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL involve unknown or other (13 complaints), structure (9 complaints), electrical system,latches/locks/linkages (2 complaints). Other affected components include engine, chest clip, buckle, harness, seat belts.
How many crash reports does the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL have?
There are 1 crash reports associated with the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL out of 43 total complaints (2.3% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL have?
There are no fire reports for the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL.
How many injuries are reported for the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL?
6 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2023 KIA CARNIVAL?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 43 complaints, 3 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL?
The components with the most failures on the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (13 complaints), 2. STRUCTURE (9 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (2 complaints), 4. ENGINE (2 complaints), 5. CHEST CLIP, BUCKLE, HARNESS (2 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 13 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2023 KIA CARNIVAL?
Be cautious of structural issues, fuel system leaks, and power sliding door malfunctions. These are common problems that could affect safety and reliability. The 2023 KIA CARNIVAL has 43 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL?
The 2023 KIA CARNIVAL receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 43 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Structural Issues and Fuel System Leak.
What are the known issues with the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL?
Known issues with the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL include: Structural Issues, Fuel System Leak, Power Sliding Door Malfunction, Electrical System Malfunctions. These are based on patterns found across 43 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL?
Yes, there are recalls for structural issues with the roof and pillars, and fuel system leaks.
What are the common electrical system malfunctions in the 2023 KIA CARNIVAL?
Common electrical system malfunctions include door latches and seat belt failures.
Is there a known issue with the power sliding door?
Yes, the power sliding door has been problematic, with instances of it closing on occupants and failing to reverse when an object is in its path.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of structural issues, fuel system leaks, and power sliding door malfunctions. These are common problems that could affect safety and reliability.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2023 Kia Carnival
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2023 Kia Carnival. The data includes 43 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, 6 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16