Kia Carnival Best and Worst Years (2022–2025)
The 2025 Kia Carnival is the year to avoid, with a complaint index of 100 and 124 complaints dominated by electrical system failures (67% share, median 34,967 miles). The 2023 Carnival is the best year, with a complaint index of 0 and only 51 complaints.
- Model years
- 4
- 2022–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 383
- Recall campaigns
- 6
- Crashes reported
- 7
- Fires reported
- 0
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
Carnival Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Kia Carnival problems and recalls by year
Carnival years to avoid: what went wrong
2025 Kia Carnival Index 100 · 124 complaints · 1 recalls
NHTSA lists 124 complaints for the 2025 Carnival, the highest complaint index (100) of any year in this generation. Electrical System problems make up 67% of complaints for this year, with a median failure mileage of 34,967 miles. Owners describe parasitic battery drain that repeatedly kills the battery and, in some cases, leaves the vehicle undrivable; dealers reportedly struggle to identify the cause. Engine issues account for 13% of complaints, Fuel System 8%, and Structure & Body 6%. One recall (26V232000) covers a fuel pipe connection that may leak. No fires or crashes are recorded for this year.
Most common Kia Carnival problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Electrical System131 (34%)
- Other106 (28%)
- Structure & Body78 (20%)
- Engine53 (14%)
- Fuel System37 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers24 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain15 (4%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras12 (3%)
- Steering12 (3%)
- Brakes7 (2%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Kia Carnival should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2025 Kia Carnival ranks worst, with a complaint index of 100 and 124 complaints, most involving the Electrical System.
- What is the best year for the Kia Carnival?
- The 2023 Kia Carnival is the best year based on NHTSA data, with a complaint index of 0 and only 51 total complaints.
- Is the 2025 Kia Carnival reliable?
- NHTSA data shows the 2025 Carnival has the most reported problems of the model years covered, led by Electrical System complaints (67% share, median mileage 34,967) and one fuel system recall.
- Does the Kia Carnival have any recalls?
- Across 2022-2025, NHTSA records 6 recall campaigns for the Carnival, including a 2025 fuel pipe leak recall (26V232000).
- Is the 2022 Kia Carnival worth caution?
- The 2022 Carnival carries a Caution verdict with 135 complaints, a complaint index of 67, and 6 recalls, with Structure & Body as the top problem area.