YearToAvoid

2022 Kia Carnival Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

67/100

#2 most-complained of 4 Carnival years

The 2022 Kia Carnival has a complaint index of 67 and ranks 2nd worst of 4 model years, earning a Caution verdict. It has 135 complaints, 6 recalls, and 4 crashes reported, with Structure & Body issues leading at 32% of complaints.

Complaints
135
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
4 / 0
Injuries / deaths
34 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 26 hwy

Top 2022 Kia Carnival problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Structure & Body43 (32%)
  2. Other34 (25%)
  3. Electrical System25 (19%)
  4. Engine20 (15%)
  5. Visibility & Wipers18 (13%)
  6. Fuel System15 (11%)
  7. Transmission & Powertrain7 (5%)
  8. Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (4%)
  9. Steering3 (2%)
  10. Airbags2 (1%)

What owners report

  • Power sliding doors close with strong force and lack a safety mechanism to reverse when hitting an obstacle, raising injury concerns.
  • Passenger-side power sliding door remote controller can malfunction, keeping the door from latching securely shut.
  • Forward collision warning has triggered false braking events with no vehicle ahead, sometimes reacting to other cars' rear sensors.
  • Windshields and rear windows have cracked or shattered without any apparent impact, at a median mileage of 11,500 for visibility complaints.
  • Fuel system problems include a check engine light and cylinder misfire tied to a faulty fuel injector shortly after startup.
  • Second-row seat fold levers can be mixed up, causing the seat to snap forward and strike occupants.
2022 Kia Carnival complaints: complaints filed per quarter222021 Q22022 Q12022 Q42023 Q32024 Q22025 Q12025 Q42026 Q3
175 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2021 Q2 to 2026 Q3; peak 2022 Q1 (22).

2022 Kia Carnival recalls

6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 26V232000Apr 10, 2026Fuel System141,032 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC368. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 24, 2026.

  2. NHTSA 24V025000Jan 18, 2024Structure & Body101,049 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: 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.

  3. NHTSA 23V236000Mar 31, 2023Structure & Body51,568 vehicles

    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.

    Risk: 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.

See all 6 recalls for the 2022 Kia Carnival →

2022 Kia Carnival fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
26 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2022 compared with other Carnival years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002022202320242025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2022Caution67135622
2023Best051422
2024Good3373222

All Kia Carnival years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2022 Kia Carnival reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2022 Carnival a complaint index of 67 and a Caution verdict, ranking 2nd worst among the 4 model years with data. Structure & Body complaints make up 32% of all reports for this year.
Does the 2022 Kia Carnival have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2022 Carnival, covering fuel pipe leaks, roof molding detachment, power sliding door software, a tow hitch harness water issue, a sliding door actuator, and a damaged fuel rail tube.
What is the most common problem with the 2022 Kia Carnival?
Structure & Body issues are the top problem area, accounting for 43 of 135 complaints (32%), with a median failure mileage of 1,010 miles.
How does the 2022 Carnival compare to other years?
The 2022 Carnival's complaint index of 67 is worse than the 2023 (0, Best) and 2024 (33, Good) model years, but better than the 2025 model year, which has an index of 100 and an Avoid verdict.
What is the fuel economy of the 2022 Kia Carnival?
EPA rates the 2022 Carnival at 22 mpg combined (19 city / 26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,950.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.