YearToAvoid

2024 Kia Carnival Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Good

Complaint Index

33/100

#3 most-complained of 4 Carnival years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2024 Kia Carnival has 73 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 33, and ranks 3rd out of 4 model years — a "Good" verdict relative to other Carnival years. It carries 2 recalls covering fuel pipe leaks and loose roof molding.

Complaints
73
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
2 / 0
Injuries / deaths
11 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 26 hwy

Top 2024 Kia Carnival problems

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

  1. Other26 (36%)
  2. Electrical System17 (23%)
  3. Structure & Body13 (18%)
  4. Engine10 (14%)
  5. Fuel System7 (10%)
  6. Steering7 (10%)
  7. Brakes3 (4%)
  8. Visibility & Wipers3 (4%)
  9. Airbags2 (3%)
  10. Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (3%)

What owners report

  • Windshields have spontaneously cracked with no impact, starting at the edge of the glass and growing several inches within hours.
  • Power-assisted steering has developed leakage and grown harder to turn, sometimes paired with a heated feeling under the second-row seat flooring.
  • The steering wheel has clicked at low speeds during turns and parking, traced to airbag wiring rubbing against the steering column.
  • Second-row slide-flex seats have become hot to the touch and the seatback has lowered unexpectedly when using the automatic seat control.
  • Brakes and steering reportedly failed together during a turn, leading to a loss of control and a guardrail collision.
  • The engine has shuddered and failed to accelerate properly while the check engine light stayed on, requiring multiple tow trips to the dealer.
2024 Kia Carnival complaints: complaints filed per month6Jun 2023Oct 2023Apr 2024Aug 2024Apr 2025Oct 2025Feb 2026Jul 2026
96 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jun 2023 to Sep 2026; peak Sep 2023 (6).

2024 Kia Carnival recalls

2 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.

2024 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.

2024 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
2025Avoid100124121

All Kia Carnival years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2024 Kia Carnival reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2024 Carnival has a Complaint Index of 33 and ranks 3rd out of 4 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other Carnival years.
What problems does the 2024 Kia Carnival have?
The top problem area is the Electrical System, with 17 complaints (23% of the total), followed by Structure & Body issues at 13 complaints (18%) and Engine problems at 10 complaints (14%).
Does the 2024 Kia Carnival have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2024 Carnival: one for a fuel pipe connection that may leak, and one for roof molding that may loosen and detach.
How does the 2024 Carnival compare to other years?
The 2024 model's Complaint Index of 33 is far below the 2025 model's 100 (Avoid) and the 2022 model's 67 (Caution), and is only behind the 2023 model's 0 (Best).
What is the fuel economy of the 2024 Kia Carnival?
The EPA rates the 2024 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.