YearToAvoid

2025 Kia Carnival Engine Problems

NHTSA has logged 16 Engine complaints for the 2025 Kia Carnival, 13% of its 124 total complaints. There is no related recall listed for this issue.

Engine complaints
16
13% of 124
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
—
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of acceleration, with the vehicle limiting itself to around 30 mph and a dash warning falsely claiming a 30 mph speed limit.
  • Several owners describe the engine running rough with shuddering, a flashing or briefly illuminated check engine light, and hesitation to accelerate above certain speeds like 50 mph.
  • Some drivers report the vehicle entering limp home mode without warning or diagnostic codes, making the problem hard for technicians to trace.
  • One owner reported the engine over-filling with oil during service because residual oil was not accounted for during oil changes.
  • A separate owner reported the vehicle suddenly moving forward on its own while stopped with the brake pedal pressed.
  • Another owner reported the car failing to start after sitting overnight, requiring many attempts before the engine would turn over.

When 2025 Kia Carnival engine complaints were filed

First complaint Aug 10, 2024, latest May 28, 2026.

2025 Kia Carnival engine complaints: complaints filed per month3Aug 2024Apr 2025Jul 2025Nov 2025Apr 2026
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2024 to May 2026; peak Apr 2026 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2025 Kia Carnival

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Carnival model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 202220 (15%)
  2. 20237 (14%)
  3. 202410 (14%)
  4. 202516 (13%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does the 2025 Kia Carnival have?
NHTSA lists 16 engine-related complaints for the 2025 Kia Carnival, which is 13% of its 124 total complaints filed for the model year.
Is there a recall for the 2025 Kia Carnival engine?
No. The data shows no related recalls linked to the engine complaints for the 2025 Kia Carnival.
What engine problems do owners report on the 2025 Kia Carnival?
Owners report sudden loss of acceleration with a false low speed-limit warning, rough running with shuddering, limp home mode without warning, and one report of the car moving forward unexpectedly while stopped.
How does the 2025 Carnival compare to other years for engine complaints?
The 2025 Carnival's engine complaints make up 13% of its total complaints, close to 2022 (15%), 2023 (14%), and 2024 (14%), showing a similar pattern across model years.

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.