Research · Minivan - 2WD

2024 Kia CarnivalRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 75 owner complaints for the 2024 Kia Carnival. Most complaints involve electrical system (17) and engine (8). The EPA rates it 22 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
22mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Apr 2026
Owner complaints
75
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Apr 10, 2026NHTSA 26V232000

Structure: roof and pillars

Free remedy

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.

StructureReported Jan 18, 2024NHTSA 24V025000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

75 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2023 – Oct 2026
  1. Electrical system17
  2. Engine8
  3. Steering7
  4. Fuel/propulsion system6
  5. Seats6
  6. Structure6
  7. Service brakes3
  8. Visibility/wiper3
  9. Vehicle speed control2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Carnival model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2022136
202352
202475
2025126
202630
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

17 reports
“NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint Vehicle: 2024 Kia Carnival Mileage at Failure: Approximately 74,000 miles Incident Date: [XXX] I am filing this complaint regarding a significant safety-related failure involving the power sliding door on my 2024 Kia Carnival. On [XXX], the driver side passenger power sliding door became completely inoperable due to a latch and actuator failure. Prior to service, the door was stuck in the closed position and could not be opened through normal operation. The vehicle was brought to Kia of Columbia, Connecticut, for evaluation. During diagnosis, the service technician was required to force the door open. Once opened, the door could no longer be closed. The dealership determined that the power sliding door motor actuator had failed and required replacement. When I arrived to pick up the vehicle on [XXX], the sliding door remained stuck in the open position and could not be latched or secured. Because the door could not be closed, the vehicle was not safe to operate on public roads and was effectively undrivable. The replacement actuator was ordered on September 21, 2026. The part did not arrive until September 29, 2026, and repairs…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 1, 2026Electrical systemODI 11768250

Engine

8 reports
“The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked violently and experienced a loss of motive power, with reduced power. Several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired because the warning lights were no longer illuminated. The contact continued to drive the vehicle, and the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and was awaiting diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 48,320.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 15, 2026EngineODI 11764470

Steering

7 reports1 crash
“Out of nowhere, we started our vehicle that was no more than a year old, and all of the emergency alert indicators on the dash came on. All of the warning lights in the dash. The power steering went out and would go from very stiff to very loose. the car would shutter and then drive normal for a few min and then slow way down without warning. Again, all dash warning lights and alarms would go off. This first appeared on [XXX], we took to the Kia service on Nov. 17, 2025, and it was been in the shop with no repair since that day and todays date is Jan, 12, 2026. As of today they still do not know what is wrong with the vehicle and have no end in sight.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2026Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11710508
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Minivan - 2WD
Engines
3.5L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Carnival
Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Front-Wheel Drive
192622$2,900408
  • Carnival
    Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.5 L
    19 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Kia Carnival PV Later Release FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.0%
Overall
— / 5
Kia Carnival PV FWD
Frontal crash
Not rated
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.0%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 20793Vehicle 19270
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2024 Carnival questions

How many recalls does the 2024 Kia Carnival have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2024 Kia Carnival problems?

Owners filed 75 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (17), engine (8), steering (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2024 Kia Carnival get?

The EPA rates the 2024 Kia Carnival at 22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2024 Kia Carnival?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2024 Kia Carnival 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026