Engine
3.5L 6-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 126 of 126 complaints with a usable failure date.
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Electrical system
84 complaint records
"My bran new 2025 with 3,000 miles has a completely dead battery. The Kia roadside assistance person was unable to jump start it...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse electrical system parts in the directory →
Engine & cooling
15 complaint records
"I'm getting an alert in the car app that says low battery and will not perform any lock/unlock/start, etc features. It says the battery level is under 40%...."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse engine & cooling parts in the directory →
Fuel system
10 complaint records
"Was driving to work this morning and the first time I tried to get accelerate, I was unable to get above 31 MPH no matter how hard I pushed the pedal. Had to stop and restart. Not sure if it is due to the -1 degree weather this morning?..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse fuel system parts in the directory →
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26V232000 | Fuel System, Gasoline | 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. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026186 2026-04-10 | Fuel System | 17,873 | Issue: On certain vehicles, the nuts for the crossover fuel pipe may not have been properly tightened. As a result, fuel could leak. Safety Risk: A fuel leak can create the risk of a fire. |
| 2024549 2024-08-15 | Label | 647,384 | Issue: On certain vehicles, the compliance label may be missing information in French. The words listed on the label for "Tires", "Rims", "Front" and "Rear" appear in English only, when they should be listed as "Tires/Pneus",... |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSD_REMINDER2_105 Jun 2026 | Structure | IMPORTANT REMINDER: OWNER NOTIFICATION: CARNIVAL POWER SLIDING DOOR FEATURE (KA4PSD2 FLIGHT#105) - This document is the owner notification advising Kia's ongoing commitment to providing vehicle owners with a superior ownership experience. | |
| OTA_ELE413_NOTES_R2 Jun 2026 | SOFTWARE UPDATE | Electrical System | RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR DATA CONNECTIVITY (ELE413 Revision 2) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) logic of certain 2025 - 2026MY Carnival, EV9, K5 and Sorento vehicles. |
| PI2602_TSB Jun 2026 | Seats | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: 2ND ROW SEAT (LH & RH) FOLDING TENSION SPRING REPLACEMENT (PI2602) - This bulletin provides information to enhance the second-row seatback recliner mechanism to dampen the motion of the manual seatback angle adjustment... | |
| PI2602_OWNR Jun 2026 | Seats | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (PI2602) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign on certain 2022-2026 MY Carnival and certain 2025-2026 MY Carnival Hybrid (HEV) vehicles, equipped with manual... | |
| PI2602_QA Jun 2026 | Seats | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (PI2602) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Product Improvement Campaign PI2602. |
Show 43 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| PI2602_DP Jun 2026 | Seats | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (PI2602) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to enhance the second-row seatback recliner mechanism to dampen the motion of the manual... | |
| PI2602_DPSM Jun 2026 | Seats | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (PI2602) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is conducting a Product Improvement Campaign to enhance the second-row seatback recliner mechanism to... | |
| TSB_ELE422 May 2026 | Electrical System | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at update.kia.com. | |
| OTA_ELE413_NOTES_R1 Apr 2026 | SOFTWARE UPDATE | Electrical System | RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR DATA CONNECTIVITY (ELE413 Revision 1) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) logic of certain 2025 - 2026MY Carnival, 2025 - 2026MY K5 and 2025 - 2026MY Sorento vehicles. |
| PSD_REMINDER2_104 Apr 2026 | Structure | IMPORTANT REMINDER: OWNER NOTIFICATION (KA4PSD2) - This document is the owner notification advising Kia's ongoing commitment to providing vehicle owners with a superior ownership experience. | |
| SC363_OWNR_KA4 Apr 2026 | SERVICE CAMPAIGN | Power Train | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC363) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain 2025-2026 MY Carnival vehicles to inspect the oil level plug and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for signs... |
| SC363_TSB Apr 2026 | Power Train | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OIL LEVEL PLUG (OLP) INSPECTION, AND OLP GASKET AND/OR ATF FILLER BOLT REPLACEMENT OR A/T REPLACEMENT (SC363) - This bulletin provides information to inspect the oil level plug and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for... | |
| SC363_DP Apr 2026 | SERVICE CAMPAIGN | Power Train | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC363) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect the oil level plug and automatic transmission fluid (ATF) for signs of leakage and, if... |
| SC363_DPSM Apr 2026 | SERVICE CAMPAIGN | Power Train | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC363) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect the oil level plug and automatic transmission fluid... |
| SC363_QA Apr 2026 | SERVICE CAMPAIGN | Power Train | VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC363) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Service Campaign SC363. |
| TSB_ELE417 Apr 2026 | Electrical System | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. | |
| TSB_ELE413 Mar 2026 | Electrical System | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DCU COMMUNICATION LOGIC IMPROVEMENT - This bulletin provides the procedure to upgrade the Data Connectivity Unit (DCU) system software on some 2025–2026MY vehicles listed in the table below. | |
| PS807 Mar 2026 | Electrical System | PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: CCU FUSE OPEN AFTER WIRING HARNESS REPLACEMENT - This Pitstop provides information regarding a condition on 2022-2026MY Carnival (KA4 and KA4 HEV) vehicles in which the CCU 10A fuse may open and multiple warning lights may illuminate after... | |
| PS798 Jan 2026 | Electrical System | PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: CCRC WITH DTC B281600 (PS798) - This Pitstop provides information regarding DTC B281600 stored on some 2025 - 2026MY Carnival (KA4, KA4 HEV) vehicles equipped with Connected Car Rear Cockpit ‘ccRC’ rear seat entertainment screens. | |
| PSD_REMINDER_103 Dec 2025 | Structure | IMPORTANT REMINDER: CARNIVAL POWER SLIDING DOOR FEATURE: OWNER NOTIFICATION (KA4PSD2 FLIGHT 103) - This document is the owner notification advising Kia's ongoing commitment to providing vehicle owners with a superior ownership experience. | |
| PS797 Dec 2025 | Back Over Prevention | PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. | |
| TSB_ELE403_R1 Nov 2025 | Visibility/Wiper | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: A/C COMPRESSOR REPLACEMENT (SA632) - This bulletin has been revised as a Combination TSB/SA and includes additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. | |
| TSB_ELE403 Nov 2025 | Electrical System | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: A/C COMPRESSOR REPLACEMENT (SA632) - This bulletin provides information to address air conditioning performance issues reported on certain 2025- 2026 model year Carnival (KA4) vehicles produced between December 1, 2024, and June 12,... | |
| PSD_REMINDER2_102 Oct 2025 | Electrical System | IMPORTANT REMINDER: CARNIVAL POWER SLIDING DOOR FEATURE: OWNER NOTIFICATION (KA4PSD2 FLIGHT 102) - This document is the owner notification advising Kia's ongoing commitment to providing Kia Carnival vehicle owners with a superior ownership experience. | |
| PSD_REMINDER2 Jul 2025 | Structure | IMPORTANT REMINDER: CARNIVAL POWER SLIDING DOOR FEATURE: OWNER NOTIFICATION (KA4PSD2) - This document is the owner notification advising Kia's ongoing to providing you with a superior ownership experience, we’d like to remind you about the proper use of the power sliding door... | |
| OTA_SA617 Jun 2025 | SOFTWARE UPDATE | Engine | RELEASE NOTES: OVER-THE-AIR: SERVICE ACTION SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR ELECTRIC WATER PUMP (SA617) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Motor Control Unit (MCU) logic of certain 2025 Carnival vehicles. |
| SC333_STKR Jun 2025 | Engine | SC333_STKR: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN COMPLETION LABEL/STICKER | |
| SC333_OWNR Jun 2025 | Fuel/Propulsion System | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC333) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) on certain 2025 MY... | |
| SC333_DP Jun 2025 | Engine | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC333) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2025 MY Kia Carnival vehicles equipped with 3.5L Gas Direct... | |
| SC333_DPSM Jun 2025 | Engine | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC333) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2025 MY Kia Carnival vehicles... | |
| SC333_POC Jun 2025 | Engine | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: SC333_POC: PROOF OF CORRECTION CARD | |
| SC333_TSB Jun 2025 | Engine | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: ENGINE CONTROL MODULE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC333) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the ‘Engine Control Module’ (ECM) system software on certain 2025MY Carnival (KA4) vehicles equipped with 3.5L GDI Lambda Ⅲ engines produced from... | |
| SC333_QA Jun 2025 | Engine | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC333) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign SC333. | |
| PI2501_TSB Mar 2025 | Seats | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: 2ND -ROW SEAT RAIL COVER INSTALLATION (PI2501) - This bulletin provides information to install new 2nd -row seat rail covers on all 2022-2024MY, and certain 2025MY Carnival (KA4) vehicles manufactured from January 4, 2021... | |
| PI2501_OWNR Mar 2025 | Seats | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (PI2501) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to install covers onto the 2nd row seat rails in all 2022-2024 MY Kia Carnival vehicles and certain 2025 MY... | |
| PI2501_DP Mar 2025 | Seats | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (PI2501) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to install covers onto the 2nd row seat rails in all 2022-2024 MY Kia Carnival... | |
| PI2501_DPSM Mar 2025 | Seats | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (PI2501) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is conducting an important Product Improvement Campaign to install covers onto the 2nd row seat rails in... | |
| PI2501_QA Mar 2025 | Seats | PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (PI2501) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Product Improvement Campaign PI2501. | |
| TSB_ELE341_R4 Mar 2025 | Electrical System | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: COMBINATION TSB/SERVICE ACTION: CCNC – DEALER MODE, FACTORY & NETWORK RESET (SA613) - This bulletin has been revised as a Combination TSB/SA and includes additional information. | |
| TSB_ELE368_R1 Jan 2025 | Electrical System | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT ACTIVATION FAILURE (SA600) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. | |
| TSB_ELE368 Jan 2025 | Electrical System | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT ACTIVATION FAILURE (SA600) - This bulletin provides information to access the ‘Dealer Mode’ function and perform a ‘Reset Network’ on certain 2025MY Multiple Model vehicles listed on page 7 equipped with a Connected Car... | |
| OTA_SA593 Nov 2024 | SOFTWARE UPDATE | Electrical System | OVER-THE-AIR: SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR CENTRAL COMMUNICATION UNIT (SA593) - This Over-the-Air (OTA) software update is designed to update the Central Communication Unit (CCU) logic of certain 2025 Carnival vehicles. |
| TSB_ELE360 Nov 2024 | Electrical System | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: CCU LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA593) - This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Central Communication Unit (CCU) system on certain 2025MY Carnival (KA4) vehicles produced from April 15, 2024 through August 26,... | |
| TSB_ELE341_R3 Oct 2024 | Electrical System | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CCNC – DEALER MODE, FACTORY AND NETWORK RESET - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. | |
| CS2401_TSB Oct 2024 | Structure | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION: DOOR TRIM ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT (CS2401) - This bulletin provides information to replace the front and rear door trim assemblies on certain 2025MY Carnival (KA4) EX, SX, SXP vehicles produced from April 16, 2024 through May 24,... | |
| CS2401_OWNR Oct 2024 | Structure | CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a customer satisfaction campaign to replace the interior door trim color to Tuscan Umber on certain 2025 Kia Carnival vehicles (CS2401). | |
| TSB_ELE341_R2 Sep 2024 | Electrical System | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: CCNC - DEALER MODE, FACTORY AND NETWORK RESET - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. | |
| TSB_TRA046_R4 May 2024 | Power Train | This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced. |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Sit in it with the engine off and test everything that has a switch.Windows, locks, lights, the cluster, the radio. Electrical faults are this vehicle's story and the hardest to see on a drive: an intermittent no-start waits for the second week of ownership. Ask for the battery's age and whether any control module has been replaced.
- Cold-start it yourself and listen for the first thirty seconds.Knocking, ticking that fades as it warms, or blue or white smoke on startup are the sounds of this vehicle's engine cluster. Check the oil level and the coolant color, and ask whether the engine or its head gaskets have ever been out.
- Smell for fuel and watch the first restart when hot.Hard starting when warm, hesitation under load, or any fuel odor near the tank or engine bay match this vehicle's fuel-system cluster. Check the recall table for fuel pump campaigns.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 1 recall campaign on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Kia Carnival →