AI Damage2024 KIA Carnival: common problems
Owners of the 2024 KIA Carnival filed 75 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 59 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 75
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 59
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 23% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 4 Seats 8% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 8% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 8% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 4% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 4% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 17 complaints (23% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 23.
- Engine: 8 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Steering: 7 complaints (9% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Seats: 6 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Structure: 6 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 75 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 17 | 0 | 23 |
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 9 |
| Steering | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 6 | 0 | 20 |
| Structure | 6 | 0 | 17 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Car hit a ditch at over 40MPH and rolled over on its side and no airbags deployed
Driver was approaching the end of [XXX] and attempted to turn left onto the ramp to [XXX] but without prior warning the brakes and the steering wheel failed and he couldn’t turn or stop the car which resulted in the vehicle hitting the guardrail. The driver endured injuries on his hand, and overall emotional trauma.
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 smell gets worse at idle, worse the longer I drive, and seems even stronger with the A/C on. Two dealerships in Las Vegas have told me this is “normal.” Meanwhile, I can’t park it in my garage because the smell fills my house.
A vacuum-assist test (pump pedal engine off, hold, start engine) showed the pedal sinking only slightly, and braking under drive felt like engine-off braking — partial or total loss of power assist. Kia Roadside Assistance towed the vehicle to Plaza Kia. Plaza Kia refused to tow it themselves.
On our 2024 KIA Carnival, which my wife is the primary driver, the blind spot warning on the passenger side does not work all the time. Driver side is 100% okay. She drives on I40 and hwy111 to and from work daily, and when passing on the left, she looks for the red triangle to let her know it is clear to get back in…
More details: My vehicle underwent a safety recall for a fuel leak/fire risk. Following that repair, I developed a strong gasoline odor. [dealer] dealer has now identified a separate fuel-system problem that requires replacement of multiple components, including the fuel tank.
The fumes then go into the cabin of the car and smell and make passengers sick as well as create a fire safety hazard on the vehicle. After discovering this they have informed me that the parts for this defect as well as the fuel pipe recall are on national backorder and the solution was to siphon off 1/4 tank of…
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 698 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 33% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Carnival has 65 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 75, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Seats. Occupant sensor, power adjustment, seat mounts.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
HORN ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY048) - This bulletin provides information associated with the Warranty Extension Program (WTY048) to inspect and, if necessary, replace both the high-pitch and low-pitch horn…
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
QUESTION AND ANSWER (WTY048) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Warranty Extension Campaign WTY048.
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY048) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the horn assembly in certain…
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (WTY048) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for…
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY048) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is s extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the horn…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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.
- 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)…
- 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…
- 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…
- 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…
NHTSA lists 59 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2024 KIA Carnival?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, steering. Total complaints: 75. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (16%), smoke, burning smell, fire (11%), A/C or heater (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2024 KIA Carnival?
NHTSA lists 59 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2024 KIA Carnival from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2024 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.