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KLUNK
KLUNK

2024 Kia Carnival

The Verdict

83 Smooth Ride

The 2024 Kia Carnival has 64 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (34 complaints) and electrical (17 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 83/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Kia Carnival, consider the 2023 model year which has 28% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2023 has 28% fewer complaints

View the 2023 Kia Carnival dashboard →

83

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
202280220254
2023331570
202434217101
202528071192

By Category

Body
34
Electrical
17
Engine
10
Brakes
2
Transmission
1

By Severity

1
26
2
29
3
7
4
2

Worst Problems

Complaints

Brakes 1

While stopped, the brake pedal drops to the floor and the vehicle begins to roll forward. I went to the dealership and told them what happened, they told me there is no recall on this, and it is a "normal part of driving". This is not a normal part of any braking system. The pedal should not drop to the floor while stopped with your foot on the pedal. No warning system lights that came on. This happens frequently. You have to start pumping the brake repeatedly to get the vehicle to stop. It will eventually raise off the floor.

10d ago
Body 3

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while her husband was loading the child into the car seat. The rear button for the door was depressed by the child. The husband became stuck in between the sliding doors. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact sustained injuries to his previously injured rotary cuff, but medical attention was not provided. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 35,815.

2mo ago
Transmission 1

I purchased this 2024 Kia Carnival on 2/7/2026 with less than 10K miles. The vehicle has died while I was driving 4 different times. Twice each day that it happened. The first time was on 4/7/26. My car died on the way home from getting my kids from school after fixing a flat tire. The check engine light came on after getting a jump and when I took it to Auto Zone the battery was fully charged and the codes were for the Power Train, which didn't make sense for a brand new car. Miracle Mart told me that Kia needed to be utilized for any issues because I purchased the vehicle as is. Their solution was to tighten the "loose cables". On 4/25/26 the car died again two more times. Something is terribly wrong with this car.

2mo ago
Engine 2

Our 2024 Carnival has had a recurring engine oil leak that has required the vehicle to be left at the dealership 4 times for the same issue. Each time we get the van back the repair lasts about 1-3 weeks (depending on how often it's driven). Oil continues to leak from the engine area, creating risk of engine damage or a potential fire hazard if oil contacts hot components. The issue has not been resolved despite repeated repair attempts under warranty. The Carnival has 38,092 miles on it, and has been in the repair shop over 4 times. The 1st time it was put in the shop the van has 34,420 miles on it. Each time it has been left at the dealership for 9 - 17 days while the repairs were made. We have brought it to the same dealership each time and they have been very sympathetic and helpful. Not only does this issue cause the risks mentioned above, but it has ruined the concrete in my garage as well as added oil to the roadway which could cause an accident. I have all the repair orders from the first 3 repairs that I will attach. However I do not have thee current one because the vehicle is currently being repaired for the 4th time and I haven't received the finalized repair order documents. I can update this claim once the repairs are completed. I will be contacting Kia tomorrow and wanted to have a claim number started.

2mo ago
Engine 2

The fuel pipe in my 2024 Kia Carnival has been identified by Kia as part of Safety Recall SC368 due to a fire risk. The component is available for inspection at the dealership where the vehicle is currently located. My safety and the safety of my family — including young children in car seats — was put at risk because the vehicle carries a known fire hazard related to the fuel pipe, yet no remedy is available until June 2026 at the earliest, according to Kia Customer Care. Kia confirmed the recall and the fire risk but has not provided adequate alternative transportation, leaving a family with young children without a safe vehicle for an extended period. The problem has been confirmed by Kia Customer Care, who verified that my vehicle is included in recall SC368. The dealership also confirmed the recall exists but stated the remedy is not yet available. However, when I contacted NHTSA by phone to file a complaint, the representative stated they could not find my vehicle in their recall database, directly contradicting Kia's confirmation. This discrepancy between Kia's internal records and NHTSA's database is concerning and may prevent other affected owners from being aware of the safety risk. The vehicle has been surrendered to the dealership via tow due to the fire risk. It has not yet been inspected or diagnosed by the dealership service department. I have requested written confirmation that the vehicle is safe to drive before accepting it back. I was notified via a CARFAX alert and the risk was identified/confirmed by the manufacturer.

3mo ago
Engine 2

I reported a fuel smell in the cabin of my vehicle in June 2024. It was dismissed because they could not recreate the smell. I reported it again and they said that is just how the vehicle purges fuel. I reported it again and drove it right to the dealer when it smelled and multiple mechanics at KIA confirmed they smelled it. Reported it again in September 2024, then tried to deal with it, and reported it again in June and July 2025. In July they confirmed I had raw fuel in my evaporator canister. I also had misfire notifications on my dashboard which were dismissed as they could not determine where the misfire was coming from. The misfire stopped after they replaced my fuel canister but the smell never fully went away. I received an email follow up in July 2025 and I reported the smell was not as strong, but still occurring intermittently. They closed the case. I reported and had 2 open cases with KIA, and noted that I was feeling lightheaded and nauseous, as well as 2 of my 3 kids at the time.

3mo ago
Engine 2

My Kia vehicle has an ongoing engine oil leak that has not been properly repaired under warranty. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Kia dealership for diagnosis and repair of the oil leak. I was informed by the dealership that Kia engineers indicated that in similar situations the typical resolution is engine replacement. However, in my case, the dealership was instructed to attempt sealing the oil pan instead of replacing the engine. I was advised that if this repair did not resolve the issue, I could bring the vehicle back for further service. Unfortunately, the oil warning light has now returned on the dashboard, indicating the issue persists and the repair attempt was not successful. An unresolved engine oil leak presents a serious safety concern because loss of engine oil can lead to engine damage, stalling, or failure while driving. This creates a risk of unsafe driving conditions, especially when transporting passengers. My family relies on this vehicle for daily transportation, and the continued presence of the warning light makes the vehicle unreliable and concerning from a safety standpoint. In addition, the dealership has not provided a suitable loaner or rental vehicle large enough to accommodate my family while the vehicle is undergoing repair. This has created significant hardship as we do not currently have reliable transportation. The manufacturer should correct this defect properly and ensure the vehicle is safe to operate rather than attempt temporary or experimental repairs that do not resolve the root cause. The persistence of the oil leak after warranty repair raises concerns about the reliability and safety of the engine. I am submitting this complaint to document a potential engine defect that may pose a safety risk if engine oil loss leads to engine failure while the vehicle is in operation.

3mo ago
Engine 2

"Continuous engine oil leak for 12 months. After 4 failed repair attempts, the dealer used liquid sealer instead of a gasket. This is a deceptive repair that creates a severe fire hazard. The leak is still active today, March 2026."

3mo ago
Body 2

The horn stops working when it’s cold and the horn installed does not match the amperage need for the vehicle. It has failed multiple times. I rarely use my horn. It failed for the first time around 20,000 miles. Separately, I have an oil leak that is also covered under warranty. This car has been serviced countless times and it has been in the shop for three weeks.

3mo ago
Electrical 2

Driver side passenger back sliding door will not open or close properly. Door will jam and make a loud noise or will not open when trying to open. Took it the dealership 4 times they replaced the motor but the issue continues.

4mo ago
Electrical 1

Horn stops working and needs to be replaced within a year or less. I reported the first time my horn stopped working and it took 4 months until I can have an appointment and order the part. The second time it stopped working was within a year and scheduling an appointment was difficult. I was almost in an accident and unable to use to both to alert the other driver.

5mo ago
Electrical 1

Horns (high and low) have been replaced 5 times under a warranty. This is a serious safety hazard. Vehicle: Kia Carnival (Model Years 2022–2024) Issue: Repeated horn failure / electrical malfunction Owners of 2022–2024 Kia Carnival vehicles are experiencing repeated horn failures that present a safety concern. Reported symptoms include complete loss of horn function, intermittent operation, delayed response, and in some cases random horn or alarm activation without driver input. When the failure occurs, both the high-pitch and low-pitch horns are often found to be inoperative. Many owners report that dealerships replace both horns, sometimes multiple times, with some vehicles requiring second or third replacements. Kia has acknowledged this issue through a Technical Service Bulletin (ELE-263), which instructs dealers to replace both horns when one fails; however, the bulletin does not identify a permanent root cause or corrective design change. As a result, the issue frequently recurs after replacement. A non-functional or intermittent horn significantly reduces the driver’s ability to warn other road users and avoid collisions, creating a clear safety risk. Given the recurring nature of the failure across multiple model years, this appears to be a systemic defect rather than isolated component wear.

5mo ago
Electrical 1

Due to cables being lined in soy in attracts rodents which cause damage to the car. Multiple electric malfunctions from power lift gate to automatic windows. It is a known issue and is very common.

5mo ago
Engine 1

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. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

6mo ago
Body 3

On 11/12, my 2024 Kia Carnival was parked as my children were getting settled in the vehicle. My son lifted the second-row passenger seat on the passenger side using the handle provided to access the third row. As he did so, the seatback suddenly collapsed forward with unexpected speed and force and locked in the forward position. Nothing broke, and the mechanism did not appear to jam. The seat moved along its normal path, but it did so so aggressively that it crushed my [XXX] daughter’s left leg while she was strapped into her car seat directly next to it. She was asleep, the car was not moving, and the seat feature was being used in a normal way to access the third row. The force of the collapsing seat fractured her left tibia, confirmed by X-ray. She is currently in a medical boot and under a doctor’s care. This vehicle has no accident history and no modifications. We have multiple witnesses (myself and our children), photos of the injury, and a video that shows how fast and forcefully the seat folds. This presents a serious safety risk in a family vehicle where children commonly sit behind folding second-row seats. A seat access mechanism should not be capable of moving with enough force to break a toddler’s bone in a parked vehicle. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this seat design and its operation in the 2024 Kia Carnival. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

7mo ago
Engine 3

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal gas odor would emit through the vehicle's ventilation system. The contact notified a local dealer, and an appointment was made to have the vehicle serviced. The vehicle was inspected, and the contact was informed that there was likely bacteria growing inside the vehicle, which caused the odor. The contact disputed this claim and recommended that the air filters be replaced; the contact paid for the repair. Despite the repair, the contact stated that the fuel odor had become a chemical odor, and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer. The dealer confirmed that they had smelled a fuel odor inside the vehicle and informed the contact that she had overfilled her fuel tank with gas. While the contact also disputed this claim, the dealer later concluded that the dipstick inside the oil pan was not properly sealed, and the dealer repaired the defect. Despite the dealer's claims and repairs, the fuel odor had become stronger. The contact stated that the odor had become so severe that she went to the emergency room to be treated for nausea and lightheadedness. The contact was given medication for her symptoms. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact was given a case number. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

8mo ago
Body 2

Both horns went bad on my vehicle that is less than 2 years old. Dealership said ours is the 5th vehicle they have seen this week with the same issue. They have been unable to determine a cause.

9mo ago
Body 2

Rearview camera not available and car is operational when car is processing an over the air update.

9mo ago
Engine 1

I am submitting this complaint regarding my Kia Carnival. The vehicle has a recurring and dangerous problem where the engine suddenly jumps and, if I continue pressing the gas, it shuts off while driving. This has happened multiple times, including in the middle of the highway, creating a serious safety risk for myself, my passengers, and other drivers. I have taken the vehicle to a Kia dealership on multiple occasions, but they have not been able to identify or repair the issue. I also contacted Kia corporate, obtained a case number, and was told someone would follow up with me. Unfortunately, no one has ever called me back. This is an ongoing and unresolved defect that puts my family and the public in danger. I request that the NHTSA investigate this matter to determine if this is part of a larger safety defect in Kia Carnival vehicles. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) Kia case number XXX

9mo ago
Body 1

The contact owns a 2024 Kia Carnival. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V025000 (Structure). The contact stated that the driver's side roof molding was detaching, and the contact attempted to secure the molding in place several times. The dealer was contacted to schedule an appointment for the recall repair, but the dealer informed the contact that the recall repair had already been performed while the vehicle was at the dealer for an unrelated service, a month prior. The contact stated that the dealer had failed to perform the recall repair correctly because the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed; however, no assistance was provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

9mo ago

64 total

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