2025 KIA Carnival problems
Owners have filed 167 complaints about the 2025 KIA Carnival with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 49.1% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of engine at 9%.
Complaints167
Crashes0
Fires0
Injuries7
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 49.1% · 82
Unknown or other 11.4% · 19
Engine 9.0% · 15
Fuel/propulsion system 4.8% · 8
Forward collision avoidance 3.0% · 5
Exterior lighting 3.0% · 5
Seats 3.0% · 5
Power train 3.0% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 7 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 27,483 miles.
In owners' own words
Our 2025 SX Prestiege was purchased on a Saturday afternoon and by the following Tuesday morning we had a low battery alert (below 40%). Our local Kia dealers are of no help as this appears to be a common issue that is related to something they are unable to diagnose. I have been placing my battery on a charger every night so we can still use the vehicle but every day the battery is low and requires this charge. Electrical system
Purchased brand new, went home to put car seats in and that's when we discovered the rear sliding door did not lock. Took the vehicle in on the 7th, took until the 23rd for it to be "fixed". Picked up the vehicle came home and the car now does not lock again. Kia customer care team has been little to no help and it was suppose to be escalated to the Kia escalation team but we have yet to hear from them. Electrical system
I purchased my 25 Carnival on July 8 and by the third week my battery died overnight. I was able to jumpstart the car but since the incidence, I wake up to a dead battery every morning. A lot of Carnival owners (especially SX and SXP) are experiencing similar parasitic battery drain and dealerships are clueless while KIA has refused to acknowledge the problem exist. Electrical system
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…