Model year
2026 Kia Carnival
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 28 complaints for the 2026 Kia Carnival (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 1 recall and 25 complaints under CARNIVAL HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are UNKNOWN OR OTHER (13), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7), POWER TRAIN (4). NHTSA rated 2 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 21–32 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,100–$3,200, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2022 136 complaints
- 2023 52 complaints
- 2024 75 complaints
- 2025 126 complaints
- 2026 28 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
26V232000 · Apr 10, 2026
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
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.
26V046000 · Jan 26, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2025 Kia K4, 2025-2026 Sorento, Sorento Hybrid, Sorento Plug-In Hybrid Electric (PHEV), 2026 Sportage, Sportage Hybrid, Sportage PHEV, K5, EV9, Carnival, and Carnival Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the instrument panel…
Complaints
28 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 3, fire flag on 0, injury field 5, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| CARNIVAL HYBRID | 1 | 25 |
Investigations
No investigations are matched to this name.
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HYBRID PV HEV FWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.14 | NHTSA photo |
| PV N/A FWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.14 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carnival · 3.5L · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 18 | 25 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Carnival Hybrid · 1.6L · Automatic (AM-S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 34 | 31 | 32 | — | — | $2,100 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2026 Kia Carnival at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.