Kia Carnival
The Kia Carnival is a seven-seat MPV that entered production in 1998, powered by a 2.752-litre five-cylinder petrol engine generating 134 kW. Measuring 4,823 mm in length and weighing 2,110 kg, it can achieve a top speed of 194 km/h. The model has been subject to one recall in EU Safety Gate and 15 recalls in the NHTSA system.
| Manufacturer | Kia |
|---|---|
| Production | From 1998 |
| Body type | MPV |
| Fuel | Petrol |
| Kerb weight | 1,985 kg |
| Displacement | 2,712 cc |
| Cylinders | 6 |
| Top speed | 194 km/h |
| Drivetrain | Front-wheel drive |
| Fuel economy (comb.) | 10.9 l/100 km |
| Length | 4,810 mm |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,990 mm |
| Height | 1,820 mm |
| Seats | 7 |
| Doors | 4 |
Engine variants
Different engine versions of the Kia Carnival (from registration data). 4 variants.
| Engine | Fuel | Transmission | Top speed | Economy | Model year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 l · 6-cyl | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2.7 l · 6-cyl | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2.9 l · 4-cyl | – | – | 194 km/h | – | – |
| 2.9 l · 4-cyl | – | – | 177 km/h | – | – |
Source: RDW (NL). European engine variants.
Other Kia models
Similar MPV models
Common problems & reliability
US owners have filed 443 complaints for the Kia Carnival, most often about electrical system, unknown or other, structure, engine. These are owner-reported issues, useful for spotting recurring weaknesses before you buy.
Based on real owner complaints and inspection data — not an editorial rating. Sources: NHTSA (US, public domain).
Recalls & safety
1 recall recorded in the EU Safety Gate (European market) and 13 in the US-market NHTSA database for the Kia Carnival. Recalls can flag known weaknesses of the model.
- Passenger carEU · Safety Gate (Poland)
Due to corrosion, the safety catch for the bonnet might not work correctly. There is consequently a risk that the bonnet may open while the car is being driven.
EU Safety Gate · alerted 2016-09-02
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSUS · NHTSAModel year 2025
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC368. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 24, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V232000 · reported 10/04/2026
- STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARSUS · NHTSAModel year 2024
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.
NHTSA campaign 24V025000 · reported 18/01/2024
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSUS · NHTSAModel year 2024
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC368. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 24, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V232000 · reported 10/04/2026
- STRUCTURE:BODY:DOORUS · NHTSAModel year 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling all 2022 and certain 2023 Carnival vehicles. The auto-reverse feature for the power sliding doors (PSD) may not activate in all situations.
Remedy: Dealers will update the power sliding door control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC266.
NHTSA campaign 23V236000 · reported 31/03/2023
- STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARSUS · NHTSAModel year 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.
NHTSA campaign 24V025000 · reported 18/01/2024
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSUS · NHTSAModel year 2023
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC368. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 24, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V232000 · reported 10/04/2026
- TRAILER HITCHESUS · NHTSAModel year 2023
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Carnival vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and verify whether the vehicle is equipped with a Genuine Kia accessory trailer tow hitch assembly. If equipped, dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC265.
NHTSA campaign 23V179000 · reported 17/03/2023
- LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:ELECTRONIC LOCK/LATCH ACTUATORUS · NHTSAModel year 2022
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Carnival vehicles. The remote controller assembly for the passenger-side power sliding door may malfunction, preventing the passenger-side sliding door from securely latching.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the passenger-side power sliding door release actuator's drum and holder inside the remote controller assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC221.
NHTSA campaign 21V908000 · reported 19/11/2021
- TRAILER HITCHESUS · NHTSAModel year 2022
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Carnival vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board (PCB) may cause an electrical short, which can result in a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and verify whether the vehicle is equipped with a Genuine Kia accessory trailer tow hitch assembly. If equipped, dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC265.
NHTSA campaign 23V179000 · reported 17/03/2023
- STRUCTURE:BODY:DOORUS · NHTSAModel year 2022
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling all 2022 and certain 2023 Carnival vehicles. The auto-reverse feature for the power sliding doors (PSD) may not activate in all situations.
Remedy: Dealers will update the power sliding door control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC266.
NHTSA campaign 23V236000 · reported 31/03/2023
- STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARSUS · NHTSAModel year 2022
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Sportage and 2022-2024 Carnival vehicles. The roof molding may loosen and detach.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.
NHTSA campaign 24V025000 · reported 18/01/2024
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSUS · NHTSAModel year 2022
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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC368. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 24, 2026.
NHTSA campaign 26V232000 · reported 10/04/2026
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAILUS · NHTSAModel year 2022
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Carnival vehicles. The plastic fuel rail tube may have been damaged.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the multi-port injection fuel rail, free of charge. The recall began April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC211.
NHTSA campaign 21V277000 · reported 21/04/2021
Sources: EU Safety Gate (European market) and NHTSA (US market). See all Kia recalls.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the top speed of the Kia Carnival?
- The Kia Carnival has a rated top speed of 194 km/h.
- What are the dimensions of the Kia Carnival?
- The Kia Carnival is 4,810 mm long, 1,990 mm wide and 1,820 mm tall.
- How much does the Kia Carnival weigh?
- The Kia Carnival has a kerb weight of about 1,985 kg.
- How many seats does the Kia Carnival have?
- The Kia Carnival has 7 seats.