2025 KIA CARNIVAL Complaints

I am filing this complaint to report a recurring, life-threatening safety defect in my 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid involving the battery and hybrid propulsion system. This defect has occurred twice, and despite dealer repair attempts, it has not been resolved. On both occasions, while the vehicle was in operation, the hybrid system failed without warning. The vehicle displayed a hybrid system failure alert, lost the ability to accelerate normally, and became unable to maintain safe driving speeds. On the most recent occurrence, the sudden and unexpected loss of vehicle power created an immediate risk of collision. The vehicle’s failure while in traffic nearly resulted in a serious crash. I was driving with passengers at the time. The vehicle was taken to an authorized Kia dealership for repair following each incident. The same defect has now recurred after the first repair was completed, demonstrating that the underlying cause has not been identified or corrected. This defect substantially impairs the safety of the vehicle. The sudden loss of hybrid system function and propulsion while driving at road speed creates a direct and serious risk of accident, injury, or death to the vehicle’s occupants and to other drivers on the road. I am a [XXX] resident and am aware that this defect is not isolated to my vehicle. Numerous other 2025 Kia Carnival Hybrid owners have filed similar NHTSA complaints regarding battery failure and sudden loss of acceleration. I urge the NHTSA to open a formal investigation into this defect and to require Kia Motors America to issue a safety recall. I am currently too frightened to operate this vehicle and request urgent attention to this matter. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

We have been having persistent safety issues with this vehicle. The issues have ranged from unsecured gas cap to loss of power. We’ve also had severe transmission issues where the car will not shift out of first gear. This happened on the Garden State Parkway and nearly caused an accident as the car wasn’t able to go above 27 mph safely.

For the third time the 2025 KIA Carnival Prestige I own lost power while driving on the interstate! Without warning, the vehicle would no longer respond to the accelerator pedal. No matter what I did I could not get the vehicle to accelerate past 35 mph. The minimum speed limit on the interstate is 45 mph. I had to immediately engage my hazard lights and make my way over to the shoulder of the road from the passing lane. This was a dangerous situation for me and my family and others on the highway. Warning lights came on, check engine light, charging system, and a maintenance service message. Driving in Sport mode, Smart mode, nor Econo mode could change the negative situation. This took place multiple times during the final leg of my last trip to [XXX] , extending for over 120 miles. This is a very unsafe, unreliable vehicle, that should never be driven on public roadways… especially not highways nor interstates. Three negatively, traumatic experiences is ENOUGH!!! I’m DONE!!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Carnival. the driver seat automatically pushed on the rear passenger driver side seat that had a minor occupant in a child seat. The seat was able to move forward with the seat adjustment buttons. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage 20,000.

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Carnival. The contact received the recall letter for NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V320000 ( NA) The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure.

Passenger sliding door failed to detect my son and closed completely on his arm. The doors will push the kids and don’t detect even adults at times. He now has a buckle fracture that they are concerned is a full fracture in both bone on his forearm. He is [XXX] old. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Carnival. The contact’s daughter stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly lost motive power with no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer. The dealer informed the contact that the battery solenoid needed to be replaced; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,200.

The contact owns a 2025 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving in warm weather, heat from the exhaust pipe could be felt inside the cabin of the vehicle. As a result, the second row floor would become hot and cause discomfort to occupants seated in the second row. Upon investigation, the contact discovered TSB(Technical Service Bulletin) PI2501, which accurately described the failure the contact had experienced. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where they informed the contact that the TSB remedy was performed on the vehicle prior his ownership. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and was given the same information as the dealer. The contact was then given a case number and was then referred to the NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,5000.

Despite being only 18 months old with under 26,000 miles, the vehicle suffered a catastrophic failure with no prior dashboard warnings. While driving at highway speeds, loud cracking noises occurred while the engine was running, though we were able to pull off safely. The incident resulted in a burning smell, fumes, and rapid battery drain; subsequent inspection revealed a sheared tensioner spring and a critical VDCU diagnostic code (P1A7795), indicating a "Check Generator Belt" error and a major hybrid power control system failure.

I am submitting a safety complaint regarding the driver monitoring/driver assistance system in the 2025 Kia Carnival. The system repeatedly issues “take a break” or inattentive driver warnings during normal, attentive driving conditions. These alerts are overly sensitive, frequent, and intrusive. Rather than improving safety, the warnings are highly distracting. The visual and audible alerts demand attention at critical moments, pulling focus away from the road. This creates a counterproductive and potentially hazardous situation, especially in traffic or complex driving environments. There appears to be no reasonable way to adjust the sensitivity or disable these alerts without impacting other safety features. A driver assistance system should support the driver—not introduce additional distraction or frustration. I request that this issue be investigated, including the calibration, trigger thresholds, and user control options for the system. A redesign or update may be necessary to ensure the feature enhances safety instead of undermining it.