Home · 2023 Kia Carnival Hev · Complaints

What 46 owners told NHTSA about the 2023 Kia Carnival Hev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (46)Crash / fire / injury (8)Body & structure (12)Electrical system (6)Engine (4)Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness (2)Fuel system (2)Lane Departure (2)Latches & locks (2)Seat belts (2)Steering (2)Brakes (1)

4 of 46 complaints match · Engine · clear filters

Jan 21, 2026Engine

Strong fuel smell that comes and goes. Dealership replaced fuel injection related parts after finding a leak. Problem is still present.

NHTSA ODI 11712335

Jul 4, 2024Engine

We drove an hour then sat in the car while it was on for about 30 minutes. The gas tank was 14% full. We started driving again down a bit of a hill & got to a stop light. The car started beeping & said “engine off! Switch to N then start engine” We turned the car off and back on & it started working.

NHTSA ODI 11598816

Jun 13, 2023Electrical systemEngine

Unknown. My vehicle has cut off in the middle of traffic several times. Another incident was when my vehicle was shaking uncontrollably and couldn't go over 40. The check engine light never comes on. One dealership looked at it and said nothing was wrong even though one of the techs heard the vehicle. They said because the check engine light wasn't on that there was nothing that they could do. Took it to the kia dealership in Huntsville. They know something is wrong but because no check engine light or codes. They don't know where the problem is . My main issue is when something is wrong. No lights or codes show up. I haven't had it a year yet. Safety concerns with it cutting off in the middle of traffic .

NHTSA ODI 11526804

Mar 26, 2023Engine

The car keeps shutting of while driving ,the car jerks when accelerating, I press on the gas and sometimes it doesn't accelerate at all .the car windshield cracked, the doors closed on my hands when I was retrieving my coat the doors didn't open back up i had to snatch my hands and arms back. I have a video of car shutting off if you need it

NHTSA ODI 11513801

Working with the data? Download all 46 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2023 Kia Carnival Hev verdict →