Fourth generation (KA4) · first-year watch
2026 Kia Carnival Hybrid, day 315
- 21complaints since Nov 2, 2025
- 1recalls
- 0involved a crash
Newest report Aug 25, 2026 · checked Sep 13, 2026
Changed since July
- 7 new complaints in August, mostly about electrical, transmission and drivetrain and structure.
- Nothing filed yet on sticky steering, transmission failure, engine failure or fire.
- 38th most complaints of the 69 2026 models on this site.
What's been reported
NHTSA's own component codes. One report can cite several.
- Electrical10
- Transmission and drivetrain7
- Speed control5
- Fuel and propulsion5
- Engine4
- Other4
- Collision avoidance2
- Brakes2
Problems so far
- Hybrid or EV system warning, loss of power 9 reports
Recent reports
“Ac compressor has now failed twice and this will be the third compressor they are going to install. The car was completely shutting off at lights and having other electrical errors that they said was all related to the ac system. The part is now on back order with the company”
Filed Aug 25, 2026
“Car will not start after being parked in my garage for 24 to 48 hours. The battery is drained and needs to be jumped. This has happened three times. I am sure that no fob is left in the car, no interior lights are on, no door is ajar, and nothing is plugged into any USB ports.”
Filed Aug 14, 2026
“The floor railings above the battery, that allow the second row seats to slide, get hot. Extremely hot to the touch. Burning my childrenâs feet. Not sure if itâs related but the a/c does not stay cold when driving long distance and the HV battery just died last month for no reason. Brand new car.”
Filed Aug 2, 2026
“Without presenting any errors, the vehicle appears to enter some sort of limp home mode which limits speed to 31mph until the vehicle is turned off and re-started. 31mph is well below the speed limit on most public roads and being limited to this speed with no ability to pull over to stop/start the car creates a significant safety hazard to the driver of the vehicle and other motorists.”
Filed Jan 22, 2026
Recalls
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 display may fail. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 101, "Controls and Displays" and 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring System."
Risk and remedy
Remedy: The instrument panel display software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 26, 2026. Owners may contact Kia Customer Service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC361. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will become searchable on NHTSA.gov on February 9, 2026.
The log
Complaints by the month NHTSA received them, newest first. Dark bars mark a month with a recall or an investigation.