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ProblemsByVin File / 2022-KIA-CARNIVAL NHTSA data synced 17 hours ago
2022 · Kia

Kia Carnival problems

131 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

2022 Kia Carnival
Photo: MercurySable99 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 · representative photo of the Kia Carnival
0 5 10
Reliability score
7.2 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2022 Carnival?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

Buying a used 2022 Kia Carnival? Check these first

Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.

What to inspect on this specific car

⚠ The one to take seriously: body is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 11,522 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.

We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2022 Kia Carnival

A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.

Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.

Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.

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<iframe src="https://problemsbyvin.com/embed/reliability/2022-kia-carnival/" width="100%" height="340" style="border:1px solid #e2e8f0;border-radius:8px;max-width:640px" title="2022 Kia Carnival reliability snapshot" loading="lazy"></iframe> <p style="font:12px/1.5 system-ui,sans-serif;color:#64748b;max-width:640px;margin:6px 0 0">Source: <a href="https://problemsbyvin.com/2022-kia-carnival/" style="color:#b8540a;font-weight:600">2022 Kia Carnival reliability snapshot — ProblemsByVin</a></p>

Top trouble spots 6 categories with 3+ complaints

body
28 reports · fails ~11,522 mi · avg $1,500
severe
electrical
22 reports · fails ~44,500 mi · avg $850
severe
visibility
17 reports · fails ~11,500 mi · avg $350
moderate
engine
8 reports · fails ~7,500 mi · avg $3,100
severe
powertrain
7 reports · fails ~1,872 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
3 reports · avg $700
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2022 Carnival's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2022 Carnival?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2022 Carnival · engine
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the horn and the sliding sensor for the doors on the vehicle failed to work as needed. The…
12/30/2022 · at 13,125 mi · NHTSA ODI #11499548.0 · see engine pattern →
2022 Carnival · powertrain
1. When accelerating (while driving on ECO Mode) the vehicle starts to shudder at times. When using Normal Mode, the vehicle will shudder while the brake pedal is being used at a red light. Front windshield cracks easily and paint easily chips with no sign of rocks hitting the…
2022 Carnival · electrical
Fuel door will not open, there is no manual override, vehicle cannot be refueled and since there is no emergency release it caused me to be stranded at a gas station at night with my 4 kids which is a huge safety concern and should be taken seriously as this is a safety and…
2022 Carnival · visibility
The rear side passenger window busted from the bottom. Only top half of window remained while driving down the road. No warnings. I only knew this was possible with car due to Facebook group and others having this happen to them. Big bomb sound no one else on road car is 2022…
View all 131 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2022 Kia Carnival? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 21V277000 April 21, 2021

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Carnival vehicles

A damaged fuel rail tube may leak fuel, increasing the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 21V908000 November 19, 2021

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Carnival vehicles

A power sliding door that fails to latch may open while moving, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2022 Kia Carnival reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 131 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2022 Kia Carnival is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2022 Kia Carnival?

The 2022 Kia Carnival is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Body: 28 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What should I check before buying a used 2022 Kia Carnival?

Inspect the body first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 28 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 11,522 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.

Is the 2022 Kia Carnival a good used car to buy?

It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 131 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is body. Typical failure occurs around 11,522 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.

What's the most common problem on the 2022 Kia Carnival?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is body, with 28 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 11,522 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The body is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 11,522 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Kia Carnival has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2022 Kia Carnival?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 131 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 17 hours ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/Kia/Carnival. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Kia. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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