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 bought September 2021. Handling its 3rd winter in the state we got it.
2022 Kia Carnival visibility problems
moderate 17 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of the 2022 Kia Carnival report a consistent pattern of windshield failures within the first 18 months of ownership. The core complaint is that the windshield glass appears weak and susceptible to cracking from very minor impacts (small pebbles, rocks) or spontaneously with no impact at all. When cracks do appear, they spread rapidly—doubling in size within days or growing from 10 inches to 24 inches in a single day. Several owners have needed multiple windshield replacements (up to three in 18 months), and some report cracks originating from barely-visible chips at the glass edge, spreading without further provocation. One owner notes the windshield scratches easily during normal wiper use, degrading visibility.
Owners also report rear side windows shattering spontaneously while driving or parked, producing loud sounds with no documented impact. One replacement windshield became intermittently incompatible with the Forward Collision Avoidance system after recalibration. Owners consistently state they have never experienced this frequency of glass failure in other vehicles. OEM replacement glass carries 3+ month lead times, leaving owners unable to address the issue promptly and raising safety concerns about visibility and structural integrity while driving.
Failure modes owners describe
Windshield spontaneous cracking and failure
Multiple owners report windshields developing large cracks (8-24 inches) either without any impact event or from very minor impacts (small pebbles, rocks), with cracks spreading rapidly across the glass. Some cracks appear spontaneously while the vehicle is parked. Owners consistently describe the glass as weak, susceptible to cracking, and spreading much faster than experienced in other vehicles.
When: Throughout ownership (7 months to 18 months after purchase); some occur within first year (complaints filed from 2021–2022 onward)
Symptoms owners cite: Large cracks (8-24 inches) appearing in windshield from minor impacts; Spontaneous cracking with no visible impact or debris; Rapid crack propagation (doubling in size within days, or growing from 10 inches to 24 inches in one day); Cracks originating from small chips barely visible from inside the car; Multiple separate cracking incidents in same vehicle (two to three replacements in 18 months); Windshield scratches easily from wiper use and light debris; Cracks in driver's line of sight affecting visibility and causing sun glare
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report long lead times (3+ months) for OEM replacement windshields; aftermarket replacement available but owners concerned about durability. One owner waited 49 days for windshield components.
Rear side window spontaneous shattering
At least two owners report passenger-side rear windows spontaneously shattering or popping while driving at low speed (15 MPH) or parked. One owner reports the rear passenger window busted from the bottom with only the top half remaining, producing a loud sound. No clear impact event documented.
When: Early ownership (one at approximately 3,000 miles); one during third winter of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger-side rear window spontaneously shattered while driving; Window busted from bottom with explosive sound; No warning lights or indicators; Owners report awareness of issue via Facebook groups citing similar failures in other 2022 Carnivals
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer informed one owner that an object had struck the window; however, owner did not confirm impact. Repairs completed but no details on replacement part quality.
Forward Collision Avoidance system inoperability (post-windshield replacement)
One owner reports that after windshield replacement and recalibration, the Forward Collision Avoidance system became intermittently inoperable. Another owner separately reports adaptive cruise control failing due to radar blockage, though this may or may not be related to windshield issues.
When: After windshield replacement and recalibration; at approximately 20,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Forward Collision Avoidance system intermittently inoperable after windshield replacement; Adaptive cruise control failure with 'radar blocked' messages; No visible dirt, bugs, or blockage on cameras/sensors
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
I have owned this 2022 Kia Carnival for about a year and half. Since owning this vehicle the front windshield glass has mysteriously gotten two separate cracks causing me to have to replace this glass twice. Initially when the cracks appear they are already 3-5 inches in length and continue to spread across the entire length of the glass without provocation. The glass seems to be pretty…
Had visibility trouble with your 2022 Kia Carnival?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the visibility problem on the 2022 Kia Carnival?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 17 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Based on the 17 complaints filed, visibility issues most often appear around 11,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2022/Kia/Carnival.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.