VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC290) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to ensure compliance with emissions regulations.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2023 Kia Carnival engine problems
moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Kia Carnival we track for engine problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: LAMBDA-III 3.5L GDI ENGINE DTC P00B7 ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC290) - This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) system on some 2022-2024MY Carnival (KA4) vehicles produced from January 4, 2021 through November 6, 2023. The subject vehicles may have engine calibrations that were not optimized for emissions standards under certain specific conditions, which may cause the vehicle to release air pollution which exceed Federal and California standards. As a result, the subject vehicles may exhibit an illumination of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) with DTC P00B7.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: ECM LOGIC UPDATE FOR DTC P2118 AND THROTTLE BODY FREEZING (SA514) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) system on some 2022-2024MY Carnival (KA4) vehicles produced from January 4, 2021 through November 6, 2023, which may exhibit an MIL "ON" with DTC P2118. The throttle body plate may freeze after a cold soak in very cold temperatures, possibly causing the vehicle to go into "limp-home" mode. Once the vehicle is warmed up, the throttle
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: ECM LOGIC UPDATE FOR DTC P2118 AND THROTTLE BODY FREEZING (SA514) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) system on some 2022-2024MY Carnival (KA4) vehicles produced from January 4, 2021 through October 26, 2022, which may exhibit an MIL "ON" with DTC P2118. The throttle body plate may freeze after a cold soak in very cold temperatures, possibly causing the vehicle to go into "limp-home" mode. Once the vehicle is warmed up, the throttle
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SERVICE ACTION: 3.5L GDI ECM LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SA508) - This bulletin provides the procedure to update the software logic of the Engine Control Module (ECM) on some 2023MY Carnival (KA4) vehicles produced from March 24, 2022 through July 14, 2022, that may experience a temporary, lower than expected engine speed while decelerating or idling, while applying torque converter dampening.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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.
Had engine trouble with your 2023 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 engine problem on the 2023 Kia Carnival?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2023/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.