NHTSA // SAFETY RECORD
2023 Kia Carnival Safety Record
The 2023 Kia Carnival has not been crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. Its federal safety record shows 4 recalls and 46 owner complaints on file.
Updated Oct 1, 2026 from NHTSA data · Reviewed by Ivanna Verstliar
CRASH
DATANot crash-tested
The 2023 Kia Carnival has not undergone federal crash testing, leaving it without an official NHTSA Safety Index score or star ratings. This absence of data does not inherently speak to the vehicle's safety, but other aspects of its record warrant scrutiny. The model year is subject to four recall campaigns, one of which includes a park-outside directive. Furthermore, the Carnival carries a Heavy recall and complaint burden band, with 46 owner-reported complaints on file. This combination of factors suggests a need for careful consideration from prospective buyers.
The 2023 Kia Carnival was not crash-tested by NHTSA, carries four recall campaigns, and falls in the Heavy recall and complaint burden band according to NHTSA federal safety data.
MotorCaliber Safety Desk // NHTSA data, verified Oct 1, 2026
- shoppers who want the full federal safety picture in one place
| NHTSA crash test | Not crash-tested |
|---|---|
| Recall and complaint burden | Heavy |
| Recalls on file | 4 (includes park-outside) |
| Owner complaints | 46 (unverified allegations) |
| Data verified | Oct 1, 2026 |
ANALYSISHow safe is the 2023 Kia Carnival?
Four active recall campaigns and 46 unverified consumer complaints place the 2023 Kia Carnival in the Heavy recall and complaint burden band. The most pressing concern among these is the trailer hitch harness recall, which carries a park-outside directive due to fire risk. This recall is serious enough that Kia advises owners of affected units to avoid indoor parking. Further underscoring the vehicle's safety profile is a fuel system recall, which extends to Carnival models from 2022 through 2026. Within the owner complaints, the structural category accounts for 12 of the 46 reports, a notable concentration when considered alongside the roof molding recall. No specific crash-test data for the 2023 Kia Carnival exists in NHTSA's records, and thus, no Safety Index score can be assigned for this model year. Consumers should be aware that while other model years (2024, 2025, and 2026) have published Safety Index scores of 81, 79, and 77 respectively, these figures do not apply to the 2023 model year.
NHTSA // RECALLSDoes the 2023 Kia Carnival have any recalls?
The 2023 Kia Carnival carries four recall campaigns. Components affected are the fuel system gasoline delivery hoses and fittings, the roof and pillars due to roof molding that may loosen and detach, the power sliding door auto-reverse feature, and trailer hitch wiring. The trailer hitch harness recall carries a park-outside directive, meaning owners with that equipment were advised not to park the vehicle inside a structure.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS26V232000
Risk: A fuel leak increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten, or replace the fuel pipe as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 2, 2026. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC368. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on April 24, 2026.
Reported 2026-04-10
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS24V025000
Risk: A detached roof molding can create a road hazard for other vehicles, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the roof molding and replace or secure it as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 15, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC292.
Reported 2024-01-18
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR23V236000
Risk: A power sliding door that does not auto-reverse can close on an occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will update the power sliding door control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC266.
Reported 2023-03-31
TRAILER HITCHES23V179000
Risk: A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and verify whether the vehicle is equipped with a Genuine Kia accessory trailer tow hitch assembly. If equipped, dealers will install a new fuse and wire extension kit. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 16, 2023. Owners ma
Reported 2023-03-17
NHTSA // COMPLAINTSWhat do owners report about the 2023 Kia Carnival?
Forty-six complaints have been reported to NHTSA for the 2023 Carnival. The top components cited in these unverified allegations are Unknown or Other with 20 reports, Structure with 12, Electrical System with 6, and Engine with 4. Seven of the 46 reports allege injury and one alleges a crash. All figures are unverified consumer allegations, not established facts.
46 owner complaints on file. These are unverified allegations reported to NHTSA.
USED BUYERWhat should used buyers know about the 2023 Kia Carnival?
The 2023 Kia Carnival presents a mixed safety profile based on its federal data. A notable concern for this model year is its four recall campaigns. Any prospective buyer should run the specific VIN at nhtsa.gov to confirm that these recalls have been addressed, as repairs are performed at no cost by authorized dealers.
- The 2023 Kia Carnival has not been crash-tested by NHTSA and holds no Safety Index or star ratings for this model year.
- One of the four 2023 Carnival recalls carries a park-outside directive linked to the trailer hitch harness, indicating a fire-risk concern for affected vehicles equipped with that original-equipment component.
- A fuel system recall covering gasoline delivery hoses and fittings applies to 2022 through 2026 Carnival vehicles, meaning 2023 units fall within that campaign's scope.
- Forty-six unverified complaints have been filed with NHTSA for this model year, with Structure and Electrical System among the most frequently cited components alongside a broad Unknown or Other category.
RANKINGSWhere the 2023 Kia Carnival places
The 2023 Kia Carnival qualifies for these MotorCaliber safety rankings:
FAQ2023 Kia Carnival safety questions
Was the 2023 Kia Carnival crash-tested by NHTSA?
No. NHTSA has not run a New Car Assessment Program crash test on this configuration, so it carries no Safety Index. Its safety record here is built from 4 recalls and 46 owner complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2023 Kia Carnival have?
According to NHTSA recall data, 4 vehicle recalls are on file for the 2023 Kia Carnival, including a park-outside or do-not-drive campaign, which is the most serious class of recall. Confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov to see which apply to your car.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2023 Kia Carnival?
According to NHTSA's complaint database, 46 owner complaints are on file for the 2023 Kia Carnival. These are unverified allegations submitted by owners, not confirmed defects, and include reports involving a crash.
Cross-check this record against independent expert reviews and the live NHTSA database before you buy.
- DATA Pulled directly from NHTSA: the recallsByVehicle and complaintsByVehicle records for the Kia Carnival 2023.
- SCORE This configuration was not crash-tested by NHTSA, so it carries no Safety Index. We report its recall and complaint record only.
- EDITED Written by the MotorCaliber Safety Desk and reviewed for accuracy and plain-language clarity by Ivanna Verstliar, Editor, against the source figures on this page.
- VERIFIED Data last synced Oct 1, 2026. Recalls change; confirm your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. See our corrections policy and disclosure.