IllustrationThe battery on this car drains despite standard operation. Battery replacements do not work and it must be jumped. Some programming aspect clearly is wrong and drains the battery when not in use. It needs to be fixed asap for safety and to avoid stranding.
2025 Kia Carnival
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Carnival years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 6 of 124 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports0 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
124 reportsAfter day or two purchasing the car, I started getting notifications at the car battery was low eventually after two weeks it completely died, and I was locked out with no way to enter the car because they no longer provide a manual key in the key fob. Multiple chargers and charging with another car for hours with no luck to get…
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After day or two purchasing the car, I started getting notifications at the car battery was low eventually after two weeks it completely died, and I was locked out with no way to enter the car because they no longer provide a manual key in the key fob. Multiple chargers and charging with another car for hours with no luck to get the car back up once I finally did get the car open. Seems like the dealerships themselves are aware of this issue and they have no way of fixing it. They keep playing games and making circles about how they’re escalating they’re doing they’re doing that and they have not provided me with a loaner.
My bran new 2025 with 3,000 miles has a completely dead battery. The Kia roadside assistance person was unable to jump start it.
Battery inexplicably drains to death. I purchased the vehicle new and, within 5 days, had battery failure. The first sign of the issue is the inability to utilize remote commands via the Kia app, receiving a message that the vehicle's battery is at a low charge of <40%. Without intervention, the battery will then drain to dea…
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Battery inexplicably drains to death. I purchased the vehicle new and, within 5 days, had battery failure. The first sign of the issue is the inability to utilize remote commands via the Kia app, receiving a message that the vehicle's battery is at a low charge of <40%. Without intervention, the battery will then drain to death.
Brand New 2025 KIA Carnival SX model - experiencing major electrical failure within the first month (around 800 miles). There's a battery negative draw issue, and the car battery will die completely within 3 days, if not driven. Had to jump-start the car 4 times within the first month. One of the incidents had me stuck right i…
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Brand New 2025 KIA Carnival SX model - experiencing major electrical failure within the first month (around 800 miles). There's a battery negative draw issue, and the car battery will die completely within 3 days, if not driven. Had to jump-start the car 4 times within the first month. One of the incidents had me stuck right in the middle of the road - When the battery is low, turning on the AC will result electrical system flickering, and then shutting the car down entirely. The dealership acknowledges the issue but stated no solution has been found yet.
Battery randomly died in the car overnight
Battery drain which results in vehicle not starting. There have been a series of events that ended in my Carnival not starting. Purchased new on July 6, 2024. Picked up from to Dealership July 8, 2024 and drove home. The below events started Aug 2, 2024 1. Side mirrors didn’t “wake up” when I approached with key fob 2. Truck…
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Battery drain which results in vehicle not starting. There have been a series of events that ended in my Carnival not starting. Purchased new on July 6, 2024. Picked up from to Dealership July 8, 2024 and drove home. The below events started Aug 2, 2024 1. Side mirrors didn’t “wake up” when I approached with key fob 2. Truck wouldn’t close (had to manually pull shut) 3. Received app notification when attempting to lock doors through app that battery was less than 40% 4. Received dashboard warning when attempting to start 5. Lights remained on for a few seconds after attempting to start 6. Vehicle wouldn’t start 7. Turn signal - Action required via app 8. Towed to Dealership 8/5/2025 a vehicle would not start
As noted my many drivers in the Kia forum, I bought a 2025 Kia Carnival SX prestige only have a dead battery 2 week into ownership.
I've owned my new car for less than two weeks and already my car has a dead battery. I did not leave any lights on or doors opened.
Battery drain and dead battery when parked overnight.
Official recalls
126V232000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Apr 10, 2026
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2026 Carnival vehicles. Fuel may leak at the pipe connection between the fuel pipe and fuel rail.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.