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Electrical systemPart report

2025 Kia Carnival Electrical system Problems

Complaints
84about this part
Share
67%of 126 total for the year
Median mileage
34,967miles
Trend
Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.

NHTSA recorded 84 complaints about the electrical system of the 2025 Kia Carnival, 67% of the 126 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,967 miles.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“We have been having persistent safety issues with this vehicle. The issues have ranged from unsecured gas cap to loss of power. We’ve also had severe transmission issues where the car will not shift out of first gear. This happened on the Garden State Parkway and nearly caused an accident as the car wasn’t able to go above 27 mph safely.”

NHTSA complaint #11740593, filed 2026-05

“12V battery drains if the car is left unused for more than 3-4 days. Car needs to be jumped to start it up again. The issue occurred in August and I jumped it first time. It started happening again September and had a service appointment with Kia. They hard reset the software but the issue occured again every time I left the car unused for more than 3-4 days.”

NHTSA complaint #11693064, filed 2025-10

“I have a dead brand new car after not driving it for 3 days. And, the dealer is unable to tell me how to get into it because the key fob does not have a physical key in it. This appears to be a slow battery draining issue that is being reported heavily online it appears on Reddit, Facebook and multiple forums related to the 2025 Kia Carnival EX and SXP.”

NHTSA complaint #11606474, filed 2024-08

“I purchased my 25 Carnival on July 8 and by the third week my battery died overnight. I was able to jumpstart the car but since the incidence, I wake up to a dead battery every morning. A lot of Carnival owners (especially SX and SXP) are experiencing similar parasitic battery drain and dealerships are clueless while KIA has refused to acknowledge the problem exist.”

NHTSA complaint #11606526, filed 2024-08

“Brand new 2025 Kia Carnival models are experiencing major electrical failure right off the lot, which is my experience. Kia will not acknowledge the issue but there is parasitic draw issues with the vehicle and mine is rendered unable to drive and dealer service departments won’t accept my vehicle for repair.”

NHTSA complaint #11603952, filed 2024-07

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026827%
20258467%
20241723%
2023612%
20222317%

Other parts of the 2025 Kia Carnival

Other or unknown
22 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsExterior lighting
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaintsLane departure
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2025 Kia Carnival

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology