2025 Kia Carnival Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 4%of 126 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Too newThis model year is less than 4 years old, so a trend is not meaningful yet.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2025 Kia Carnival, 4% of the 126 complaints for this model year.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The car doesn't start after overnight, or after a period of no usage for a certain time. Push button doesn't start the engine, it takes 25-30 attempts to get it started. It keeps happening almost every day.”
NHTSA complaint #11673961, filed 2025-07“I'm getting an alert in the car app that says low battery and will not perform any lock/unlock/start, etc features. It says the battery level is under 40%.”
NHTSA complaint #11623349, filed 2024-11“Vehicle Malfunction Report What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The vehicle's transmission and/or gear shifter system has failed to function as intended. When the gear shifter is set to Reverse, the transmission has repeatedly shifted into Drive or Neutral instead. Concurrently, the vehicle's electronic backup camera system and audible sensor beep activate, indicating that the vehicle believes it is in reverse. The van is available for inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? …”
NHTSA complaint #11685082, filed 2025-09Related service bulletins
- 11031890Apr 17, 2026TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OIL LEVEL PLUG (OLP) INSPECTION, AND OLP GASKET AND/OR ATF FILLER BOLT REPLACEMENT OR A/T REPLACEMENT (SC363) - This…
- 11031885Apr 17, 2026VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC363) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain 2025-2026…
- 11031856Apr 15, 2026VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC363) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is…
- 11031855Apr 15, 2026VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC363) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Service…
- 11031889Apr 14, 2026VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC363) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary…
- 11000787May 16, 2024This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
Other parts of the 2025 Kia Carnival
84 complaintsOther or unknown
22 complaintsEngine
15 complaintsFuel system
10 complaintsExterior lighting
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 31, 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