Vehicle Data Hub

2026 Kia Carnival Hybrid problems

NHTSA has received 52 complaints about the 2026 Kia Carnival Hybrid, and 25% of them involve electrical system. After that come drivetrain & axles (17%) and engine (12%).

At a glance

Complaints
52 filed with NHTSA
Most reported
Electrical system 25% of complaints
Crashes and fires
0 and 3
Injuries and deaths
0 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

Where the complaints are

Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.

  • Electrical system 25%
  • Drivetrain & axles 17%
  • Engine 12%
  • Cruise control 10%
  • Fuel system 10%
  • Backover prevention 4%
  • Brakes 4%
  • Forward collision avoidance 4%
  • Seats 2%
  • Body & structure 2%

What the data shows

Safety-related details: 3 complaints mention a fire.

It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.

What owners wrote

A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.

Without presenting any errors, the vehicle appears to enter some sort of limp home mode which limits speed to 31mph until the vehicle is turned off and re-started. 31mph is well below the speed limit on most public roads and being limited to this speed with no ability to pull over to stop/start the car creates a significant safety hazard to the driver of the vehicle and other motorists.

January 2026

Driving on freeway with the heater on, Cold weather, car had multiple issue messages (transmission control unit and adaptive cruise control) as well as a check engine light come on as the car went limp and would not accelerate. Has to pull off of the freeway after nearly getting in multiple accidents due to losing speed from 65 mph to 30. Had the gas pedal all the way to the ground and the car would barely accelerate.

January 2026

The contact owns a 2027 Hyundai Palisade. The contact stated that while initiating vehicle operation, the messages "Check Hybrid System" and "Stop Vehicle and Check Power Supply" was displayed. The failure was a recurring failure. The dealer was contacted and received the same messages. The dealer stated that the failure was associated with the 12-Volt battery in the vehicle that was low due to being in port for a while; however, the failure persisted.

Reported at 100 miles, August 2026

Other model years of the Carnival Hybrid