Is the 2022 Kia CARNIVAL reliable?

The 2022 Kia CARNIVAL has 176 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: OTHER problems.

What are common problems with the 2022 Kia CARNIVAL?

Top problems: OTHER (33 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (31 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (23 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2022 Kia CARNIVAL?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:ELECTRONIC LOCK/LATCH ACTUATOR, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL, TRAILER HITCHES, STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR, STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2022 Kia CARNIVAL?

The 2022 Kia CARNIVAL gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2022 Kia CARNIVAL?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2022 Kia CARNIVAL is approximately $1,600/year (minivan class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2022 Kia CARNIVAL

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2022 Kia CARNIVAL has 176 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 158. The most common issue is other problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: a small rock barely hit my windshield and cracked it completely across. it started as a small crack from a small pebble that progressed significantly overnight. what’s worse is that the windshield is on back order so i been waiting over a month for it to get fixed. this seems like a common occurrenc. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

2 crash reports 31 injuries

176

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

OTHER

33 complaints

19%

• A small rock barely hit my windshield and cracked it completely across. It started as a small crack from a small pebble that progressed significantly overnight. What’s worse is that the windshield is on back order so I been waiting over a month for it to get fixed. This seems like a common occurrenc
• Auto hold engaged on car and failed to hold car. Resulted in a crash to my front gate and damage to the car as well as gate. Would not brake when pumping on brake upon collision to front gate. Sensor is now malfunctioning and Kia is not taking responsibility. Most recently the front windshield h
• The sliding doors on the MPV do not have a sensor to stop the door from opening when it hits resistance. My 4 year olds leg was sucked down into the door as it was opening and it pinned his leg. The door met resistance on his leg and did not stop opening. The door also doesn't stop closing unless yo

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“A small rock barely hit my windshield and cracked it completely across. It started as a small crack from a small pebble that progressed significantly overnight. What’s worse is that the windshield is on back order so I been waiting over a month for it to get fixed. This seems like a common occurrenc”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2022 Kia CARNIVAL

Based on 19 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 2K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred. This vehicle is under 5 years old, so most of the fleet hasn't accumulated high mileage yet — low-mileage peaks reflect fleet age, not necessarily premature failure.

Recalls (6)

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:ELECTRONIC LOCK/LATCH ACTUATOR19/11/2021

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2022 Carnival vehicles. The remote controller assembly for the passenger-side power sliding door may malfunction, preventing the passenger-side sliding door from securely latching.

Risk: A power sliding door that fails to latch may open while moving, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will replace the passenger-side power sliding door release actuator's drum and holder inside the remote controller assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC221.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2022 Kia CARNIVAL

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2022 Kia CARNIVAL

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,600

Full coverage / month

$133

Liability only / year

$595

vs US avg

-4%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (minivan)0.91x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.05x

= Full coverage estimate$1600

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia CARNIVAL Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2022 CARNIVAL, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 176 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: A small rock barely hit my windshield and cracked it completely across. It started as a small crack from a small pebble that progressed significantly overnight. What’s worse is that the windshield is on back order so I been waiting over a month for it to get fixed. This seems like a common occurrenc
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: Sliding doors seem unsafe. They take a tremendous amount of force to stop the automatic door from closing. There is no safety mechanism to prevent a child from getting stuck and/or extremely hurt due if caught in sliding doors while closing. Seems like there should be a lesser resistance necessar
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: At roughly 9,000 miles we noticed that the lights illuminating the climate control buttons stopped working. We also noticed the gear shift indicators (P, R, N, D) were not lighting up either, and neither was the light that told you what gear you were in. At night it is impossible to see what gear yo
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: Driving down the road, nothing flew at the windshield, it just cracked. Currently can’t replace it either as there is no stock.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)