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2023 Kia Carnival

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2023 Carnival.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2023 Kia Carnival is equipped with an automatic transmission and EPA‑rated fuel economy of 19 city, 26 highway, and 22 combined mpg. It records 46 total owner complaints, with the predominant complaint area listed as “Unknown Or Other,” and it has been subject to four recalls. Its complaint count falls between the peak 2022 year, which logged 131 complaints, and the projected 2026 low of 20 complaints, situating the model year in a transitional segment of the nameplate’s recent reliability history. Consequently, the 2023 Carnival represents a mid‑range reliability position as the brand progresses toward lower complaint volumes.

Model year2026202520232022

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Lug nut torque79.0-94.0 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/26/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

Tail / brake / turnLPOEM · verified
Tire size235/55R19 101HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length202.8 in
Overall width78.3 in
Overall height68.5 in
Wheelbase121.7 in
Curb weight4495 lb
Track (front / rear)68.9 / 68.9 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 26 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Carnival of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.5 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.50 sec — 2023 MPV SX Prestige
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2023MPV SX Prestige 3.5L V67.50 sec15.80 sec290 hpFWD
2022MPV SX 3.5L V67.00 sec15.30 sec290 hpFWD
2022MPV SX Prestige 3.5L V67.20 sec15.60 sec290 hpFWD
2022MPV SX Prestige 3.5L V67.30 sec15.50 sec290 hpFWD
2022MPV SX Prestige 3.5L V67.50 sec15.70 sec290 hpFWD
2022MPV EX 3.5L V67.70 sec15.80 sec290 hpFWD
2022MPV EX 3.5L V67.80 sec15.90 sec290 hpFWD
2025MPV SX Prestige 3.5L V67.50 sec15.70 sec287 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 79.0-94.0 ft-lbs.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts79.0-94.0 ft-lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 96,000 mi.

At 8,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 8,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect)
Every 16,000 miCV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect)
At 32,000 miEngine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
At 48,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 48,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed)
Every 96,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2023 model year marks a significant improvement over the debut 2022, with complaints falling sharply from 131 to 46, recalls dropping from 6 to 4, and the generation’s sole investigation closing entirely. While subsequent years show volatility—complaints rising to 64 in 2024 and spiking to 119 in 2025 before declining to 20 in 2026—2023 sits at the lowest point of the early-generation arc, suggesting Kia resolved initial production issues before later variability emerged. Federal records show zero fire complaints and only one crash-related complaint for 2023, with the top categories being "Unknown Or Other" and "Structure," though the data does not specify underlying causes for these specific issues. Given its position as the year with the fewest complaints and recalls in the generation’s first four years, the 2023 Carnival represents a comparatively stable acquisition within this model cycle.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
64
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
46
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’22’23’24’25’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 46 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other14
Structure10
Electrical System,Latches/Locks/Linkages2
Engine2
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness2
Seat Belts2
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Fuel System, Gasoline1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V179000Trailer HitchesReported 17/03/2023

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Carnival vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment, or purchased as an accessory through a Kia dealership. Water accumulation on… Remedy: Owners are advised to park their vehicles outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Dealers will inspect and verify whether the vehicle is equipped with a…

23V236000Structure:Body:DoorReported 31/03/2023

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling all 2022 and certain 2023 Carnival vehicles. The auto-reverse feature for the power sliding doors (PSD) may not activate in all situations. Remedy: Dealers will update the power sliding door control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 28, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 64 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PSD_REMINDER2_1052026-06-19StructureIMPORTANT REMINDER: OWNER NOTIFICATION: CARNIVAL POWER SLIDING DOOR FEATURE (KA4PSD2…
PI2602_TSB2026-06-15SeatsTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: 2ND ROW SEAT (LH & RH) FOLDING…
PI2602_OWNR2026-06-11SeatsPRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION (PI2602) - This document is the owner…
PI2602_QA2026-06-09SeatsPRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER (PI2602) - This document is the…
PI2602_DPSM2026-06-09SeatsPRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (PI2602) - This…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Carnival. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2023 Carnival have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Carnival get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.