2022-2023 Kia Carnival Body Door Recall (23V236)
Kia America, Inc. · 51,568 vehicles · Reported March 31, 2023
Kia America, Inc. is recalling 51,568 2022-2023 Kia Carnival vehicles. The auto-reverse feature for the power sliding doors (PSD) may not activate in all situations. A power sliding door that does not auto-reverse can close on an occupant, increasing the risk of injury. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 23V236 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 23V236000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SC266 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | March 31, 2023 |
| Manufacturer | Kia America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2022-2023 Kia Carnival |
| Units affected | 51,568 |
| Component | Structure > Body > Door |
| Safety risk | A power sliding door that does not auto-reverse can close on an occupant, increasing the risk of injury. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2022-2023 Kia Carnival in recall 23V236?
The auto-reverse feature for the power sliding doors (PSD) may not activate in all situations.
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.
Is it safe to drive a 2022-2023 Carnival with recall 23V236?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: A power sliding door that does not auto-reverse can close on an occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: A power sliding door that does not auto-reverse can close on an occupant, increasing the risk of injury.
There is no do-not-drive order on this campaign. If your Carnival shows warning lights or behaves differently in a way that involves the door, have it checked before driving further.
Which vehicles are included in recall 23V236?
Recall 23V236 covers 51,568 vehicles: 2022-2023 Kia Carnival.
NHTSA lists 51,568 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2022-2023 | Kia | Carnival |
What is the fix for the Carnival body door recall?
Yes. Dealers will update the power sliding door control module software, free of charge.
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 at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC266.
When was recall 23V236 announced?
Kia America, Inc. reported recall 23V236 to NHTSA on March 31, 2023. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as April 28, 2023.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| March 31, 2023 | Kia America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 23V236000. |
| April 28, 2023 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 42 months ago. If your Carnival was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Carnival is part of recall 23V236?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 23V236 is open on your Carnival, it will be listed there.
Look up your VIN on nhtsa.gov/recalls. If 23V236000 is open on your Carnival, it will be listed there, along with Kia recall number SC266. You can also ask any Kia dealer to run the VIN. The VIN is printed on your registration and visible through the lower driver-side windshield.
What should Carnival owners do about recall 23V236?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 23V236000 applies to your Carnival.
- Call a Kia dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any door symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Carnival owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 187 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 8 of them about the body, doors and seats.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the body, doors and seats have been filed since recall 23V236 was reported (4) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 187 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 8 of them involve the body, doors and seats. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2022 Kia Carnival: 136 complaints in total, 7 about the body, doors and seats
- 2023 Kia Carnival: 51 complaints in total, 1 about the body, doors and seats
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
The contact owns a 2023 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the driver’s side roof molding ejected from the vehicle. The contact immediately stopped the vehicle but was unable to locate the molding. The cause of the failure was not yet determined.
2023 Kia Carnival owner, KS, NHTSA complaint 11742271, filed June 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Carnival. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the driver's side windshield exterior A-Pillar trim flew off and struck the vehicle behind, almost causing a crash. The contact pulled over to the side of the road temporarily.
2022 Kia Carnival owner, MD, NHTSA complaint 11664391, filed June 2, 2025
The contact owns a 2022 Kia Carnival. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V908000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages, Structure); however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the rear passenger’s side power sliding door failed to latch securely.
2022 Kia Carnival owner, SC, NHTSA complaint 11753013, filed July 27, 2026
Can recall 23V236 make my Carnival a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 23V236000 does not automatically make your Carnival a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Door latch, seat and body structure defects can affect safety in a crash and everyday use. If the recall repair does not solve the problem, the repeat visit is part of your record.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
Civil Code 1793.22(b) sets out a presumption that applies in the first 18 months or 18,000 miles: two or more repair attempts for a defect likely to cause death or serious bodily injury, four or more attempts for the same defect, or more than 30 total days out of service for repairs. Written notice to the manufacturer is required in some cases. Owners outside that window can still have a claim.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Carnival been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Kia Carnival recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 23V236
Is the 23V236000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed April 28, 2023.
How do I know if my Carnival is part of recall 23V236000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 23V236000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Kia. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.