Kia is calling back about 141,000 Carnival minivans in the United States after federal regulators flagged a fuel-line connection that can loosen over time, leak gasoline and raise the risk of an engine-bay fire. Dealers will inspect the crossover fuel pipe on affected vehicles and either tighten or replace the connectors, with all work covered at no cost to owners.
According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the issue centers on retention fasteners on a high-pressure crossover fuel pipe that can gradually back off and allow fuel to escape, creating a potential fire hazard, as reported by Car and Driver. The recall campaign covers an estimated 141,032 Kia Carnival minivans from the 2022 through 2026 model years.
Owners will be able to check whether their vehicle is included by entering its VIN in NHTSA’s online recall lookup beginning next Friday. Kia says it will start mailing owner-notification letters on June 2, and dealers will handle all inspections and repairs free of charge. Drivers with questions can call Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542, according to Local Memphis.
How dealers will fix it
Technicians will carry out a visual inspection of the high-pressure crossover fuel pipe and tighten the retention fasteners wherever needed. If a pipe is found to be leaking, it will be replaced. Kia says both the inspection and any follow-up repairs will be completed at no charge, and it is advising owners to wait for their official recall notice before booking an appointment. The automaker plans to begin mailing those notices on June 2, per Local Memphis.
Past recalls and safety context
This is not the first time the Carnival has been pulled into fuel-system inspections. An earlier recall campaign focused on checking the fuel-rail tube for potential damage that could cause leaks, according to RepairPal. Fire-risk recalls have cropped up across several Hyundai Motor Group models in recent years, which makes it especially important for Carnival owners to stay on top of any open recalls tied to their VIN.
What owners should do now
If you own a 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 or 2026 Kia Carnival, run your VIN through the federal recall lookup and schedule an inspection with your dealer if your vehicle shows up as part of the campaign. NHTSA’s recall search tool is available at NHTSA.
If you notice a fuel smell or spot any sign of a leak, park the minivan outdoors, avoid driving it and contact your dealer or Kia customer service immediately. You can also call the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 to report a problem or get additional guidance.
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