The Recall Desk
HighNHTSA·23V179000·Announced 2023-03-17

2023 Kia Carnival Recall: Tow Hitch Fire Risk

Kia is recalling 2022-2023 Carnival vehicles with tow hitch harnesses that may accumulate water, causing electrical shorts that can result in fire.

NHTSA safety advisory

Park this vehicle outside

NHTSA advises parking it away from buildings and other vehicles until the repair is done — the risk exists even when the vehicle is switched off.

This is the agency’s own advisory, not our assessment. Contact the manufacturer or a dealer, and see the official NHTSA notice for the current guidance.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: This recall involves a fire hazard caused by water accumulating on an electrical component, a serious vehicle safety defect. However, no fires or injuries have been reported in the source text, making this a risk-of-harm scenario where injury has not yet manifested.

Plain-English summary

Kia America, Inc. is recalling certain 2022 and 2023 Carnival vehicles equipped with a tow hitch harness installed as original equipment or purchased as a Kia dealership accessory.

Water accumulation on the tow hitch harness module's printed circuit board may cause an electrical short, resulting in fire. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Owners should park their vehicles outside and away from structures until repairs are completed. Dealers will inspect whether the vehicle is equipped with the accessory and, if so, will install a new fuse and wire extension kit at no charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 16, 2023. Owners can contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 or the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
KIA CARNIVAL
Brand
KIA
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Category
Vehicle — Electrical / Fire Hazard
Hazard
Affected units
3,555

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • CARNIVAL

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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