U.S. consumer safety regulators have issued a public advisory after Kia America announced a widespread safety recall covering roughly 141,000 Kia Carnival sport utility vehicles manufactured between the 2022 and 2026 model years. The core issue identified by the automaker centers on a defective connection between the vehicle’s fuel pipe and fuel rail. This manufacturing flaw can allow fuel to leak from the joint, creating a significant elevated risk of vehicle fire that threatens driver and passenger safety.
The Prices and Consumer Affairs Division, which issued the public advisory, confirmed that official recall notification letters are scheduled to begin mailing to all registered U.S. vehicle owners starting June 2, 2026. Even with the scheduled mailing timeline, regulators are urging owners of affected Kia Carnival models to take proactive steps to check their vehicles immediately rather than waiting for official correspondence, due to the serious safety hazard posed by the potential fire risk.
In a key clarification for consumers, the Division emphasized that all repair work completed as part of this manufacturer-initiated safety recall will be provided completely free of charge. Owners will not be required to pay any out-of-pocket costs for parts, labor, or associated services to fix the defective fuel pipe connection. Consumers seeking additional details about the recall or support to schedule a repair can find further information and assistance through the official consumer affairs portal at consumeraffairs.gov.ag.