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Kat says do not buy the 2025 Kia Carnival.
Imagine the frustration of buying a new top-of-the-line 2025 Kia Carnival Prestige ($52,600) multi-purpose vehicle (MVP), only to have the battery die three times in one month. This was the experience of Kat, a wife and mother of three, who goes by itskat.h on TikTok.
She warns potential buyers to avoid the Kia family hauler because hers has serious battery issues that the dealer can't fix.
Kat posted a TikTok video claiming that less than a month after buying her new Kia Carnival, she had already encountered three dead battery incidents.
After numerous calls to AAA for roadside assistance and repeated visits to the Kia dealer where she purchased the 2025 Carnival MVP, Kat was left with a sense of disappointment and frustration.
Kat returned her Kia Carnival to the dealer after four months.
Here is what Kat says.
"This is for anybody who is looking to buy the new Kia Carnival the 2025. We have the Prestige... umm... do not buy it," she says in the video.
"Now, the first time we called AAA, and the next two times, we did the Kia roadside assistance, and they have zero clue as to what is going on with it."
She says the dealership technicians are also unable to find the issue.
Kat says the Kia dealer had her Kia Carnival in the service department "for about two weeks now, trying to figure out the same issue," Kat said in the TikTok video, which has over 60,000 views.
"So, they are pretty clueless on how to fix it. They thought they fixed it and the test drive came back, thought it was all good, and it died again within an hour."
"Who knows what is going on with this car? I'm gonna assume it's a lemon, and hopefully, I will get another car in return."
"I just wanted to get on here to warn people, do not buy a Kia."
Kat is so fed up with the new vehicle she bought for her family that she turned it into the dealer where she bought it.
Kat posted another video on November 15 of her driving a new car after returning her Kia Carnival.
"Today is the day, and for those of you who have no clue what I'm talking about, I am finally taking back the keys to the Kia that I had."
"So, I am just surrendering the spare key that I had, and then I'm going to get my big fat check and be on my merry (f-bomb) way.
"All right, I am all done. I got the check, and I am done with Kia forever," she says with a smile.
There were both bad and good comments in the comment section about Kia and the new Carnival MVP family hauler.
"I bought a Kia Forte, and NEVER again will I ever get a Kia. I had it for less than a year. Within 2 months of having it had engine issues," one woman wrote.
Another person said, "My kids bought a 2023 Telluride, and in 8 days, it was burning from the inside console. They kept it for almost 2 months before Kia said to give us our money back."
"I have a 2023 Sportage, and it's had multiple issues but not enough to lemon law it yet. I will NEVER buy another Kia," a third person added.
Not all comments were negative.
"I love my Kia and have not had a problem," one woman said, saying she had a 2023 Kia Sportage.
A second wrote, "I've had 4 Kia's and loved all of them. currently have a 2024 Telluride, and I'm in love with it."
"I've had my 2024 Kia Carnival for over a year and LOVE it!!" said another.
It's Your Turn.
Do you have a Kia Carnival or another Kia model? What is your experience with your vehicle and the Korean automaker? We encourage you to share your thoughts by clicking the red 'Add New Comment' link below.
I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.
Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Kat @itskat.h
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Comments
This case is one in…
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This case is one in thousands. I have a Kia Carnival and there are many in my circle. No one had any issues with battery even after 2 years. One of my friend, take his car once in a week or two. He hardly drives his car. He had a dead battery in an year. It makes sense. These cars will use more battery even if if parked. This is for sensors, mirror, seat and it goes on. If you take the heavy loaded car just for 4 or 5 miles, it will not gwr enough charge. It should be drive with high acceleration atleast for 30 mins. Not stop and go. With the case posted in this article, it could be a power leak. Could be a wire is touching the metal and draining the charge. It needs an experienced mechanic with knowledge of the car and he shohld have patience first to solve this problem. Overall, there are people who drove the car for 20,000 miles in a year. I am enjoying my kia carnival car and i am in the 3rd year.