Recall 23V179 affects 3,555 2022-2023 Kia Carnival vehicles for tow-hitch-harness short circuits. Park outside and away from structures. Free repair at any franchised Kia dealer.
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Park the Carnival outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. There is no warning sign before a fire, so follow the park-outside guidance even if the vehicle seems normal. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
Kia is recalling 3,555 2022-2023 Carnival vehicles with a tow hitch harness because water can collect on the module's printed circuit board and cause an electrical short. A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury, so owners should park outside and away from structures until a Kia dealer completes the free repair.
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What's wrong?
The tow hitch harness on the 2022-2023 Kia Carnival is the wiring that connects the vehicle's electrical system to a trailer. The 4-pin harness sends lighting signals to the trailer, and its module uses a printed circuit board to manage that connection. That board needs to stay dry for the electrical path to work as designed.
On recalled Carnivals, water enters through the trailer tow hitch harness wiring connector. Water then accumulates on the module's printed circuit board. When moisture bridges electrical contacts on the board, it creates a short circuit. That short creates heat in a place that is not designed to handle it, which can result in a fire.
There is no warning sign before failure. The owner notices nothing reliable before water reaches the board and the short starts, so the VIN and harness history matter more than symptoms.
Who's affected?
Covers Carnival minivans from 2022 and 2023 tied to the same 4-pin tow hitch harness.
| 2023 Kia Carnival | Trailer hitches |
|---|---|
| 2022 Kia Carnival | Trailer hitches |
| Units affected | 3,555 |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific minivan is included.
What's the safety risk?
A fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury. Park the Carnival outside and away from structures until the remedy is complete. There is no warning sign before a fire, so follow the park-outside guidance even if the vehicle seems normal. Repair is free at any franchised Kia dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2022-2023 Kia Carnival is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Kia dealer to schedule the free inspection and tow-hitch-harness fuse and wire extension kit repair that addresses the electrical short and fire risk.
- Park outside and away from structures until the dealer completes the repair.
- Bring the recall notice if Kia mailed one. If not, reference recall number 23V179 and Kia recall SC265 when you call.
- Call Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542 with questions about scheduling or the tow hitch harness repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Kia technician inspects the vehicle to confirm whether it has a Genuine Kia accessory trailer tow hitch assembly. If the hitch assembly is installed, the technician installs a new fuse and wire extension kit. The recall repair is free, and owners should park outside and away from structures until the remedy is completed. Kia's standard reimbursement plan covers repair expenses already paid for this issue. If you already paid for a related tow hitch harness repair, contact Kia customer service or bring documentation to the dealer so the claim can be reviewed.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 17, 2023 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 11, 2023 | Dealer notification began |
| May 11, 2023 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 16, 2023 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 16, 2023 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 23V179?
Recall 23V179 covers 3,555 2022-2023 Kia Carnival vehicles with a genuine Kia tow hitch harness. Water on the harness module circuit board can cause an electrical short and fire. Kia dealers will inspect the vehicle and install the fuse and wire extension kit for free if needed.
What should I do if my 2022-2023 Kia Carnival is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Carnival is included in recall 23V179. Until the remedy is completed, park outside and away from structures. If your vehicle has the genuine Kia trailer tow hitch assembly, a franchised Kia dealer will install the new fuse and wire extension kit for free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Kia says repairs for recall 23V179 are free. A franchised Kia dealer will inspect for the genuine Kia trailer tow hitch assembly and complete the needed fuse and wire extension kit repair.
Is it safe to drive my 2022-2023 Kia Carnival?
Kia does not list this as a do-not-drive recall, but the fire risk applies while parked or driving. Park outside and away from structures until the dealer completes the remedy, then ask the dealer whether the vehicle has the genuine Kia tow hitch assembly covered by recall 23V179.
When did Kia notify owners about recall 23V179?
Kia mailed owner notification letters on May 16, 2023. If you bought the Carnival used or never received a letter, the VIN still decides whether the recall applies. Check your VIN, then reference recall 23V179 or Kia recall number SC265 when you call a Kia dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/23V179000 |
|---|---|
| Kia customer service | 1-800-333-4542 |
| NHTSA recall # | 23V179 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 23V179000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Misc. Document (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 20, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →