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2026 KIA CARNIVAL HYBRID — ENGINE

fire · 2255552 · 2026-10-11

Vehicle

Make
KIA
Model
CARNIVAL HYBRID
Year
2026
Manufacturer
Kia America, Inc.
Component
ENGINE
Speed
20 mph

Severity

Deaths
0
Injured
0
Fire
Yes
Crash
No
Police report
No
Medical attention
No
Vehicle towed
No

Narrative

On XXX my nearly new 2026 Kia Carnival Hybrid SX Prestige, with approximately 5,650 miles on the odometer, caught fire while I was driving in [XXX]. The fire originated in the engine compartment, where components of the hybrid electrical system, including the Hybrid Power Control Unit (HPCU)/inverter assembly, were subsequently found severely damaged. The incident occurred unexpectedly during normal vehicle operation and created an extremely dangerous situation. A vehicle fire while driving presents a serious risk of injury or death to the driver, passengers, and other road users. Following the incident, I sought emergency medical attention due to smoke inhalation. I was evaluated at an emergency department, including blood testing for carbon monoxide exposure. The vehicle was subsequently transported to an authorized Kia dealership. Kia America was notified of the incident and subsequently offered to repurchase the vehicle under California’s Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act. However, the manufacturer has not provided me with a definitive technical explanation of what caused the fire. I am extremely concerned that this incident may involve a potentially serious defect in the hybrid electrical or power management system that could affect other Kia Carnival Hybrid vehicles. I respectfully request that NHTSA review this incident, evaluate whether similar fires or electrical failures have been reported, and determine whether further investigation into a potential vehicle

Source

Authoritative
NHTSA ODI Flat-File Downloads
ODI Number
11770376
Machine
JSON-LD · Markdown