Investigations
Power Sliding Door Auto Reverse Failure
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE22004 — closed, opened 2022-04-10 and involving the KIA CARNIVAL.
NHTSA investigation PE22004 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2022-04-10 and currently closed. The subject of record is KIA CARNIVAL, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for KIA. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2023-06-13 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE22004 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "On April 10, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) after receiving 5 consumer complaints alleging the Power Sliding Doors (PSD) auto-reverse function failed to work prope..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related KIA files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
On April 10, 2022, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) after receiving 5 consumer complaints alleging the Power Sliding Doors (PSD) auto-reverse function failed to work properly in the model year (MY) 2022 Kia Carnival minivan vehicles. At that time, ODI was aware of 3 complaints alleging injuries to consumer’s arm, hand or shoulder caused by the closing PSD. Additionally, consumers alleged being trapped against the closing door while it was traversing in the closing direction. The initial complaints also alleged excessive force is needed to reverse the direction of the closing door. At this time, ODI is aware of 26 complaints and 11 injuries on the MY 2022 Carnival vehicles. In its August 2022 responses to ODI's Information Request on the PE, Kia provided 36 customer complaints, 21 field reports, and 5 related warranty claims. Kia also provided ODI with 21 reports of alleged injuries, however, Kia stated that it was able to confirm only 9 injuries. Typically, these injuries are attributed to fingers and arms. The Kia Carnival automatic stop and reversal system is designed to automatically reverse the direction of the closing PSD if it meets resistance from an object or person. It relies on resistance sensing technology which requires a minimum input force or pressure to trigger activation. The primary sensing components used to regulate the auto-reverse system activation are the anti-pinch sensor and the PSD motor torque systems. Following several discussions with ODI during this investigation, on March 31, 2023, Kia filed a safety recall (NHTSA No. 23V-236) of 51,568 MY 2022 and 2023 Kia Carnival vehicles (produced through February 22, 2023) to reduce the risk of injury from the closing PSD. The remedy will be to reprogram the PSD control module with an updated software that provides two warning chimes when the door begins to close or open (to alert the vehicle users the door is about to move). Also, the updated softwa
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Other KIA Investigations
Kia 25V099 Piston Oil Ring Recall Effectiveness
Windshield Wiper Failure
3.3L Engine Loss of Motive Power (LOMP)
Loss of Motive Power
Vehicle Rollaway
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.