NHTSA Recall 26V232000: Kia Carnival Fuel-Pipe Fire Risk
A plain-language breakdown of NHTSA recall 26V232000 — the Kia Carnival crossover fuel-pipe fastener defect that can leak fuel and raise engine-fire risk, plus your California lemon law rights.
Recall 26V232000 at a glance
- NHTSA campaign number
- 26V232000
- Manufacturer
- Kia America, Inc.
- Vehicles affected
- Kia Carnival
- Model years
- 2022–2026
- Units recalled
- 141,032
- Component
- Fuel system — high-pressure crossover fuel pipe fasteners
- Risk
- Fuel leak and engine fire risk
- Recall issued
- April 10, 2026
Safety notice: Fuel leak and engine fire risk. Follow the manufacturer's interim guidance below until the recall repair is completed.
What the recall covers
Recall 26V232000 (Kia reference SC368) covers about 141,032 model year 2022–2026 Kia Carnival minivans. The fasteners securing the high-pressure crossover fuel pipe between the two fuel rails can work loose, allowing fuel to escape and raising the risk of an engine fire — the same defect Genesis addressed in a parallel recall.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect the high-pressure crossover fuel pipe, tighten the retention fasteners, or replace the pipe if a leak is found, free of charge. Kia began notifying owners around June 2, 2026.
What owners should do now
- If you smell fuel or see a leak, have the vehicle checked right away given the fire risk.
- Watch for your Kia owner-notification letter and schedule the free inspection/repair.
- Confirm whether your specific VIN is affected.
- Keep your recall letter and every repair order.
- If a fuel odor or leak continues after the repair, document it and save the paperwork.
How to check your VIN
Confirm whether a specific vehicle is included by entering the 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or kia.com. Inclusion is VIN-specific, not just by model and year.
Kia customer service: 800-333-4542 (recall reference SC368). NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline: 888-327-4236.
When this recall can become a California lemon law claim
A recall is not automatically a lemon — it is the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free fix. Your Kia may qualify under California's Lemon Law if the recall repair is significantly delayed, doesn't resolve the problem, or your vehicle has other unrepaired warranty defects. In those cases you may be entitled to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement, with the manufacturer paying your attorney fees. For the full breakdown, see the guides below.
Read more on this recall
Frequently Asked Questions
What vehicles does recall 26V232000 cover?
Recall 26V232000 (Kia reference SC368) covers about 141,032 model year 2022–2026 Kia Carnival minivans whose crossover fuel pipe fasteners can loosen and leak fuel, raising engine-fire risk.
How do I know if my VIN is included in 26V232000?
Enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or kia.com, or call Kia at 800-333-4542. Inclusion depends on the specific VIN.
Could the Kia Carnival recall make my minivan a California lemon?
Not automatically. But a fuel-leak fire risk is a serious safety defect, and if the repair is delayed, doesn't resolve the problem, or your Carnival has other unrepaired warranty defects, you may have a California lemon law claim — potentially a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement, with the manufacturer paying your attorney fees.
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Prior results do not guarantee or predict a similar outcome. Every case is different and depends on its own facts.
Recall details are summarized from public NHTSA data and are subject to change; confirm current information at nhtsa.gov/recalls. This page is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different; for advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney.