Recent reports from 2025 Kia Carnival owners are highlighting a concerning issue: unexpected battery drain. Several users have taken to online forums to share their experiences, detailing incidents of their Carnival’s battery dying after a relatively short period of ownership.
One owner, [@CarniDad1], reported their battery died after just 11 days. Following a jump start from the dealership, and a visit to the service shop, the suggested remedies were surprisingly basic: recharge the battery, remove the Kia app, and keep the key fob far away from the vehicle. These steps are intended to rule out potential conflicts between the app, key fob signals, and the vehicle’s system that might be causing excessive battery drain. Furthermore, disabling remote features and the auto dehumidify option were also recommended as preventative measures.
Another owner, who purchased their Carnival around 15 days prior to their battery issue, experienced a complete battery drain to the point where Kia roadside assistance, upon arrival, declared the battery dead. Interestingly, this incident occurred shortly after the owner activated the in-car WiFi. Since receiving a jump start, they have reported no further issues, even with features like auto door and liftgate opening enabled via the key fob.
These anecdotal accounts raise questions about the 2025 Kia Carnival’s electrical system and its interaction with the key fob and connected features. The frustration among owners is palpable, particularly as dealerships seem to lack definitive solutions. One owner was informed that similar battery drain problems have been reported with the Kia EV6, suggesting a potentially broader issue within the Kia model range, and that a fix is not readily available.
The suggested workarounds – distancing the key fob and disabling convenient features – are understandably frustrating for owners who purchased vehicles equipped with these technologies. They argue that these features were part of the vehicle’s appeal and should function reliably. Owners are hoping for a more permanent solution from Kia, ideally through an OTA update or a hardware fix, to resolve this apparent battery drain issue and ensure the dependable operation of their 2025 Carnivals. For now, some owners are taking proactive steps, like purchasing portable jump starters such as the NOCO Boost Plus GB40, to mitigate potential future battery failures.
