I was hoping this wouldn’t happen to me, but despite reading about it before getting the 2025 Carnival SX, I thought it probably wouldn’t affect me. My wife didn’t use the car over the weekend, but when she went to take the kids to school today, the car was completely dead. Kia told me there’s a recall for this issue. Has anyone else had this problem and gotten it fixed? Did the fix actually work?
@Mark
Mine got updated yesterday, and so far, it’s working fine.
Kia sent out an OTA software update to fix this. Be sure to install it as soon as you can. It might take a few days for your van to download and apply it. The update came out on 11/12, and I just got it today (11/18). The update takes less than 5 minutes to apply.
@gabu
Can you tell me how to get it? Once I click on it, do I need to leave the car running for five minutes to apply it after downloading?
Wyatt said:
@gabu
Can you tell me how to get it? Once I click on it, do I need to leave the car running for five minutes to apply it after downloading?
The update should download and prepare automatically without any action from you. You can’t manually check for the update, the car does that itself. When you turn off the car, a notification will pop up to install the update. It can only be applied when the car is off because it updates the center control unit (CCU). You’ll get a push notification on your phone once the update is complete.
Wyatt said:
@gabu
Can you tell me how to get it? Once I click on it, do I need to leave the car running for five minutes to apply it after downloading?
The update happens with the car off. There might be a notification, but it will do its thing when you lock the car and walk away.
@nesh
If I can get the battery charged… it’s at 0% right now. I’m going to drive it a little to charge it, then see what happens.
@nesh
Do you need to connect the car to Wi-Fi for OTA updates, or does the car have satellite internet to manage this?
@gabu
I did it yesterday, and it’s working fine now with no problems.
I got my update today. I got a notification saying it was available, then it downloaded automatically. When I turned the car off, it gave me the option to update right away or delay it. It took less than 5 minutes to install. I never had the battery drain issue, so I’m not sure what the update does for my van.
@Isaac
Just did it. So far, everything looks good. Thank you .
Wyatt said:
@Isaac
Just did it. So far, everything looks good. Thank you!
After the update, my Kia Access app won’t load my van.
I’ve been keeping an eye on this forum with some concern, but two recent threads may help with this fix. Check them out:
https://www.forum.com/kiacarnivals/2025_battery_drain_technical_service_bulletin_tsb/
https://www.forum.com/kiacarnivals/ota_update_now_available_battery_issue/
@NiroNavigator
The second thread you linked helped me out. Did it happen automatically, or did you have to opt in for it?
SportageSpur said:
@NiroNavigator
The second thread you linked helped me out. Did it happen automatically, or did you have to opt in for it?
That’s the second thread I linked. Did the update happen on its own, or did you have to opt in for it?
I read somewhere that they found an official solution for this issue:
It’s possible that the OTA update for battery drain only applies to Hybrid models? I have a hybrid EX, and the update automatically showed up on my screen while driving. It also prompted me to make sure the battery was charged before I turned the car off if I wanted to install the update. I’m not completely sure, but the ‘auxiliary’ battery sounds like something for the hybrid models. Everyone I’ve seen mention this update has had a hybrid. If you have a non-hybrid 2025 Kia Carnival (SX or SXP), can you confirm if you got the update and if it resolved the battery drain?
@jonces
No, the update is for all models. Mine is a non-hybrid SX, and it worked.
Wyatt said:
@jonces
No, the update is for all models. Mine is a non-hybrid SX, and it worked.
Thanks for confirming! That’s great news for anyone looking to buy the 2025 Carnival. I was considering getting one, and I’m glad I finally did .