Last updated: 2026-10-10
Audi Q5 vs Kia Carnival: Reliability Compared
Audi Q5
Kia Carnival
Choosing between the Audi Q5 and the Kia Carnival? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize suvs.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Kia Carnival currently leads with an average score of 83/100 compared to 69/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
Verdict
The Kia Carnival is more reliable than the Audi Q5, scoring 83/100 vs 69/100.
Key Differences
- 1Kia Carnival has 39 fewer total recalls
- 2Kia Carnival scores 14 points higher in reliability
- 3Kia Carnival has 10.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Audi Q5 vs Kia Carnival: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Audi Q5 | Kia Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 69/100 | 83/100 |
| Years Tracked | 9 | 4 |
| Total Recalls | 49 | 10 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 10.4 | 0.3 |
| Year Wins | 0 | 4 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Audi Q5 and Kia Carnival?
| Component | Audi Q5 | Kia Carnival |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2.4Low | 0.1Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.7Very Low | —None |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.6Very Low | —None |
| SUSPENSION | 0.5Very Low | —None |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| STEERING | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 0.4Very Low | —None |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| LANE DEPARTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| WHEELS | —None | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY | —None | —None |
| VISIBILITY/WIPER | —None | —None |
| SEATS | —None | —None |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | —None | —None |
| Chest Clip | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
How Does Audi Q5 vs Kia Carnival Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Audi Q5 | Kia Carnival | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 76/1000R / 0C | 80/1002R / 13C | Kia Carnival |
| 2025 | 76/1000R / 15C | 88/1000R / 138C | Kia Carnival |
| 2023 | 71/1002R / 6C | 82/1003R / 43C | Kia Carnival |
| 2022 | 68/1008R / 39C | 80/1005R / 123C | Kia Carnival |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2023 Audi Q5 scored 71/100 and the 2023 Kia Carnival scored 82/100 — the strongest shared model years that have been on the road for at least two years, where available.
Audi Q5 vs Kia Carnival: Common Questions
- Is the Audi Q5 more reliable than the Kia Carnival?
- Based on our data, the Kia Carnival is more reliable with an average score of 83/100 compared to 69/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Audi Q5 or the Kia Carnival?
- The Audi Q5 has more recalls (49) compared to the Kia Carnival (10). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Audi Q5 or the Kia Carnival?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Kia Carnival has a lower complaint rate at 0.3 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 10.4 for the Audi Q5. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
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Decided between Audi Q5 and Kia Carnival? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
How we score the Audi Q5 and Kia Carnival
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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