Kia Carnival Reference Library

Kia Carnival: Seat / Headrest (for front seat)

The driver and front passenger seats in your Kia Carnival are equipped with adjustable headrests designed to provide both superior comfort and critical support for the head and neck in the event of a collision.

Front seat headrest design in the Kia Carnival for occupant protection

To maximize the safety benefit of this system during an accident, the headrest must be adjusted so that its center is aligned with the center of gravity of your head. As a general rule, the center of the headrest should be adjusted to a height level with the top of your eyes.

Additionally, position the headrest as close to the back of your head as possible to minimize the potential for "whiplash" injuries. For this reason, we advise against the use of aftermarket cushions between your body and the seatback, as they can misalign your posture and decrease the protective efficiency of the headrest.

Safety diagram showing correct versus incorrect headrest alignment for neck injury prevention WARNING

Headrest removal/adjustment

  • Never operate your Kia Carnival with the headrests removed. They provide essential structural support for the neck during a rear-end collision.

  • Do not attempt to adjust headrest height while the vehicle is in motion, as this can distract the driver and lead to a loss of vehicle control.

Caution indicator regarding mechanical stress on headrest adjustment components CAUTION

Avoid applying excessive force when pushing or pulling the headrest, as this may damage the internal adjustment mechanism.

Adjusting the height up and down

Diagram illustrating the manual headrest height adjustment steps in the Kia Carnival

To raise or lower the headrest:

  1. Pull the headrest upward until it clicks into the desired position (1).

  2. To lower it, press and hold the release button (2) located on the headrest support pillar.

  3. Slide the headrest downward to the preferred height (3).

Verification of locked headrest position after adjustment in the Kia Carnival WARNING

Always ensure the headrest is audibly locked into position after adjustment to guarantee optimal passenger safety.

Caution regarding potential contact between the Kia Carnival headrest and sun visor CAUTION

If you recline the seatback forward while the headrest is in a raised position, the headrest may come into contact with the sun visor or ceiling lining.

Overview of front seat components interacting during headrest adjustment in the Kia Carnival

Removing headrest

Type A & Type B

Headrest removal procedure for Type A seat system in the Kia Carnival

Headrest removal procedure for Type B seat system in the Kia Carnival

To remove the headrest for cleaning or maintenance:

  1. Raise the headrest to its maximum height.

  2. Slightly recline the seatback (2) using the adjustment lever or switch (1).

  3. Press and hold the headrest release button (3) while simultaneously pulling the headrest upward (4).

Safety warning: Prohibition of riding in a seat without a properly installed headrest WARNING

Removing headrest: NEVER permit anyone to sit in a Kia Carnival seat if the headrest has been removed or installed in a reversed position. Always ensure the headrest is securely fastened to provide critical support during a collision.

Reinstalling headrest

Type A & Type B

Installation procedure for headrest Type A in the Kia Carnival front seat

Installation procedure for headrest Type B in the Kia Carnival front seat

To reinstall the headrest properly into your Kia Carnival seat:

  1. Align the headrest poles (2) with the guide holes on the seatback, then insert them while pressing and holding the release button (1).

  2. If necessary, recline the seatback (4) slightly using the reclining lever or power switch (3) to ensure a clear path for insertion.

  3. Adjust the headrest to your desired height to ensure proper cervical support.

Safety verification graphic confirming the headrest is locked in the Kia Carnival WARNING

Headrest reinstallation: To significantly reduce the risk of head or neck injury during an accident, always confirm the headrest is audibly locked into position and adjusted to the correct height after reinstallation.