7th Jul 2008, 01:34
Hi there, I have a Carnival Classic 2000 and I have just been quoted $9,162- to replace the engine for the 2nd time. (I have had it since new and have had many many other issues - new clutch in the first year, and mistakes made by generally useless service staff at my local dealer and the engine rebuilt/replaced in 2004). KIA have turned down any claim on them. I will be taking this further as the car is not even worth $9,000 due to the lovely reputation Carnivals have. Coolant loss was a huge problem with pressure tests and change of radiator cap making no difference.
Regards Fiona .
10th Aug 2008, 08:18
A pensioner mate of mine has just had his first engine go on his carnival. 5-8K to fix. Absurd. Why doesn't someone start a register of all the people with problems, and give the list to a savy legal company for a class action to force a recall and compensation. Or, to get the ACCC or the state motoring authorities to sort it out. In this day and age, a car that gets less than 150K out of its first engine is not fit for the purpose for which it is sold (Kia markets it a "cheap" family motoring - which it obviously isn't). As such, the sale of the vehicle could well be a breach of the trade practices act.
The register could be an email or phone list, or self register at a web site.
Just some thoughts to help you poor motorists get some justice. Good luck:-)
4th Jan 2009, 23:37
Wow... please believe me that ignorance comes with expensive prices to be paid. I purchased a 2004 used Carnival with low mileage as the odometer was clocking only 38000km just 2 weeks ago. The mover brought excitements to the whole family, moving around on flats and terrains with no difficulties at all. But it only last for a week. On the eight day while ascending the road to the Cameron highland, a hill resort in Malaysia, the car stalled, engine burnt and emitted smoke with no way we could continue our journey if not with the help of the tow truck. The car is now in the workshop queuing for the major repair and overhaul. Most of the engine parts have to be replaced. The workshop quoted RM13500 for the works and that made us sick.
I read most of the Carnival owner's remarks before acquiring the car, but still ended with a false decision.
29th Jan 2009, 04:27
The following sounds unbelievable, but may be worth a try if you have the oil mixing problem...
I previously wrote above on 27/6/2008 "I've just found oil mixing in my coolant in my 2001 KIA Carnival and it's only done 73000km." etc.
Since that time, I decided that it was not worth fixing the engine for $9000, as this was worth more than the car if it was working and had no guarantees anyway. Instead I decided to just keep running the car and topping up the oil and water - I had nothing to lose really.
Miraculously, the oil eventually stopped leaking into the coolant. Then the coolant stopped leaking into the engine. I've done a coolant flush to get the oil out of the radiator etc and all is back to normal.
My theory is that the known design defect (cylinder sleeve cracking) may of been a hairline crack that over time expanded and sealed up with the piston head continually buffing over it.
Another less likely theory was a gasket leak which swelled up and resealed itself, but this seems unlikely as the gasket would normally blow, not reseal.
Either way, it was about 2-3 months of use before it sealed up again and the car is running fine, which is weird because normally from my experience these things just get worse, not better.
27th Feb 2009, 08:43
My 2004 Kia Carnival has now done nearly 140,000 kms without any major problem... My only gripe is that the interior of the car has worn terribly, demonstrating the poor quality materials used in its construction... but it has never left us stranded. Guess its just luck of the draw with these models...
9th Jul 2009, 12:48
I bought a Kia Carnival secondhand. It's a 2001 TDI. I have never had any major problems with it besides small things that must be repaired. It is by far the best vehicle I have ever bought, and I am proud of owning a Korean vehicle.
10th Jul 2009, 07:19
I purchased a second hand 2000 Kia Carnival 7 months ago. Had done 214,000km and drove really nice.
Had no knowledge of the problems they had, and once we got the car, had to get a few things like timing fixed, but even then it drove fine.
Just last week the engine with died no warning. The mechanic has said it is going to be around $4000 to fix, but we are putting a Mitsubishi engine in it, as it will be more reliable, rather than putting in another Kia engine.
Anyway, thought I might mention it for others out there.
7th Nov 2009, 18:29
I have a 2001 Kia Carnival, no real problems for 155,000 kms, but traces of oil appearing in coolant expansion container. Aware that considerable number of Carnivals have had this low mileage problem, leading to complete engine seizure, and denials by Kia that there is a problem. Tossing up what to do - buy another car (non-Kia) or replace engine, reportedly for about $9,000.
Could some-one tell me more about replacing the Kia engine with one from Mitsubishi, and rough cost.
6th Jul 2010, 21:28
I am not sure about Kia motors, but I have had a lot of success with other brands with oil in the water/water in the oil/head gasket/using water problems. I have drained the coolant and flushed the system, then added a product called Seal Up, there are other similar ones.
29th Dec 2010, 01:43
I have a pathetic 2003 Kia Carnival. Luckily I did not pay for it, I would never willing pay for a KIA of any type after the research and comments I have read. Even though we did not actually buy it, it has cost us thousand of dollars just keeping it going. KIA is the worst example of disregard for and callous treatment of its consumers. Does the company not understand, that no one who has purchased their shoddy product, would be foolish enough to buy another. Also, we are telling everyone who will listen just how crappy these cars are. I can't wait to get rid of mine, six more months and it's gone, I would rather pay extra for a Tarago any day.
16th Mar 2011, 17:32
I have a KIA Carnival 2.9 LS diesel engine, year 2000, is now 180,000 km.
Problems in 10 years of use:
- Gearbox (manual).
- A/C Compressor failure.
- Leaking fuel line.
- Leaking power steering pump.
- blowing fuses.
- Turbo leaking oil.
You get what you pay for.
20th Apr 2011, 00:26
I have had my Kia for just on ten years, I thought I was going well. Then 105000 kms later I have never ever seen more oil pour out of the radiator and pour onto the road. I bought the car new and serviced it regularly. Talk about a throw away society.
8th Jul 2011, 06:02
I have a 2000 model Kia Carnival, and at 170000 it hasn't missed a beat. You have to always use premium fuel and premium oil in any car if you want them to last; budget, and you will certainly cut short your car's lifespan.
2nd Feb 2012, 02:49
My Kia Carnival LS 2001, currently at 64K, is now diagnosed to have a possible blown engine, as oil is leaking from the top. I was just lucky the first time that it was shonkily fixed thru my extended warranty - I had to bring it back after 2 days to the Toyota dealer, due to oil in the radiator and the engine shaking too much. Now it has died, and so has my respect for future Kia cars. Anybody out there who has started a class suit against Kia, count me in.
6th Jul 2008, 20:56
The new Kia Grand Carnival has no technology sharing relationship with any mitsubishi engine. It is an entirely in-house design shared between various Kia and Hyundai vehicles, and is supremely superior to the engine powering the old carnival, which was supplied by Rover. The current generation Kia's and Hyundai's have come a very long way from having to rely on old technology from other manufacturers, whilst the previous carnival has earned mixed reputations, do not let bad experiences with it judge your perception of the current Carnival. They are a totally different kettle of fish. Anyway, you should prefer that the Kia use its own technology, as the companies incredible growth and huge increase in profits year by year demonstrate how far it has come, unlike mitsubishi, who continues to lose millions of dollars and is suffering alarming drops in global market share.