I got my Kia brand new during a factory special deal - $29,999 on the road. It was a bog standard 4 sp auto, dual zone climate control, and with a DVD player! I asked the dealer regarding the poor reputation of the motor.. he assured me, that this issue was remedied with this model onwards, (manufactured March 2005, and compliance July 2005). True, I've driven 125,000 km without any problems apart from new MAF (mass air flow sensor a year ago), and two new CV joints last week. The battery lasted over 7 years! I'm so happy with this car, that I ...Read more

Like so many other people the engine on our 2004 LS Carnival has just died. Quoted $6000 to fix it, that's after finding a mechanic that would actually do it! Contacted the dealership where we bought it and they have contacted Kia on our behalf but are 99% sure they won't do anything because the car is 10 years old and anything can happen in that time. They also told me that the engine problems were rectified by 2002. That's funny because I have read a LOT of stories today from people with newer model cars than that with the same problem. I was...Read more

The economic climate today dictate that motoring needs to be as cheap as possible. The 2000 Carnival is without doubt the cheapest genuine seven seater on the road, while it's running well. The standard appointments, including effective built in audible alarm, and spacious comfort outclasses family sedans of the same period. It should be noted that the 2000 model has a rear three seater folding bench seat, whereas later models up to 2007 are equipped with two split seats and three seatbelts. The 2.5lt V6 generates sufficient power without bein...Read more

Yes I did buy a 2000 Carnival..yes it had a blown motor, but not due to bad design or head gasket failure...more likely due to an LPG conversion. As this fuel runs hotter than petrol the vehicle is probably not really suited to using gas.

Adding the conversion to a careless owner simply resulted in a melted piston. Any mechanic would know that a wet sleeve fitted to an engine block must stand slightly proud or leakage will certainly occur. The public distain for the 2.5L Kia helped me secure a $10,000 vehicle for a tenth of that price.....Read more

We bought this car x demo, it had 12thou on the clock . we went thru 3 new stereos all replaced under warrenty . when out of warrenty bought aftermarket job and had installed . then we only had minor issues with some rubber seals, on sway bar and rear strutts .and then a major engine gasket went just before the major service was due .that was expensive to repair, and then we had a sensor unit behind the dash go, and some electrics would work and some wouldn't .

that cost 500 to repair . but really apart from these the car has been good ...Read more

We purchased a 2004 Kia Carnival for 8000.00 dollars in June 2012 and was told by the Salesman " it is a terrific car and you will have no problems with the car". One month later major compression problems, No warranty on car over ten years of age. National Warranty Company says it's a manufacturing fault so knocked our claim back. Kia says not a fault of there's anymore. Unfortunately like thousands of other people we now have had to scrap the car because neither my daughter or myself can afford the 10 thousand repair job and as a single mu...Read more

We purchased a brand-new KIA Carnival LS 2005 model for $29,995 in late 2005. We looked after the car well, and had all servicing done by our trusted, registered family mechanic (who we've been using and recommending for more than 20 years). 3 weeks ago (in November 2012) I sold our Kia Carnival to a wrecker for $400. It had 152,000 km on it,

It was a friend of ours that sold the car to us; he managed the local dealership. His wife told me 3 years ago (in 2009) to trade-in the car because they had had dinner with the manager of Kia Australi...Read more

It is a pity that consumer protection bodies here in Australia either don’t have real teeth or are compromised politically or otherwise. We purchased a new KIA Carnival LS 2003 model in January 2004. We maintained it with timely services and still experienced our fair share of costly repairs until the engined suddenly ceased without warning at 162,000 kms.

We wrote to KIA Australia seeking authenticity and leadership with regards to known factory defaults with Carnival engines. KIA’s response was pathetic. There are a lot of indignant and d...Read more

My husband and I bought a second hand 2004 model carnival in April 2011, we liked the look and wanted a reliable people mover as we were considering extending our family. We paid $12 000, and also purchased a extended 3 yr warranty for $1500 from the dealer, as the car had only just clocked over 55 000 km. We drove it for 4 months and on returning from a weekend break in August, I noticed that it was making a funny noise and then it started to stall at times, it had just clocked
60 000 so I took it in for it's service where it was discovers ...Read more

Bought a 2000 model in late 2004 with 80,000 km on the clock. Minor problems with it including spark plugs, some of the fittings, wheel trims rattling, power steering hose leak, warped discs. I believe that the motor had been replaced before we bought it. We have done 100,000Km, including long distance touring and lots of city driving, and a trip to the Northern Flinders Ranges (lots of dirt roads) and really had no major problems. Had the timing belts replaced at 155,000.
I have found it to be way underpowered when loaded (2A 4kids+ holiday ...Read more