2000 Kia Carnival GS 2.9 turbo diesel

Summary:

Comfy, but Troublesome

Faults:

Some chain in the engine snapped off at 15K. This resulted in engine block damage and great vibration from the engine (it felt like I was driving a sluggish truck on rocky road). The dealer said that the some generations of the KIA Carnival had faulty units.

After the engine chain and all other damaged parts are replaced, the automatic transmission took turn to fail at the same distance (15K). The car simply did not want to move on any transmission position. Had to be replaced with a brand new transmission unit block under warranty. I wonder how much cost if the transmission failed by the time warranty was over. This replacement took the dealer more than 3 months to do so.

Parking brake has never done its job. It was simply just an interior decoration. The parking brake never break the car from moving even I pulled the lever hard up. The dealer said that there's a bad construction on the parking brake.

Oil leakages were everywhere. I mean everywhere, not only from engine, but also from power steering and brakes.

Power steering gave me a constant headache. I had to replace the power steering seals on every less than 20K. It seemed that the power steering could not handle the heavy KIA Carnival Turbo Diesel.

Once the turbo started to whistle, I could see nothing, but thick black smoke from my mirror.

The brake pads are worn out easily.

General Comments:

Apart from engine and suspension troubles, here are the good points of the car:

The cabin is very roomy and comfy.

The sound proof is really good.

The model of the car itself is good.

Very good car for long distance travel.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 6th November, 2006

2000 Kia Carnival

Summary:

Compared to the good price, the car is excellent

Faults:

1. At 10.000 km my Carnival had a problem with the right front suspension system. This noise was noticed when it reached 1000 km. The agent replaced it for free as a manufacturer defect. But after 12.000 km, the same noise started again. I suspected that the suspension system centerline was the problem?

2. Wheel alignment fixed after a few inspections by the agent.

3. Tyre type is not comfortable on express highway or the sealing system is incorrect. Noisy sound when driving above 100 km per hour.

4. Noise at the right sliding door was fixed by myself. Rubber holder at the middle level needed adjustment.

5. Back pressure noise in the exhaust system when reaching 110 km per hour at +/- 3500 RPM.

6. No touch-up paint is available to fix small scratches.

General Comments:

Generally this a good car you can buy at a reasonable price. The service provided by the agent is excellent. But it is disappointing if you have to visit the dealer regularly for the guarantee claims.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th July, 2001

21st Jan 2005, 03:02

On your noise in the exhaust pipe: is it a Carnival 2.9 Diesel you're driving? My 2000 Carnival broke down. Reason: oil came into the engine through the turbo. Normally this would burn, but not it it's too much. Closer examination at the mechanic showed that above 3000 rpm indeed oil would start leaking from tubes that would normsally enter the turbo. Could this be the cause of your afterburn? We're still looking for a solution: anyone?