2004 Kia Carnival LS from Australia and New Zealand - Comments

No problems with the car after over 34000 kms.

Carnival does all I expected of the car, and does it well.

Ventilation is excellent,

We have done several multi thousand kms trips in comfort and without complaints from our 4 kids 10 to 17 years of age.

Purchased my KIA Carnival only 3400kms on it and it has an oil leak. The vehicle when we received it had thousands of white specks all over it eventually they replaced the windscreen and it still has the white specks all over the rest of the car. We purchased the vehicle in June when KIA had the free DVD player and have had the batteries the ear phones come with leak and damage one set of ear phones. At first the dealer refused to replace them, but I insisted they be replaced under warranty as I did not put the batteries in it. The new set they gave me are now not working and I have given up and bought a set from an electronics outlet. After 3400kms I only hope it gets better from here because I am certainly not happy with the dealer's attitude (John Armstrong Group, Toowoomba, QLD) to date. The dealer should be ashamed of the service they has given thus far.

We have a carnival 2004 LS. I bought this car new and driven for 2 years and 50000 KM with no problem at all.

We bought a brand new kia carnival last june of last yr. just a week after, we noticed that the temperature gauge wasnt working. we had kia look at it and they told us they can't fix it yet as they still have to wait for the parts to arrive. 4 months after, the airconditioning broke down, the radio antenna started to malfunction, when you turn the engine off you can still hear the fan. now, 9 1/2 months after we bought the car brand new, it finally, broke down. we were travelling on a highway on our way to the airport, with our 3 yr. old and 5 month old kids, when I noticed a noise coming from the front. it appears everytime my husband would step on the accelerator. as we were travelling on the highway, we have to maintain a speed of 100kms/hr. but the car wouldn't go that fast anymore, it slowed down from a 100 to 80 to 60 until it went to a stop. and there was smoke. it was 1 in the afternoon, too hot, but we had no choice, but to take our kids out of the car before they suffocate.

Kia gave us a car to use - but only for 5 days. the service center told us it may take upto 2 wks. before they can have it fixed as they have to replace the engine and also its easter holiday. we had to return the 1st car they lent us and gave us a much smaller car - still, just for 5 days use. on tues 18 april, we have to return that car back to them and we are worried we won't have any car to use from that day until the day they get to fix our car. we don't wanna spend on a car hire. this is just too much hassle for us. to think that the kia carnival was my dream car... now we regret having bought it. we are so unhappy with it and we are so unsatisfied with the service that we are getting from the dealers and from kia.

I purchased a KIA Carnival in September 2004, I had all the extras added for protection etc. A week after delivery we took it back to have the tow bar added, well the electrical end they put on it was for mounting, and every time I tried to connect the trailer the part that KIA installed it fell out. When I asked them about this, they said that was the norm.

So now I have been going to a mechanic closer to home. It gets serviced as close to date as possible, it is now 6 months out of warranty and only done 71,000 klms, The KIA chugs when started and sounds like it is missing. I took it to my mechanic 4,000 klms before service is due and he has informed me that the engine has a problem that will possibly cost lots to fix. He told me that the problem is to do with a cylinder and the head gasket and the sleeve. My mechanic did not charge me for seeing him, but warned me that although the Carnival is only 3 and a half years old and only done 71,000 klms, it is now more than likely worthless. I was advised to contact KIA which I did; they told me to go see an auto electrician, as this will be the problem. They are too busy to look at my car.

When I dispose of this vehicle, I will never touch KIA again, and I will do everything I can to warn others.

$38,000 into 3.5 years is not good enough, and from what I now read on forums around Australia and worldwide, I am one of a large number of fools.

My boss gave me a 2nd hand KIA Carnival 2000 model as my service unit. At first I don't expect it to perform well because of the comments that I have received from other people who used to own this kind of vehicle and its brand.

The first day I drive the car I noticed the comfort and the ease, while I cruised from one place to another, and its superb air conditioning system, which I have not experienced from other cars that I previously owned.

I used the car in visiting farms and rugged roads, and I also noticed its superb suspension as if I am driving a brand new car, considering that it's already 7 years old.

My boss referred me to his mechanic if ever I have any complaint with regards to his Carnival. I only visited him just for periodic maintenance, change oil, and replaced two of its upper engine supports.

I'm satisfied with my old KIA Carnival, maybe because my Boss knows how to maintain his car well and he has the best KIA mechanic in town...