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Top issues
13 known problems · 2 high
high
Oil starvation from oil-filter O-ring mis-fit
2.2L D4HB CRDi turbo diesel
high
Injector and CP4 fuel-pump failure
2.2L D4HB CRDi turbo diesel
medium
Powered sliding-door electrical faults
All engines
Recalls
3 on recordREC-000793
2020-08-30
Defect: The alternator's positive terminal may not have been tightened to specification during assembly.
Hazard: A loose terminal may increase resistance and generate heat, risking an engine-bay fire.
Remedy: Kia dealer inspects/re-torques the alternator terminal, free of charge.
Affected: 2,241 units, Carnival 2019-2020
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-30
REC-005001
2021-12-01
Defect: A software issue with the Smart Junction Box (SJB) may cause a turn signal to activate in the opposite direction to that intended.
Hazard: Other road users may misjudge the vehicle's intended direction.
Remedy: Kia dealer SJB software update, free of charge.
Affected: YP Carnival 2014-2016
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-30
REC-005069
2022-03-01
Defect: The Airbag Control Unit (ACU) cover and EEPROM chip may have been produced with insufficient clearance.
Hazard: Airbag warning light may illuminate and airbags may fail to deploy.
Remedy: Kia dealer inspects/replaces the ACU, free of charge.
Affected: 40,816 units shared with Cerato and Soul; Carnival 2016-2018
Official notice: www.vehiclerecalls.gov.au · details checked 2026-09-30
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Before and after
Before: Grand Carnival VQ (2006-2014)
After: Carnival KA4 (2020-)
Price (AUD)
$15k-$40k
Body styles
5-door MPV (8-seat van)
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
Origin
Korea
Built in
South Korea
Overview
Sold from early 2015 in S, Si, SLi and Platinum grades, the YP-series Carnival (badged Sedona overseas) was the eight-seat van that finally made Kia's people-mover a default family choice in Australia - sliding doors both sides, a low flat floor, genuine adult room in all three rows and Kia's 7-year warranty from 2017. Only two engines were offered locally and both are front-wheel drive: a 3.3L G6DH Lambda II V6 petrol (206kW/336Nm) and the 2.2L D4HB R-series common-rail turbo diesel (147kW/440Nm), the latter being the volume seller for its torque and economy. A six-speed auto ran 2015 to early 2018, when the May 2018 facelift brought a new in-house eight-speed auto across the range. The early 2015 cars (pre-December 2015) carried a 4-star ANCAP rating before a redesigned pedal box and steering column lifted it to 5 stars. The diesel is the one to scrutinise: it is sensitive to oil level and service quality (high consumption, the infamous oil-filter O-ring mis-fit that has destroyed engines), with timing-chain and injector wear at higher km. Powered sliding-door electrical faults are the signature non-engine complaint across the range.
Engines & variants
3.3L G6DH V6 petrol
Engine
3.3L Lambda II GDI DOHC V6 (direct injection)
Engine code
Config
V6 NA
Displacement
3342cc
Power
206kW @ 6000rpm
Torque
336Nm @ 5200rpm
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
Economy
10.8-11.6 L/100km combined (13-15 real world)
Tow (braked)
2000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6AT (2015-2018), 8AT (2018-2020)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Smooth, quiet and strong - effortless with a full load
- No diesel emissions complexity (no DPF, EGR soot or oil dilution)
- Cheaper to buy than the diesel and simpler to maintain
- Refined V6 character suits a big family van
Cons
- Thirsty (13-15 L/100km real world), especially around town
- Far less torque-feel than the diesel for towing/hills
- Direct-injection intake-valve carbon over time
- Weaker resale than the popular diesel
Known problems
medium
Timing chain tensioner rattle (cold start)
The Lambda V6 timing-chain tensioner can lose the ability to hold pressure at rest, giving a brief rattle on cold start-up before oil pressure builds; ignored, a stretched chain risks valve timing damage.
Fix: Replace the tensioner(s) and chain/guides as a set; use correct-spec oil and keep up servicing.
low
Direct-injection intake-valve carbon
Like other GDI engines the G6DH has no port injection to wash the intake valves, so carbon builds up over time and can cause a rough idle or slight power loss.
Fix: Walnut-blast / intake clean as needed; quality fuel and regular oil changes slow it.
medium
Head gasket / oil leaks (early build)
Early Lambda V6s have a documented history of head-gasket weeps and general oil leaks; less common on the YP than on older 3.3s but worth a cold-engine inspection.
Fix: Inspect for weeping at the heads/covers; reseal or gasket as required.
2.2L D4HB CRDi turbo diesel
Engine
2.2L R-series common-rail turbo-diesel I4 (DPF)
Engine code
Config
I4 turbo
Displacement
2199cc
Power
147kW @ 3800rpm
Torque
440Nm @ 1750-2750rpm
Drivetrain
Front-wheel drive
Economy
7.6-7.7 L/100km combined (8.5-10 real world)
Tow (braked)
2000kg
Tow (unbraked)
750kg
Transmission
6AT (2015-2018), 8AT (2018-2020)
Timing chain / belt / gear
Chain-driven
Pros
- Strong 440Nm makes light work of a loaded van
- Genuinely economical for the size (low-8s on the highway)
- The volume seller, so plenty of choice on the used market
- Far better resale than the petrol
Cons
- High oil consumption - the engine must be checked between services
- DPF/EGR soot issues if used only for short urban trips
- Expensive piezo injectors and a fragile Bosch CP4 pump if fed bad fuel
- Timing chain can stretch and rattle by ~200,000km
Known problems
high
Oil starvation from oil-filter O-ring mis-fit
A documented Australian failure mode: a misfitted oil-filter housing O-ring after a service lets the engine lose oil pressure, with cases of a snapped conrod punching a hole in the block. Compounded by the engine's high oil consumption, owners who don't check the level between services have run them low.
Fix: Use a competent diesel-aware servicer, confirm the O-ring/filter housing is correctly seated, and check the dipstick every couple of tanks - this engine drinks oil.
medium
High oil consumption
The 2.2 CRDi is known to consume oil - up to ~0.5L/1000km with heavy use - which catches owners out and can lead to running it dangerously low.
Fix: Check oil regularly and top up; investigate if consumption climbs (turbo seals, injector seals, bores).
medium
Timing chain stretch / rattle
The D4HB chain can overstretch and the hydraulic tensioner suffer from poor or dirty oil, giving a top-end rattle by around 200,000km.
Fix: Replace chain, guides and tensioner; keep oil clean and changed on time to prolong chain life.
high
Injector and CP4 fuel-pump failure
The piezo injectors can cause rough running and the Bosch CP4 common-rail pump is intolerant of poor or contaminated diesel - a failing pump can shed metal that contaminates the whole fuel system.
Fix: Use clean fuel from reputable servos, change fuel filters on schedule; injector/pump rebuild or replacement by a diesel specialist if faulty.
medium
DPF / EGR soot clogging (urban use)
Short, stop-start city running stops the DPF reaching regeneration temperature and lets the EGR and intake soot up, triggering warning lights and limp mode.
Fix: Regular longer/highway runs to complete regens; DPF/EGR/intake clean if clogged.