[AU] Kia Carnival Platinum MY17 - Dead Head Unit

33646 Views 128 Replies 41 Participants Last post by dsando, 2 d ago

jolt77

Discussion Starter · Dec 11, 2019

Hi guys

Just thought I'd share some more recent issues with the head unit in my Kia Carnival Platinum MY17, I've never been completely happy with it, lots of bugs in the software and finally and unexpectedly it recently just gave up the ghost completely.

Here's a video of the brick I now have sitting in my dash, well, sometimes it's a light up brick I guess but that just makes it hard to focus on the road when driving at night!
Dead Head Unit

After a visit to the dealership and many conversations with Kia Australia they're going to replace it ... when stock becomes available and they haven't given me any timeframe about that at all.

FYI, in Australia at least, the pre-facelift YP model head units were made by Motrex, not Kia themselves. Through a friend who used to work at Kia Australia, they had lots of problems with Motrex sourced head units and that's why the facelifted YP got a Kia made head unit instead, the one with CarPlay and Android Auto.

I have asked and have pushed, but don't like my chances, to get one of the later head units as I've already had my head unit replaced once before and have been in at least 5 times due to problems with the head unit, some were fixed and some I just resigned myself to live with.

Has anyone else had their 2015+ Kia Carnival Platinum head units replaced?

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gbomerjnr

· #2 · Dec 11, 2019

jolt77 said:
Hi guys

Just thought I'd share some more recent issues with the head unit in my Kia Carnival Platinum MY17, I've never been completely happy with it, lots of bugs in the software and finally and unexpectedly it recently just gave up the ghost completely.

Here's a video of the brick I now have sitting in my dash, well, sometimes it's a light up brick I guess but that just makes it hard to focus on the road when driving at night!
Dead Head Unit

After a visit to the dealership and many conversations with Kia Australia they're going to replace it ... when stock becomes available and they haven't given me any timeframe about that at all.

FYI, in Australia at least, the pre-facelift YP model head units were made by Motrex, not Kia themselves. Through a friend who used to work at Kia Australia, they had lots of problems with Motrex sourced head units and that's why the facelifted YP got a Kia made head unit instead, the one with CarPlay and Android Auto.

I have asked and have pushed, but don't like my chances, to get one of the later head units as I've already had my head unit replaced once before and have been in at least 5 times due to problems with the head unit, some were fixed and some I just resigned myself to live with.

Has anyone else had their 2015+ Kia Carnival Platinum head units replaced?

I have had similar problems 2017 platinum, buttons not responding, radio turns on full volume when going into park. Rear fan control not adjustable independently, black screen brick mode sometimes.

Always seems to come back eventually.

Told kia several times, they have updated the software at least twice, or at least told me they have. They are pretty useless. Ive also asked for updated facelift head unit as late as last week, got told it would be programmable to pre facelift.

Unless we find a wrecked/ totaled facelift and try it ourselves.

Or have to go aftermarket and loose almost all functionality with climate control and nav buttons through the screen.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

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jolt77

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 11, 2019

Good to know I'm not the only one. Mine died about 2-3 weeks ago and hasn't come back to life at all. I have previously been told the software / firmware had been updated at least on 2 occasions in addition to completely replacing the head unit too.

Did you just deal with the dealership or with Kia Australia themselves?

gbomerjnr

· #4 · Dec 11, 2019

Just kia parramatta ..

We also got told we were liars at one stage when we had the car arm itself whilst on.. after it was drivin and parked. Wife jumped out at home for a quick toilet break to come back ..kids in car car on and armed.

Apparently car shouldnt lock if keys in car.

So wife was told she was lying

And it was only do to auto lock settings and that we shouldn't have left keys in caR while on

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jolt77

Discussion Starter · #5 · Dec 12, 2019

Well some good news, new head unit going into the car next Thursday if all goes according to plan ...

The head unit will be coming from Motrex but will not be the one you have at the moment. This is hopefully going to rectify your issue.

Unfortunately we can’t not use a Motrex head unit as replacing with a different branded head unit may create problems with compatibility and can’t be connected.

[The new head unit has the] same functionality and I just confirmed still with a CD player.

This is a new version of the current head unit, the difference is in the CPU and how it runs. This was advised by the Motrex technician.

Reactions: 1

gbomerjnr

· #6 · Dec 12, 2019

jolt77 said:
Well some good news, new head unit going into the car next Thursday if all goes according to plan ...

The head unit will be coming from Motrex but will not be the one you have at the moment. This is hopefully going to rectify your issue.

Unfortunately we can’t not use a Motrex head unit as replacing with a different branded head unit may create problems with compatibility and can’t be connected.

[The new head unit has the] same functionality and I just confirmed still with a CD player.

This is a new version of the current head unit, the difference is in the CPU and how it runs. This was advised by the Motrex technician.

So precedence has been set

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jolt77

Discussion Starter · #7 · Dec 18, 2019

Head unit was replaced today, it is visually the same model from all indications but it is noticeably faster to operate, so it does feel like it's got an updated CPU.

Fingers crossed it lasts, will keep you guys posted if it doesn't!

gbomerjnr

· #8 · Feb 12, 2020

Mjbent said:
Hi Guys,

I was literally googling this issue and found this post. So first time on these forums.

I have an AU 2016 Kia Carnival Platinum with the exact same issue. Brick head unit with the occasional white light on the screen.I am covered by warranty and have spoken to Kia but the issue is there is a huge back log of these items and are currently between 12-15 weeks!

Thats insane and my wife wont drive it without the cameras.......

So I have sourced a 2019 head unit from a wreckers and installed that today. I have almost everything working on there but would help if I have the wiring diagram for the 2019 head unit. Anyone know where I could find this info? Ive tried calling Kia and the Servicec teams who refuse to give me this info.

Any help would be great.

Cheers from Sydney

What is left for it to be fully working?

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Euey

· #9 · Jun 27, 2020

jolt77 said:
Hi guys

Just thought I'd share some more recent issues with the head unit in my Kia Carnival Platinum MY17, I've never been completely happy with it, lots of bugs in the software and finally and unexpectedly it recently just gave up the ghost completely.

Here's a video of the brick I now have sitting in my dash, well, sometimes it's a light up brick I guess but that just makes it hard to focus on the road when driving at night!
Dead Head Unit

After a visit to the dealership and many conversations with Kia Australia they're going to replace it ... when stock becomes available and they haven't given me any timeframe about that at all.

FYI, in Australia at least, the pre-facelift YP model head units were made by Motrex, not Kia themselves. Through a friend who used to work at Kia Australia, they had lots of problems with Motrex sourced head units and that's why the facelifted YP got a Kia made head unit instead, the one with CarPlay and Android Auto.

I have asked and have pushed, but don't like my chances, to get one of the later head units as I've already had my head unit replaced once before and have been in at least 5 times due to problems with the head unit, some were fixed and some I just resigned myself to live with.

Has anyone else had their 2015+ Kia Carnival Platinum head units replaced?

I had mine replaced with a refurbished one, with out my approval I was under the impression I was getting a new one. The units appear to have major faults but they replace them with same used units. Kia's after market services is a disgrace in my opinion I cant see myself buying another one at this stage. Looking at your video it is the same fault

gigirom

· #10 · Mar 25, 2021

Not sure why but it looks like my post was removed.

Victoria Australia, Kia Chadtsone, Kia Carnival Platinum MY17 2.2 Diesel.

Multimedia stopped working, went to the dealership on Jan 21st, they diagnosed the issue and told me that it was a known issue.
New unit ordered and was told it will take between 2-4 weeks.

It has been 8+ weeks since, the dealership has no ETA and keeps blaming Kia Australia for not providing the part.

I have consulted with Consumer Affairs and have applied for VCAT to support.

This is not the kind of customer service anyone would expect. I am furious and disappointed - wanted to let you know.

Reactions: 1

Battler

· #11 · Apr 8, 2021

gigirom said:
Kia Carnival Platinum MY17 2.2 Diesel.

Multimedia stopped working, went to the dealership on Jan 21st, they diagnosed the issue and told me that it was a known issue.
New unit ordered and was told it will take between 2-4 weeks.

This is not the kind of customer service anyone would expect. I am furious and disappointed - wanted to let you know.

Same problem, head unit died in Jan, visited local Kia in Sydney for warranty job early Feb, now ~8 weeks later and dealer is blaming head office (and Covid!!).
Just this dealer has half a dozen or so of same, so the number nationwide must be huge.
Not good enough Kia.

gigirom

· #12 · Apr 8, 2021

It sounds to me that Kia should be announcing an official recall rather than treat this as sporadic incidents. Customer satisfaction is clearly not their top-of-mind.

I wrote to Kia Australia, they committed to get back to me shortly, its been 3 weeks since.

Reactions: 1

gigirom

· #13 · Apr 9, 2021

gigirom said:
It sounds to me that Kia should be announcing an official recall rather than treat this as sporadic incidents. Customer satisfaction is clearly not their top-of-mind.

I wrote to Kia Australia, they committed to get back to me shortly, its been 3 weeks since.

Just received a call from head office Kia Australia, the headunit has been dispatched and is expected to reach the dealership in the next few days. I asked them to explain the reason for the backlog of 13 weeks, he could not give an answer...

I have his contact details if anyone needs to reach head office directly.

Will keep you posted on the progress.

Reactions: 1

Battler

· #14 · Apr 9, 2021

I reached out to Kia Facebook and their customer care will contact me (eventually i guess). If that fails I will contact you via here if that's OK.

gigirom

· #15 · Apr 10, 2021

Battler said:
I reached out to Kia Facebook and their customer care will contact me (eventually i guess). If that fails I will contact you via here if that's OK.

Sure, feel free.

Craignebo

· #16 · Apr 13, 2021

Mine is the MY2016 platinum version and it died last week. Took it to Kia today who confirmed it needs to be replaced. 8 week wait but they will call me to confirm.

This is a ongoing issue ACCC should be aware of, I think Kia need to do more and recall and replace all units.

Reactions: 2

gigirom

· #17 · Apr 13, 2021

Craignebo said:
Mine is the MY2016 platinum version and it died last week. Took it to Kia today who confirmed it needs to be replaced. 8 week wait but they will call me to confirm.

This is a ongoing issue ACCC should be aware of, I think Kia need to do more and recall and replace all units.

100% agree, thanks to this forum I am now aware of at least two dozen cars who suffer from the same issue and frustrated owners who don't seem to get reasonable timeline support from Kia. With the new Kia Carnival campaign launch, this news going out will surely impact the public opinion and impact sales.

BruceMclaren

· #18 · Apr 17, 2021

Just signed up purely to follow this thread. I'm looking to purchase a diesel Kia Carnival Platinum MY2016/17 in the coming months and given the most recent post was just 4 days ago it seems like there's a chance I may face this issue too.

Since the head unit also controls well most things, am I correct in assuming that when it dies, a lot of other functionality dies with it?

Scoot2000

· #19 · Apr 18, 2021

BruceMclaren said:
Just signed up purely to follow this thread. I'm looking to purchase a diesel Kia Carnival Platinum MY2016/17 in the coming months and given the most recent post was just 4 days ago it seems like there's a chance I may face this issue too.

Since the head unit also controls well most things, am I correct in assuming that when it dies, a lot of other functionality dies with it?

Mine just died, the behaviour is identical to that described at the start of this thread.
It's fairly desirable to have the head unit working. Without it there's no navigation, no multimedia (Bluetooth, radio, etc), no parking cameras, you can't see any of the climate control settings (for all I know it works, but you can't see what temperature you're on or anything like that). The parking sensors still work (the display for that is in the instrument cluster).
Previous to this I've had a few cases where I needed to "reboot" the car (turn it off, lock it, then hop back in) to get the head unit working again, and some slightly irritating software bugs.

Reactions: 1

BruceMclaren

· #20 · Apr 18, 2021

Scoot2000 said:
Mine just died, the behaviour is identical to that described at the start of this thread.
It's fairly desirable to have the head unit working. Without it there's no navigation, no multimedia (Bluetooth, radio, etc), no parking cameras, you can't see any of the climate control settings (for all I know it works, but you can't see what temperature you're on or anything like that). The parking sensors still work (the display for that is in the instrument cluster).
Previous to this I've had a few cases where I needed to "reboot" the car (turn it off, lock it, then hop back in) to get the head unit working again, and some slightly irritating software bugs.

Thanks Scoot2000

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