KIA CADENZA
View complaints and recalls by year, or see all recent reports below.
KIA CADENZA Summary
7
Model Years
13
Total Complaints
12
Total Recalls
2014 - 2020
Year Range
Select Year
Recent Recalls
2016 KIA CADENZA
1730192 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
2014 KIA CADENZA
30362 vehicles affected
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling all 2014-2016 Cadenza vehicles. During manufacturing, the front windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach.
Risk: A front windshield that detaches from a vehicle can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
2020 KIA CADENZA
451 vehicles affected
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Cadenza vehicles. The rear power windows can be operated by the driver's power window main switch after the ignition has been turned off and a front door is opened. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Risk: Rear power windows that operate unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
2019 KIA CADENZA
379931 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
2017 KIA CADENZA
47 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Cadenza vehicles. The brake vacuum hose on the affected vehicles may kink, reducing braking performance.
Risk: Reduced braking performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
2014 KIA CADENZA
3107 vehicles affected
WHEELS
Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Cadenza vehicles manufactured February 1, 2013, through August 27, 2013, and equipped with 19" non-chrome aluminum wheels. The wheels on the affected vehicles may fracture from impacts such as large, deep potholes.
Risk: A wheel fracture could cause the circular rim to separate, resulting in a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recent Complaints
2018 KIA CADENZA
ID: 2127819ENGINE
Vehicle has been properly maintained and at 78k miles, while at a stop sign, the engine seized. No warning signs from vehicle appeared.
2016 KIA CADENZA
ID: 2126333ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am submitting this complaint regarding a 2016 Kia Cadenza (VIN: [XXX] ) and Kia’s repeated failure to properly diagnose or repair a serious overheating/safety defect despite this being a well-documented and known issue affecting these engines. Vehicle and Service Information •Vehicle: 2016 Kia Cadenza (VIN: [XXX] ) •Mileage: ~129,608 •Dealer Involved: Central Kia of Plano (Plano, TX) •Repair Order #: [XXX] •Dates: [XXX] Issues 1.Overheating / Known Engine Defect •My vehicle overheats, especially with the A/C on or at idle. •Kia has already been directed to issue extended warranties on these engines due to systemic defects (including bearing wear, engine failure, and overheating). •Despite this, Kia continues to deny or delay proper repairs and instead authorized the dealer to replace only a cooling fan relay, which did not fix the defect. 2.Dealer Misconduct •Central Kia of Plano kept my vehicle for 10 days, charged me $269.92, and returned the vehicle still overheating. •I was told a Techline case would be submitted, but I have confirmed this was never done. 3.Incomplete Recall Repairs •I requested completion of open recalls: •SC232 – Windshield Bonding •SC284VG – HECU Fire Risk •The dealer marked one as complete and the other as pending, but I have no confirmation in Kia’s system that either was properly completed. 4.Corporate Inaction •I have multiple open cases with Kia Corporate, but they have failed to escalate or reassign me to a reputable dealer. •Despite the extended warranty obligation, Kia has not replaced the engine or confirmed a permanent repair. Why I Am Contacting NHTSA •This is not an isolated issue — it is a known safety defect across these engines. •Kia has been required to extend warranties for this exact defect but is failing to honor that coverage by stalling, misdiagnosing, and leaving vehicles unsafe. •My vehicle remains unsafe to drive INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2016 KIA CADENZA
ID: 2126332UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I am submitting this complaint regarding a 2016 Kia Cadenza (VIN: [XXX] ) and Kia’s repeated failure to properly diagnose or repair a serious overheating/safety defect despite this being a well-documented and known issue affecting these engines. Vehicle and Service Information •Vehicle: 2016 Kia Cadenza (VIN: [XXX] ) •Mileage: ~129,608 •Dealer Involved: Central Kia of Plano (Plano, TX) •Repair Order #: [XXX] •Dates: [XXX] Issues 1.Overheating / Known Engine Defect •My vehicle overheats, especially with the A/C on or at idle. •Kia has already been directed to issue extended warranties on these engines due to systemic defects (including bearing wear, engine failure, and overheating). •Despite this, Kia continues to deny or delay proper repairs and instead authorized the dealer to replace only a cooling fan relay, which did not fix the defect. 2.Dealer Misconduct •Central Kia of Plano kept my vehicle for 10 days, charged me $269.92, and returned the vehicle still overheating. •I was told a Techline case would be submitted, but I have confirmed this was never done. 3.Incomplete Recall Repairs •I requested completion of open recalls: •SC232 – Windshield Bonding •SC284VG – HECU Fire Risk •The dealer marked one as complete and the other as pending, but I have no confirmation in Kia’s system that either was properly completed. 4.Corporate Inaction •I have multiple open cases with Kia Corporate, but they have failed to escalate or reassign me to a reputable dealer. •Despite the extended warranty obligation, Kia has not replaced the engine or confirmed a permanent repair. Why I Am Contacting NHTSA •This is not an isolated issue — it is a known safety defect across these engines. •Kia has been required to extend warranties for this exact defect but is failing to honor that coverage by stalling, misdiagnosing, and leaving vehicles unsafe. •My vehicle remains unsafe to drive INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2016 KIA CADENZA
ID: 2126331ENGINE
I am submitting this complaint regarding a 2016 Kia Cadenza (VIN: [XXX] ) and Kia’s repeated failure to properly diagnose or repair a serious overheating/safety defect despite this being a well-documented and known issue affecting these engines. Vehicle and Service Information •Vehicle: 2016 Kia Cadenza (VIN: [XXX] ) •Mileage: ~129,608 •Dealer Involved: Central Kia of Plano (Plano, TX) •Repair Order #: [XXX] •Dates: [XXX] Issues 1.Overheating / Known Engine Defect •My vehicle overheats, especially with the A/C on or at idle. •Kia has already been directed to issue extended warranties on these engines due to systemic defects (including bearing wear, engine failure, and overheating). •Despite this, Kia continues to deny or delay proper repairs and instead authorized the dealer to replace only a cooling fan relay, which did not fix the defect. 2.Dealer Misconduct •Central Kia of Plano kept my vehicle for 10 days, charged me $269.92, and returned the vehicle still overheating. •I was told a Techline case would be submitted, but I have confirmed this was never done. 3.Incomplete Recall Repairs •I requested completion of open recalls: •SC232 – Windshield Bonding •SC284VG – HECU Fire Risk •The dealer marked one as complete and the other as pending, but I have no confirmation in Kia’s system that either was properly completed. 4.Corporate Inaction •I have multiple open cases with Kia Corporate, but they have failed to escalate or reassign me to a reputable dealer. •Despite the extended warranty obligation, Kia has not replaced the engine or confirmed a permanent repair. Why I Am Contacting NHTSA •This is not an isolated issue — it is a known safety defect across these engines. •Kia has been required to extend warranties for this exact defect but is failing to honor that coverage by stalling, misdiagnosing, and leaving vehicles unsafe. •My vehicle remains unsafe to drive INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2014 KIA CADENZA
ID: 2093375ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle independently went into LIMP Mode and failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights flashed on the instrument panel. The contact was able to coast the vehicle over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic, and it was discovered that there was no oil in the engine. A diagnostic test was performed; however, no oil leaks or failures were discovered. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer for service. The mechanic added oil to the engine and the contact drove to the local dealer. The contact was informed that an oil change was needed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was not covered under recall or warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.
2016 KIA CADENZA
ID: 2090865VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
The contact owns a 2016 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that there was water and air leaking through the windshield of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V158000 (Visibility); however, the dealer inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the repair was not necessary. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the car wash, a significant amount of water leaked through the windshield, causing the contact to be soaked. The contact stated that upon attempting to wipe the interior of the windshield, the windshield was unsecured and almost separated from the vehicle. The contact stated that the windshield could be pushed forward. The contact was able to put the windshield back into place. The dealer was not informed of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
2014 KIA CADENZA
ID: 2083472UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Interior door handle chrome has delaminated. Both my wife and my hand have been sliced open on it.
2014 KIA CADENZA
ID: 2082856ENGINE
The engine started smoking and knocking really bad. Took it to the kia dealership and was told a piston o ring and gasket went bad because of heavy oil consumption that caused antifreeze to leak inside the motor while sitting still and this was causing the burning smell because the cylinder had gone bad because of this. The dealership states this was a known issue with all kias from this year and should be under recall. So I called kia because the car only has 80k miles and they informed me it's not apart of the open recall because it's a cadenza. What if I hadn't went back outside and seen the smoke and the car caught fire and burned my home down. It seems like kia knows all of these motors are bad and trying to keep it secret
2014 KIA CADENZA
ID: 2079220SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer informed the contact that parts were on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
2014 KIA CADENZA
ID: 2079076VISIBILITY
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that the windshield was inspected under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V158000 (Visibility), and it was determined that the windshield had not detached so the windshield was not replaced. The contact stated that after the windshield was inspected, the contact noticed that the windshield was detaching on the driver's side lower corner, causing water to leak into the vehicle. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who confirmed the failure, and that the windshield needed to be replaced; however, the VIN was no longer included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000. The VIN was not available.