Kia Cadenza Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 218 consumer complaints across the 6 model years of the Kia Cadenza (2014–2019) that have at least 5 complaints. 2014 has the most, with 111. Across all years, the part named most often is engine (64 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Cadenza years →
All Cadenza model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 5 | 74,000 | 1 | 41 | — | Not enough data |
| 2018 | 7 | 5,625 | 1 | 51 | — | Not enough data |
| 2017 | 33 | 17,000 | 2 | 72 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2016 | 14 | 42,674 | 2 | 76 | — | Not enough data |
| 2015 | 48 | 45,559 | 2 | 96 | 25 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2014 | 111 | 48,500 | 3 | 117 | 79 · More | Rising |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine64 27%
- Brakes35 15%
- Other or unknown34 14%
- Electrical system33 14%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)29 12%
- Steering18 7.6%
- Body and structure12 5.1%
- Fuel system11 4.7%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2015: “While driving home my vehicle began to smoke and leave fumes within the car. I pulled the vehicle immediately to inspect to find that my kickplate was on fire from below the kickplate. I pulled the panel off and doused out the flame. Now with the vehicle home I do not feel safe driving this vehicle knowing something like this is even remotely possible.”
NHTSA complaint #11207099, filed 2019-05, 55,950 miles2017: “Outside air temp sensor has defect. It reads 32 degrees f. When temps are over 80 f outside. Won't allow auto air conditioning to work. The engine emission control warning light comes on and stays on. Have had in the dealership 3 times and they keep telling me my gas cap is not sealing. It's reset and it comes back on again.”
NHTSA complaint #11110901, filed 2018-07, 3,000 miles2014: “The factory-installed windshield was installed incorrectly. I had it in the shop multiple times over the years for leaks and the tech would always say he could not find a leak. Now I can lightly push on the windshield from the inside and it pushes out/moves. Whooshing sound when driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11342953, filed 2020-08, 140,000 milesOther Kia models
10,219 complaintsKia Optima
7,532 complaintsKia Soul
5,579 complaintsKia Sportage
4,713 complaintsKia Forte
2,560 complaintsKia Sedona
2,415 complaintsKia Telluride
2,058 complaintsKia Sephia
1,701 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology