2014 Kia Cadenza Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 2014 Cadenza most often describe engine problems — oil consumption, ticking or knocking noises, stalling and smoke — along with a cluster of complaints about the windshield bonding, sunroof glass, and the ABS/electronic brake control unit covered by recall 23V652000. Complaints come in across a wide mileage range, from a few thousand miles to well past 100,000, and many describe symptoms that appeared gradually before a sudden failure.

1. 1
   Engine

   Engine noise, oil loss, stalling and smoke

   • 33 complaints (30%)
   • median 62,000 mi at 6.5 yrs old (17 state mileage)
   • 4 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2025

   Owners describe ticking or rattling on cold start, knocking, heavy oil consumption found with no visible leak, loss of power or limp mode at speed, and gray or white smoke from under the hood. Several complaints say the engine stalled or cut out in traffic, and some report the dealer replaced short block or engine assemblies. Others describe timing chain tensioner noise that a dealer initially called normal. Spread from about 19,000 to 177,000 miles, with many reports between roughly 60,000 and 90,000 miles and often on cold starts or during acceleration.

   6 related service bulletins

   What to check: Listen for a cold-start tick or rattle, check the oil level and condition, look for smoke or a burnt smell, and ask whether the engine has been replaced or any oil pressure switch, cylinder head gasket, or engine sub-assembly warranty work was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I was traveling on city street at 35 miles per hour when engine has stalled suddenly, without any warning. I lost power steering and barely made it to the side of the road moving by inertia. I was very lucky there was no car behind me and I was able to stop safely. If there would be other traffic situation, such problem with the car could possibly result in fatal accident. The car was towed to grossinger Kia dealer in lincolnwood, il”

   NHTSA complaint #11170199, filed 2019-01, 47,000 miles

   “On cold start there is a clicking noise which is coming from the timing chain tensioner. When I look it up it tells me the years that were affected were 2014-2016. Even though it was such a common issue why was there no recall on it to be replaced?”

   NHTSA complaint #11402749, filed 2021-03, 88,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   ABS/electronic brake control unit fire risk and warning

   • 43 complaints (39%)
   • median 56,000 mi at 7.2 yrs old (15 state mileage)
   • 5 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2026

   Owners describe smoke or fire from the engine compartment, erratic electronics, stalling, and ABS and check engine lights, with the hydraulic electronic control unit identified as the cause in some cases. Many complaints are about recall 23V652000 — owners report the remedy part was not available and the vehicle sat unused or was parked outside while they waited. Others describe the electronic parking brake and Auto Hold sticking on and ABS warning lights coming on. Reported from around 40,000 to 136,000 miles, often noticed while driving or after the car was parked.

   Recall 23V652000

   What to check: Confirm by VIN that recall 23V652000 was completed (HECU fuse replacement) and get proof; watch for ABS, traction control, or Auto Hold lights and check whether the electronic parking brake releases cleanly.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Parking brake used on decline to park at store parking lot when tried to release to move forward would not engage. Per manual released for a few yards then autohold yellow warning light & ABS warning light came on after loud brake noise & smoke but auto hold locked brakes immedietly unable to move even if I wanted to. I have been checking for recalls there is one on hyundai & Kia that could be similar but not on this car had dealr check brakes 5500 miles b4?”

   NHTSA complaint #11389014, filed 2021-01, 40,080 miles

   “Backed into a parking spot and engaged the epb. I heard the usual motor sound except it kept sounding for about 30 seconds. I disengaged the epb and put the car in drive to pull forward and the auto hold and electrical power brake (epb) got stuck and would not released although it was not showing on the dash as active and then, I tried to go forward and the auto hold and epb lights came on and were amber. I turned the car off waited a few minutes hoping for a reset and turn the car on and the auto hold and epb were no longer displayed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11349770, filed 2020-08, 55,000 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Sunroof glass shattering on its own

   • 13 complaints (12%)
   • median 38,000 mi at 4.3 yrs old (11 state mileage)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2015–2025

   Owners report the panoramic sunroof glass breaking with a loud bang while driving at highway speed, with glass falling into the cabin; most say nothing struck the vehicle. Some complaints note the dealer attributed the break to impact or cabin pressure instead of covering it. Separate complaints describe the pop-up front wind deflector on the panoramic roof rusting through. Mostly reported between about 3,000 and 104,000 miles, often at highway speeds in rain or overcast conditions.

   What to check: Inspect the sunroof glass and its frame for chips, stress marks, or prior replacement, check the metal deflector for rust, and ask whether any sunroof glass has been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving on 9/18 northbound on I-25 at 75 MPH outside castle rock. Co, my sunroof exploded. Glass rained down on me. There were no other cars around me at the time and there is no other damage to my car. There is no object in the car that would indicate the sunroof was hit by something.”

   NHTSA complaint #11130448, filed 2018-09, 60,800 miles

   “While traveling on an interstate - during a rain storm - traveling around 65-70mph - and other vehicles in front of, beside, and behind me - out of nowhere (not big bumps being hit ) there was a sudden boom which sounded like a shotgun going off. This was very alarming and scared the daylights out of me. Luckily I was able to gain composure to notice that my sunroof had exploded as glass continued to come down into the car. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10846442, filed 2016-03, 34,420 miles
4. 4
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield not bonded, water leaks or separation

   • 10 complaints (9%)
   • median 120,000 mi at 8.5 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2026

   Owners describe water entering the cabin during rain or car washes, and some say the windshield can be pushed out or moves when pressed from inside, with a whooshing or rattling sound while driving. Several complaints describe the glass detaching or cracking away from the frame, and owners report dealers sometimes declined replacement or said the recall inspection did not find a problem. Complaints also describe the windshield visibly separating at a lower corner after an inspection. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 150,000 miles, typically noticed in rain, car washes, or after the car sat parked.

   Recall 22V158000

   What to check: Ask whether the 22V158000 windshield inspection or replacement was done and keep the paperwork; pour water along the top and base of the glass and look for leaks, and press gently on the glass from inside to see if it moves.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 miles

   “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. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11652256, filed 2025-04, 111,000 miles
5. 5
   Steering

   Clicking or shaking in the steering

   • 7 complaints (6%)
   • median 80,000 mi at 8.1 yrs old (3 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2020–2023

   Owners report a clicking or knocking sound when turning the wheel, steering that feels loose or slipping, and shaking or vibration through the wheel at highway speed. Complaints describe diagnosis of a worn steering column or steering rack, with some vehicles repaired and others not. Some owners point to the steering coupler as a recurring item on these cars. Mostly reported between about 60,000 and 100,000 miles, often while turning or at speeds above 60 mph.

   2 related service bulletins

   What to check: Turn the wheel slowly while parked and listen for clicking, and drive at highway speed to feel for vibration or play; ask whether the steering column, coupler, or rack has been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The rear wheel cracked and I had to have it repaired, and the vehicle has been making a ticking noise for 3 years and the Dealer in Colorado Springs told me don’t worry about it , it was a common noise, that was 2020. Now I have found out that the tension pulley and/or the timing tension pulley is bad . How is this a common problem? They want to replace my engine. Not to mention the problem that all KIA’S have the steering coupler that is going out. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11453244, filed 2022-02

   “I have looseness in my steering feels like it's slipping and I hearing knocking and when I'm driving and I break I feel my wheels shaking and on I am car”

   NHTSA complaint #11363688, filed 2020-10

Buying note. Check that both the 22V158000 windshield and 23V652000 brake control unit recalls were completed and keep the records, and have the engine and steering inspected on a test drive, since those account for the largest share of owner complaints.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.