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EnginePart report

2015 Kia Cadenza Engine Problems

Complaints
13about this part
Share
27%of 48 total for the year
Median mileage
19,502miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the engine of the 2015 Kia Cadenza, 27% of the 48 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,502 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“Upon pressing engine push button start a strong odor of gasoline filled the cabin compartment during idling while the car was in park. The engine started as normal with no indication of malfunction. As car was put into drive and driven a short distance less than 500 feet from my starting point the gasoline odor was overpowering in the cabin compartment and the car was unable to climb a small incline in the road and the engine was not able to provide speed over 5 MPH. I was able to turn the car around and return home. …”

NHTSA complaint #10661857, filed 2014-12, 5 miles

“There’s something drawing the battery AMPS down. This has been an ongoing problem for the last 6 months. Per Kia techs, it was my battery and grounds needed cleaning. Battery changed, techs cleaned all the grounds the problem still exists. I was informed that it was the alternator, new alternator installed. Problem still remains. A new starter installed, problem still exists.”

NHTSA complaint #11561995, filed 2023-12

“After hearing a ticking sound in my engine, I had it diagnosed by a Kia service department. They said bad lifters and cam shafts had been installed at the factory, and that sometime soon my engine was going to fail and they could say if it would seize or blow up or what, or how this would play out if this happened when I was driving. My car only has 76k miles, and the ticking sound is fairly quiet. Kia refuses to take the safe route and replace my engine. I do not feel safe driving this car.”

NHTSA complaint #11522999, filed 2023-05

“At startup I experienced a knock in the engine which seemed to have gone away. I notified the KIA dealership of the issue. The service advisor told me to drive the vehicle in for service. While attempting to drive the vehicle in for service the vehicle TURNED OFF while going 55MPH without any warning at all. KIA diagnosed the vehicle with a failed crank bearing and that it can happen to high mileage vehicles despite imbecile maintenance records. I have read hundreds of complaints regarding the HYUNDAI/KIA 3.3L Lambda II class engines and faliures at various mileage. …”

NHTSA complaint #11616271, filed 2024-09

“The same engine in these 2015 - 2016 Kia Cadenzas is the same engine present in the Kia Sorentos which have been being investigated for early failure, My kia cadenza stalled at 63 miles per hour on route 73 in new jersey and ever since I've been terrified of it, the dealer (Burlington Kia of South Jersey) told me this is common, and they have stingers and most cars with this same 3.3 engine in for the same failure and it just boggles my mind, I was driving and stalled at 68 while cars are flying by me all because of a known failure? Something that is common and known? …”

NHTSA complaint #11561800, filed 2023-12

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2019240%
2018571%
20171236%
2016429%
20151327%
20142825%

Other parts of the 2015 Kia Cadenza

Electrical system
13 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsFuel system
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2015 Kia Cadenza

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology