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Kia CadenzaModel year report

2016 Kia Cadenza Problems

Complaints
14filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
42,674miles, 3 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 3.3L 6-cyl FWD · 19 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Kia Cadenza (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2016 Kia Cadenza. The part named most often is visibility, with 6 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine (4) and brakes (2). 3 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 42,674 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 76 technical service bulletins for this model year. Visibility complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 20 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “On december 6, 2016 my sunroof exploded while driving down the freeway. The explosion was so loud and violent I thought I was shot. Shards of glass rained down on my head. I was able to avoid a vehicle collision, but was very shaken up about the ordeal. My right ear felt deaf and I noticeable have less hearing as a result of the explosion.”

NHTSA complaint #10934856, filed 2016-12, 10,000 miles

Engine: “The contact owns a 2016 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, a loud rattling sound was coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed however, the mechanic stated there was nothing to repair or replace. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 42,674.”

NHTSA complaint #11417823, filed 2021-05, 42,674 miles

Brakes: “The contact owns a 2016 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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”

NHTSA complaint #11561041, filed 2023-12

Other or unknown: “While driving down the highway, I heard a loud boom and my sunroof exploded sending glass everywhere all through the car with my kids in the backseat. Driving straight on the highway at 60 miles per hour and nothing to hit the glass, Something is definitely wrong with the pano sunroof on these cars.”

NHTSA complaint #11649124, filed 2025-03

Mileage when problems were reported

67% of the 3 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 10,000 and 140,000 miles.

0%0–1033%10–2533%25–500%50–750%75–10033%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (3 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 42,674 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2016202120222023202420254
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2016 Kia Cadenza version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Cadenza FWD3.3L 6-cyl6-speed automatic192822$3,050

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2016 Kia Cadenza → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 76 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 76 bulletins →

Other model years of the Kia Cadenza

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2019574,0001—23—Not enough data
201875,6251—23—Not enough data
20173317,0002—2350 · TypicalRising
20161442,6742—22—Not enough data
20154845,5592—2225 · FewerRising
201411148,5003—2279 · MoreRising

All Kia Cadenza model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Kia Cadenza have?

NHTSA recorded 14 consumer complaints for the 2016 Kia Cadenza as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 Kia Cadenza is reported most often?

Visibility is named most often, in 6 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine with 4.

Has the 2016 Kia Cadenza been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Kia Cadenza get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Kia Cadenza (Cadenza, 3.3L 6-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,050 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Kia Cadenza reported?

Among the 3 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 42,674 miles and the middle half falls between 10,000 and 140,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.