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2014 Kia Cadenza

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

54 reports with mileage · 56 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 28 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports

Engine complaints

28 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 3, 2026
EngineUnknown Or OtherFire

my car caught on fire while driving, i was never notified of the recall

NHTSA ODI #11748173

Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2025
Engine

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 deal…

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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

NHTSA ODI #11654893

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

UNKNOWN

NHTSA ODI #11586525

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2024
Back Over PreventionEngineLane Departure

A few weeks ago we were driving into town and the car had a light turned on and the smoke was coming out of the front and it smelled burnt. Then the car completely stopped. We almost wrecked. I was pregnant at the time and shod know what could have happened if we wrecked because the car had completely stopped and turned off. I H…

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A few weeks ago we were driving into town and the car had a light turned on and the smoke was coming out of the front and it smelled burnt. Then the car completely stopped. We almost wrecked. I was pregnant at the time and shod know what could have happened if we wrecked because the car had completely stopped and turned off. I Had to tow the car to a mechanic. The mechanic has not looked at it. It’s just there parked. 1367 US Hwy 41 N, Calhoun, GA Proctor garage. I have been waiting on an update on recalls since the letter I received as I was reading it and it clearly said on the bottom a big warning notice if the car smoked and light turned on to take to local Kia dealership. I paid full price at a dealership for this car only had it for a full year and this happens. This is very dangerous my family and I could if really gotten hurt now I am without a car that has a recall and Kia is not willing to help at the moment. I am not the first person that has had problems with the Kia cadenza 2014. Something needs to be done for us who own it. It’s a waste of money with Kia worst thing money don’t grow on trees and I need Kia to show up for this situation I need my car fixed or a settlement for owning a recalled Kia Cadenza.

NHTSA ODI #11578915

56,002 miles · Jan 25, 2024
EngineService Brakes, Hydraulic

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, there was an abnormal odor of smoke detected. The driver stopped, looked under the hood, and found evidence of a fire. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Servic…

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The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, there was an abnormal odor of smoke detected. The driver stopped, looked under the hood, and found evidence of a fire. There were no warning lights illuminated. 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 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 failure mileage was approximately 56,002. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ODI #11567732

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineFire

I was driving my 2014 Kia Cadenza and then I noticed the vehicle has lost power and all the electrical components shut off (Odometer , dash lights and radio ) , as I was cruising down the road waiting for vehicle to slow down I noticed vehicle steering was very heavy and didn't have any breaking power , I pull into a place away …

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I was driving my 2014 Kia Cadenza and then I noticed the vehicle has lost power and all the electrical components shut off (Odometer , dash lights and radio ) , as I was cruising down the road waiting for vehicle to slow down I noticed vehicle steering was very heavy and didn't have any breaking power , I pull into a place away from road when i noticed that there was smoke coming from the car and the car was catching fire , in that moment I opened the hood and I did have a fire extinguisher . I was pushing the vehicle back while spraying it and was able to turn off the fire before spreading . The car will require a new engine . I reached out to multiple kia Dealerships but they will not accept repairs on the car and will redirect me to kia customer support . It's been a hassle for the past couple of months and I can't seem to get to a resolution

NHTSA ODI #11567239

Mileage unknown · Dec 28, 2023
Engine

The vehicle has been carefully maintained and received the 144,000-mileage thorough maintenance service which was performed at the KIA dealership in August 2023 three months prior to the incident. While driving in November 2023 the Malfunction Indicator Light came on. I took the vehicle to the same dealership. After 3 days in t…

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The vehicle has been carefully maintained and received the 144,000-mileage thorough maintenance service which was performed at the KIA dealership in August 2023 three months prior to the incident. While driving in November 2023 the Malfunction Indicator Light came on. I took the vehicle to the same dealership. After 3 days in the service department, I was told the engine is burning oil. They found code P0021, but further diagnosis is required. The "Service Department" told me the vehicle requires an engine replacement. I purchased the 2014 KIA used in 2015. The warranty is for ten years (2024) yet evidently, according to the Service Department and KIA, because the car was on the sales lot in 2013, the warranty is expired. It is not a safe car and the recall, as noted on this site, indicates the same. I cannot count how many recalls this vehicle has had including the windshield possibly being loose and the power steering malfunctioning. I've had the headlights replaced three times and the air conditioning completely fixed after it went out. ( that's not a safety issue, but another indicator of the poor quality of this vehicle.) It appears KIA is aware of the severe engine issues in this 2014 KIA Cadenza and other KIA models, and I believe the Company understands the dangers involved in driving, and even parking this vehicle. I am beyond upset as this vehicle is currently not functioning. (and it's parked far away from a building.) Please advise. Thank you for your time.

NHTSA ODI #11562317

136,000 miles · Dec 13, 2023
EngineInjury

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that the vehicle made abnormal sounds while starting. A burning odor was also detected while starting and driving the vehicle. The ABS, traction control, and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact's left foot and left arm were burned by smoke and an un…

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The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that the vehicle made abnormal sounds while starting. A burning odor was also detected while starting and driving the vehicle. The ABS, traction control, and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact's left foot and left arm were burned by smoke and an unknown fluid coming from the air vents. Medical attention was not received. The dealer was made aware of the failure; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the engine had previously been replaced twice due to faulty cylinder head bolts, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.

NHTSA ODI #11559919

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2023
Engine

There is a clatter at startup of the engine. I researched the issue and KIA has a service bulletin about the issue and a resolution for the problem. I had the vehicle brought to the dealership for the windshield recall and asked them to please apply the service bulletin since the timing chain has the discussed rattle at startup.…

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There is a clatter at startup of the engine. I researched the issue and KIA has a service bulletin about the issue and a resolution for the problem. I had the vehicle brought to the dealership for the windshield recall and asked them to please apply the service bulletin since the timing chain has the discussed rattle at startup. They will not fix the issue. even knowing that it is causing internal engine damage for a defective part. If these vehicles are not fixed properly, the engines will expire prematurely and may cause serious injury.

NHTSA ODI #11551821

Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2023
Engine

I was driving my car at about 70 miles per hour then all of a sudden it went from 70 to like 40 and wouldn't pick up speed the engine light did come on I did get it to a mechanic to have my coils and spark plugs change but car was still knocking mechanic said it was the engine even before this it was always a knocking noise at s…

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I was driving my car at about 70 miles per hour then all of a sudden it went from 70 to like 40 and wouldn't pick up speed the engine light did come on I did get it to a mechanic to have my coils and spark plugs change but car was still knocking mechanic said it was the engine even before this it was always a knocking noise at start up even after oil changes everytime I call about this engine issue it's always cadenza not included but I see that most of the complaints is about the engine the same issues like the others my car is paid for but can't drive it if this problem was known we should be included for a new engine people like myself only work 32hrs cause my job like others are not doing good don't have the 5 to $10,000 kia dealership quoted me at to fix this car that was already known to be bad this is sad but im going to keep pushing until I get to the bottom including a lawsuit because this is not fair at all.

NHTSA ODI #11548879

Official recalls

3

23V652000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Sep 25, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.

22V158000 · Visibility:windshield

Mar 15, 2022

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A front windshield that detaches from a vehicle can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front windshield glass. If necessary, the windshield will be removed and reinstalled. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC232.

14V289000 · Wheels

May 30, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A wheel fracture could cause the circular rim to separate, resulting in a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wheels with new wheels, free of charge. The recall began in June 2014. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC107.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

AQ23002 · Hyundai And Kia Abs Module Fires

Opened Nov 17, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.