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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

What owners actually said

110 reports
33,000 miles · Jul 28, 2017
StructureInjury

SUNROOF EXPLODED IN A VERY LOUD MANNER. NO OBJECT HIT THE SUNROOF, IT JUST EXPLODED. VEHICLE WAS UNDERWAY GOING STRAIGHT AHEAD ON A HIGHWAY. NO OVERPASS OR VEHICLE DIRECTLY IN FRONT.

NHTSA ODI #11011327

Mileage unknown · Apr 10, 2017
Unknown Or Other

VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN WHEN ACCELERATION TO GO ON HWY ONRAMSPS . HAPPENED ON 2 OCASIONS COMPLAINED TO KIA BUT THE.CLAIM TBEY CANT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMSALSO LOUD ENGINE NOISE AT STARTUP USED TO BE JUST MORNINGS BUT NOW ANYTIME I START THE CAR

NHTSA ODI #10971646

104,000 miles · Mar 15, 2017
Visibility

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA CADENZA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED FROM THE EXTERIOR WITHOUT IMPACT. THE WERE NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10966060

3,416 miles · Nov 15, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA CADENZA. WHILE DRIVING DIFFERENT SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED A THIRD TIME, IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA CADENZA. WHILE DRIVING DIFFERENT SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE FUEL INJECTOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE DEALER REPLACED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP. WHEN THE FAILURE RECURRED A THIRD TIME, IT WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,416.

NHTSA ODI #10926287

45,860 miles · Jun 27, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA CADENZA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DOWNHILL, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL UNTIL IT REACHED A FLAT SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA CADENZA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DOWNHILL, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL UNTIL IT REACHED A FLAT SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,860.

NHTSA ODI #10876999

34,420 miles · Mar 14, 2016
Structure

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 …

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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. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER (STILL IN POURING RAIN) AND EVENTUALLY MAKE IT TO A BRIDGE WHERE I COULD SHIELD THE RAIN TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. ONCE OUT OF THE CAR, IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE SLIDING SUNROOF OF MY PANORAMIC ROOF HAD EXPLODED UPWARD. I AWAITED A TOW TRUCK TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO CLOSEST DEALER (AN HOUR AWAY - IN THE POURING RAIN WHICH SOAKED THE INTERIOR.) I KNEW THAT IT HAD TO BE SOME TYPE OF DEFECT SINCE THE EXPLOSION WENT UPWARD. UPON RESEARCHING THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS THAT THIS TYPE OF DEFECT HAS HAPPENED AS FAR BACK AS 2010. KIA IS LOOKING TO REPLACE THE SUNROOF UNDER WARRANTY WHICH IS PROBABLY THE SAME DEFECTIVE SUNROOF. I DO NOT HAVE ANY CONFIDENCE IN THIS CAR AND WOULD NOT ALLOW MY FAMILY TO BE IN THIS CAR MOVING FORWARD. IT IS SUCH AN ALARMING SITUATION AND COULD HAPPEN SO SPONTANEOUSLY, IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL MORE DEVASTATING ACCIDENTS COULD OCCUR. AFTER THIS EXPERIENCE, I AM LUCKY THAT IT WAS ME DRIVING - NOT MY WIFE OR MY KIDS. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT OUTCOME. OTHER MANUFACTURES HAVE ADDRESSED THEIR ISSUE WITH PANORAMIC ROOFS, BUT KIA CONTINUES TO DENY THEY HAVE A PROBLEM. KIA SHOULD BUY BACK THESE CARS AS THEY ARE A SAFETY HAZARD FOR NOT ONLY THOSE IN THE CAR, BUT FOR ANY MOTORIST AROUND THEM. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED, AND IF THEY CONTINUE TO SELL VEHICLES WITH THIS CHARACTERISTIC, THEY SHOULD HAVE TO PROVIDE A DISCLAIMER TO WARN BUYERS.

NHTSA ODI #10846442

11,600 miles · Jan 25, 2016
Vehicle Speed Control

THE SPEED CONTROL BRAKES WERE TRIGGERED BY A LOADED BNSF CONTAINER TRAIN ABOUT 50 YARDS TO THE LEFT OF AND PARRALELLING THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AHEAD OF OR BEHIND OUR CAR AS WE CAUGHT UP WITH THIS TRAIN AND THEN THERE WERE RAPID BEEPS FROM THE DASH AREA AND THE BRAKES WERE FIRMLY APPLIED AS THEY WOULD BE IF WE WERE …

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THE SPEED CONTROL BRAKES WERE TRIGGERED BY A LOADED BNSF CONTAINER TRAIN ABOUT 50 YARDS TO THE LEFT OF AND PARRALELLING THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC AHEAD OF OR BEHIND OUR CAR AS WE CAUGHT UP WITH THIS TRAIN AND THEN THERE WERE RAPID BEEPS FROM THE DASH AREA AND THE BRAKES WERE FIRMLY APPLIED AS THEY WOULD BE IF WE WERE APPROACHING A SLOWED VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. THIS REPEATED UNTIL I TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE TRAIN LATER GOT AHEAD OF US AND WHEN WE CAUGHT UP WITH IT THE PROCESS REPEATED. NO OTHER TRAIN HAD THIS EFFECT NOT HAS THE PROBLEM RECURED. THIS WAS ON US 84 BETWEEN TEXICO AND MULESHOE, TX.

NHTSA ODI #10822133

24,950 miles · Nov 5, 2015
Wheels

THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FRACTURED COMPLETELY AROUND THE WHEEL AFTER DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE AT A SLOW SPEED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THIS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ALL 4 WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED IN JULY 2014 DUE TO A KIA FACTORY SAFETY RECALL NUMBER SC107. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE…

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THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL FRACTURED COMPLETELY AROUND THE WHEEL AFTER DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE AT A SLOW SPEED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THIS NEARLY CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. ALL 4 WHEELS ON THE VEHICLE WERE REPLACED IN JULY 2014 DUE TO A KIA FACTORY SAFETY RECALL NUMBER SC107. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE SINCE THE FACTORY RECALL REPLACEMENT WHEELS ARE ALSO FRACTURING IDENTICAL TO THE OEM INSTALLED 19IN. NON CHROME PREMIUM WHEELS.THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 25MPH ON FOX MILL ROAD NORTHBOUND BETWEEN FOX VIEW ROAD AND FAIRFAX COUNTY PARKWAY IN FAIRFAX COUNTY VA. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER REPLACED THE DEFECTIVE WHEEL WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT OURISMAN KIA IN CHANTILLY, VA.

NHTSA ODI #10788551

8,652 miles · Oct 9, 2015
StructureCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA CADENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED NECK AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA CADENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED NECK AND THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED BACK INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE FENDER AND REAR OF THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,652. UPDATED 2/4/16 *CN UPDATED 4/18/18*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI #10781033

24,000 miles · Sep 30, 2015
EngineUnknown Or OtherInjury

ENGINE WAS MAKING A NOISE AND FOWL ODOR FROM VENTS TOOK TO KIA DEALER AFTER A WK THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE PROBLEM SAID IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE BACK TO LAS VEGAS FROM CALIF ONCE WE ARRIVED WE CALLED LOCAL DEALER THEY REPLACED ENGINE SO THEY SAID. THEN 2 WKS LATER WE GET IT BACK I BEGAN HAVING SITE THROAT COUGH AND SEVERE HEADACHES AND L…

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ENGINE WAS MAKING A NOISE AND FOWL ODOR FROM VENTS TOOK TO KIA DEALER AFTER A WK THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE PROBLEM SAID IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE BACK TO LAS VEGAS FROM CALIF ONCE WE ARRIVED WE CALLED LOCAL DEALER THEY REPLACED ENGINE SO THEY SAID. THEN 2 WKS LATER WE GET IT BACK I BEGAN HAVING SITE THROAT COUGH AND SEVERE HEADACHES AND LATER TOLD MY HUSBAND I THOUGHT IT WAS GAS I WAS SMELLING IN THE CAR WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID IT WAS FINE SO WE LEAVE TO CALIF AND THE FOLLOWING DAY I WENT TO START THE CAR AND WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND GAS HAD GONE EVERY WHERE THE FIRE DEPT HAD TO COME ASSIST AND GIVE CLEARANCE TO TOW THE CAR DUE TO THE FUEL HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #10778840

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.