WHEELS CAUSE EASY TIRE BLOWOUT IN SMALL POTHOLES ALL BULBS BURN OUT TAKEAWAY EVERY 3MONTHS
2014 Kia Cadenza
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Limited comparison data
There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Cadenza years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
110 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA CADENZA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY A KIA INVESTIGATOR TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 KIA CADENZA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BY A KIA INVESTIGATOR TO AN UNKNOWN LOCATION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR
A VERIFIED RECALL TO KIA OPTIMA IS IN PLACE FOR THE "STEERING COUPLER". I OWN A 2014 KIA CADENZA THAT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR BECOMES COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL AT BOTH HIGH SPEED AND LOW SPEEDS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THIS SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL AS IT IS THE SAME PRODUCT OF BOTH CARS MADE. J…
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A VERIFIED RECALL TO KIA OPTIMA IS IN PLACE FOR THE "STEERING COUPLER". I OWN A 2014 KIA CADENZA THAT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR BECOMES COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL AT BOTH HIGH SPEED AND LOW SPEEDS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. THIS SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL AS IT IS THE SAME PRODUCT OF BOTH CARS MADE. JUST BECAUSE THE SALES VOLUME OF THE CADENZA IS LESS THAN THE OPTIMA DOES NOT CHANGE TO THE SAFETY OF THE RECALL AND SHOULD INCLUDED AS RECALL OF THE MANUFACTURED PART NO THE STYLE OF THE CAR. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN BOTH KIA'S THAT WE OWN, THE KIA DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ARE THE SAME PART, BUT REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBLY; TO REPAIR AS THE CADENZA IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. AS A CONSUMER THIS MAKES NO SENSE. A FAILED PRODUCT IS A FAILED PRODUCT AND SHOULD NOT MATTER WHAT CAR IS IT INSTALLED ON.
A VERIFIED RECALL TO KIA OPTIMA IS IN PLACE FOR THE "STEERING COUPLER" WHICH I OWN. I ALSO OWN A 2014 KIA CADENZA THAT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL AS IT IS THE SAME PRODUCT OF BOT CARS MADE. JUST BECAUSE THE SALES VOLUME OF THE CADENZA IS LESS THAN THE OPTIMA DOES NOT CHANGE TO THE SAFETY …
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A VERIFIED RECALL TO KIA OPTIMA IS IN PLACE FOR THE "STEERING COUPLER" WHICH I OWN. I ALSO OWN A 2014 KIA CADENZA THAT IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL AS IT IS THE SAME PRODUCT OF BOT CARS MADE. JUST BECAUSE THE SALES VOLUME OF THE CADENZA IS LESS THAN THE OPTIMA DOES NOT CHANGE TO THE SAFETY OF THE RECALL AND SHOULD INCLUDED AS RECALL OF THE MANUFACTURED PART NO THE STYLE OF THE CAR. I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM IN BOTH KIA'S THAT WE OWN, THE KIA DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT ARE THE SAME PART, BUT REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBLY; TO REPAIR AS THE CADENZA IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. AS A CONSUMER THIS MAKES NO SENSE. A FAILED PRODUCT IS A FAILED PRODUCT AND SHOULD NOT MATTER WHAT CAR IS IT INSTALLED ON.
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…
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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
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.
I HAD A TIRE RIM FRACTURE AND RESULTED IN A BUBBLE IN SIDE WALL. ORIGINAL RIMS. THE SAME AS THE RECALL FOR 19 INCH RIMS.
WHEN TRAVELING ABOVE 25 MPH , WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL IN ANTICIPATION OF AN UPCOMING RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL OR ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 55 OR SO AND SEEING TRAFFIC COMING TO A HALT AHEAD, FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL ENGINE KEEPS GOING, WILL NOT THROTTLE DOWN TO NEAR IDLE. ,ITS AS IF THE GAS PEDAL IS STUCK . AT THIS POINT I HAVE…
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WHEN TRAVELING ABOVE 25 MPH , WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL IN ANTICIPATION OF AN UPCOMING RED TRAFFIC SIGNAL OR ON THE HIGHWAY DOING 55 OR SO AND SEEING TRAFFIC COMING TO A HALT AHEAD, FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL ENGINE KEEPS GOING, WILL NOT THROTTLE DOWN TO NEAR IDLE. ,ITS AS IF THE GAS PEDAL IS STUCK . AT THIS POINT I HAVE TO REALLY BRAKE HARD TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN, IT IS DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS..EVENTUALLY AS THE CAR SLOWS TO A CRAWL THE TACHOMETER EVENTUALLY SHOWS THE ENGINE IS DOWN TO IDLE SPEED., AND THE ENGINE STOPS PULLING ON ITS OWN..MY OTHER ISSUE INVOLVES THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTING TO A LOWER GEAR AND SLOWING THE CAR DOWN, I HAVE NO ISSUES WHEN ACCELERATING, ONLY WHEN I TALE MY FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR,MY KIA DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM EVEN AFTER SEVERAL VISITS..I HAVE MADE A SHORT VIDEO OF THE SPEEDOMETER AND TACHOMETER, AND IT CLEARLY SHOWS THE THE CAR GOING ON ITS OWN, WHILE MY FOOT IS OFF THE GAS PEDAL.
MOONROOF EXPLODED FOR NO OBVIOUS REASON WHILST DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS
THE FRONT GLASS ROOF PANEL/SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH NO EVIDENCE OF ANY OUTSIDE FORCE OR FACTOR. CAR IS A 2014 KIA CADENZA PURCHASED USED IN 2017 WITH 10,000 MILES. MILEAGE AT TIME OF INCIDENT WAS 17,629. NO RELEVANT MAINTENANCE HISTORY ASSOCIATED WITH THE INCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN RIDGELAND, MS SOUTHBOUND ON A FRON…
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THE FRONT GLASS ROOF PANEL/SUNROOF EXPLODED WITH NO EVIDENCE OF ANY OUTSIDE FORCE OR FACTOR. CAR IS A 2014 KIA CADENZA PURCHASED USED IN 2017 WITH 10,000 MILES. MILEAGE AT TIME OF INCIDENT WAS 17,629. NO RELEVANT MAINTENANCE HISTORY ASSOCIATED WITH THE INCIDENT. I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN RIDGELAND, MS SOUTHBOUND ON A FRONTAGE ROAD OFF OF I-55 AT 6:20 PM CST AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES PER HOUR IN DRIVE AS THE VEHICLE HAS AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT HAD BEEN AN OVERCAST DAY AND AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT IT WAS NOT RAINING AND THE TEMPERATURE WAS NEAR 60 DEGREES. THERE WERE NO CARS ON EITHER SIDE OF ME NOR IN FRONT OF ME FOR A REASONABLE DISTANCE. AS I WAS DRIVING, THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY LOUD EXPLOSION WHICH SOUNDED AS IF A GUN HAD BEEN DISCHARGED IN OR NEAR MY CAR. I WAS EXTREMELY STARTLED BY THE EXPLOSION AND IMMEDIATELY HEARD OUTSIDE NOISE AND FELT AIR COMING IN FROM THE TOP OF THE CAR. I SLOWED AND ENGAGED MY HAZARDS UNTIL I COULD GET TO A LOCATION TO INSPECT THE CAR. I NOTICED AN INTERESTING SMELL DIRECTLY AFTER THE INCIDENT BUT COULD NOT DETERMINE WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM AND IT DISSIPATED. ONCE I PARKED THE CAR IT WAS AS EXPECTED, THE FRONT SECTION OF THE ROOF GLASS HAD A LARGE HOLE WITH GLASS SHARDS AND THE REMAINDER OF THE FRONT SECTION OF GLASS WAS CRACKED BUT HAD NOT DISLODGED. THE REAR GLASS SECTION APPEARED TO BE UNHARMED. THREE WORK EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS MY WIFE WITNESSED THE DAMAGE DIRECTLY AFTER I PARKED. THIS WAS A TRIP I HAD MADE NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO UNUSUAL ROAD CONDITIONS, TRAFFIC OR WEATHER IN THIS CASE.
Official recalls
323V652000 · 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
1AQ23002 · 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.
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