2014 Kia Cadenza: owner complaints and recalls

Analysis of 110 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 3 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.

110
Complaints
3
Recalls
3
Crash reports
3
Fire reports
8
Injuries
85.5
Severity index

Severity index 85.5 - Medium. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.

Among the 139 2014 vehicles we track with at least 40 complaints on file, the 2014 Kia Cadenza ranks 50 of 139 by severity, where 1 is the worst. Its severity is higher than 64% of its model-year peers. See the full 2014 ranking.

What actually fails

ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE2825.5%
SERVICE BRAKES2421.8%
HYDRAULIC1614.5%
VISIBILITY1412.7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1311.8%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1311.8%
STEERING1210.9%
STRUCTURE87.3%

The single most-reported system is ENGINE, cited in 28 of 110 complaints (25.5%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.

Complaints filed per year

2014: 52015: 82016: 42017: 32018: 52019: 82020: 62021: 102022: 122023: 202024: 212025: 72026: 114151617181920212223242526
YearComplaints
20145
20158
20164
20173
20185
20198
20206
202110
202212
202320
202421
20257
2026 (year to date)1
Complaint volume is rising - the last three years carry 1.7x the filings of the three before them, which usually signals a wear-related defect surfacing with age.

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
14V28900030/05/2014WHEELSKia 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
22V15800015/03/2022VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELDKia 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.
23V65200025/09/2023SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia 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 Con
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.