2015 Kia Cadenza problems and recalls

Owners filed 24 complaints on the 2015 Kia Cadenza in the last three full years, out of 48 on record. The most cited component is the Electrical System.

48
Complaints
2
Recalls
1
Crash reports
2
Fire reports
3
Injuries
68.2
Severity index

Severity index 68.2 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 68.2p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 64 of 143 by severity index among 2015 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 55% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2015 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Electrical SystemElectrical System: 13 complaints (27.1%)13 27%EngineEngine: 13 complaints (27.1%)13 27%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 9 complaints (18.8%)9 19%Service BrakesService Brakes: 5 complaints (10.4%)5 10%VisibilityVisibility: 5 complaints (10.4%)5 10%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 4 complaints (8.3%)4 8%HydraulicHydraulic: 3 complaints (6.2%)3 6%SteeringSteering: 3 complaints (6.2%)3 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1327.1%
ENGINE1327.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER918.8%
SERVICE BRAKES510.4%
VISIBILITY510.4%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING48.3%
HYDRAULIC36.2%
STEERING36.2%

Complaints filed per year

06122014: 12016: 32018: 32019: 52021: 22022: 82023: 122024: 112025: 12026: 2 (partial year)1416181921222312242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20141
20163
20183
20195
20212
20228
202312
202411
20251
2026 (year to date)2
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.6x those in 2019 to 2022 (24 against 15).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
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

Other Kia Cadenza model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 4 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.