2016 Kia Cadenza problems and recalls

Owners filed 9 complaints on the 2016 Kia Cadenza in the last three full years, out of 14 on record. The most cited component is the Visibility.

14
Complaints
2
Recalls
0
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
0
Injuries
53.5
Severity index

Severity index 53.5 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 53.5p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

VisibilityVisibility: 6 complaints (42.9%)6 43%EngineEngine: 4 complaints (28.6%)4 29%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 2 complaints (14.3%)2 14%Service BrakesService Brakes: 2 complaints (14.3%)2 14%HydraulicHydraulic: 2 complaints (14.3%)2 14%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 1 complaints (7.1%)1 7%SuspensionSuspension: 1 complaints (7.1%)1 7%StructureStructure: 1 complaints (7.1%)1 7%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
VISIBILITY642.9%
ENGINE428.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER214.3%
SERVICE BRAKES214.3%
HYDRAULIC214.3%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM17.1%
SUSPENSION17.1%
STRUCTURE17.1%

Complaints filed per year

0242016: 12021: 22022: 22023: 32024: 22025: 41621222324254
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20161
20212
20222
20233
20242
20254
Filings in 2023 to 2025 ran 1.8x those in 2016 to 2022 (9 against 5).

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.