2017 Kia Cadenza problems and recalls

Owners have filed 32 complaints on the 2017 Kia Cadenza, and NHTSA has issued 2 recalls. The most cited component is the Engine (11 complaints).

32
Complaints
2
Recalls
4
Crash reports
1
Fire reports
1
Injuries
68.9
Severity index

Severity index 68.9 Medium. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 68.9p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Components cited in complaints

EngineEngine: 11 complaints (34.4%)11 34%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 6 complaints (18.8%)6 19%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 6 complaints (18.8%)6 19%Fuel/Propulsion SystemFuel/Propulsion System: 5 complaints (15.6%)5 16%Service BrakesService Brakes: 4 complaints (12.5%)4 12%WheelsWheels: 3 complaints (9.4%)3 9%SteeringSteering: 2 complaints (6.2%)2 6%HydraulicHydraulic: 2 complaints (6.2%)2 6%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
ENGINE1134.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM618.8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER618.8%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM515.6%
SERVICE BRAKES412.5%
WHEELS39.4%
STEERING26.2%
HYDRAULIC26.2%

Complaints filed per year

0472017: 12018: 42019: 42021: 42023: 32024: 72025: 22026: 7 (partial year)17181921232472526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20171
20184
20194
20214
20233
20247
20252
2026 (year to date)7
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2018 to 2021 (12 against 12).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
21V13700004/03/2021SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULEKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
17V19000016/03/2017SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Cadenza vehicles. The brake vacuum hose on the affected vehicles may kink, reducing braking performance.

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 2026-08-11. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.