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2014 Kia Cadenza

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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.

3 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports

Engine complaints

28 reports
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88,000 miles · Mar 13, 2021
Engine

ON COLD START THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE WHICH IS COMING FROM THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. WHEN I LOOK IT UP IT TELLS ME THE YEARS THAT WERE AFFECTED WERE 2014-2016. EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SUCH A COMMON ISSUE WHY WAS THERE NO RECALL ON IT TO BE REPLACED?

NHTSA ODI #11402749

62,000 miles · Jul 8, 2019
EnginePower Train

TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER - I STARTED TO GET A WEIRD RATTLE WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE. THE KIA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS WAS A PRETTY COMMON NOISE WITH THESE ENGINES AND NOT TO WORRY. AT 62K MILES I TOOK IT BACK IN AND SAID SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT. WELL IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. IN SEARCHING FOR COMMON ISSUES I…

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TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER - I STARTED TO GET A WEIRD RATTLE WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE. THE KIA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THIS WAS A PRETTY COMMON NOISE WITH THESE ENGINES AND NOT TO WORRY. AT 62K MILES I TOOK IT BACK IN AND SAID SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY NOT RIGHT. WELL IT WAS THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. IN SEARCHING FOR COMMON ISSUES I FOUND SEVERAL TSB'S REPORTING THE SAME THING. THERE IS EVEN A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN THAT TELLS THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHAT PARTS NEED TO BE REPLACED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE BUT THERE IS NO INVESTIGATIONS OR RECALLS. I STILL HAD TO PAY 2500.00 TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ODI #11230265

47,000 miles · Jan 15, 2019
Engine

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

NHTSA ODI #11170199

19,000 miles · Jun 7, 2018
EnginePower Train

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.

NHTSA ODI #11100459

45,860 miles · Jun 27, 2016
Electrical SystemEngineService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA CADENZA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DOWNHILL, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL UNTIL IT REACHED A FLAT SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA CADENZA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DOWNHILL, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL UNTIL IT REACHED A FLAT SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,860.

NHTSA ODI #10876999

24,000 miles · Sep 30, 2015
EngineUnknown Or OtherInjury

ENGINE WAS MAKING A NOISE AND FOWL ODOR FROM VENTS TOOK TO KIA DEALER AFTER A WK THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE PROBLEM SAID IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE BACK TO LAS VEGAS FROM CALIF ONCE WE ARRIVED WE CALLED LOCAL DEALER THEY REPLACED ENGINE SO THEY SAID. THEN 2 WKS LATER WE GET IT BACK I BEGAN HAVING SITE THROAT COUGH AND SEVERE HEADACHES AND L…

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ENGINE WAS MAKING A NOISE AND FOWL ODOR FROM VENTS TOOK TO KIA DEALER AFTER A WK THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE PROBLEM SAID IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE BACK TO LAS VEGAS FROM CALIF ONCE WE ARRIVED WE CALLED LOCAL DEALER THEY REPLACED ENGINE SO THEY SAID. THEN 2 WKS LATER WE GET IT BACK I BEGAN HAVING SITE THROAT COUGH AND SEVERE HEADACHES AND LATER TOLD MY HUSBAND I THOUGHT IT WAS GAS I WAS SMELLING IN THE CAR WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID IT WAS FINE SO WE LEAVE TO CALIF AND THE FOLLOWING DAY I WENT TO START THE CAR AND WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND GAS HAD GONE EVERY WHERE THE FIRE DEPT HAD TO COME ASSIST AND GIVE CLEARANCE TO TOW THE CAR DUE TO THE FUEL HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #10778840

5,000 miles · Jan 14, 2015
EngineFuel/propulsion System

WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, IF DONE IN A START, STOP, RESTART FASHION, IT DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY RE-ACCELERATE. THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR WHEN STOPPING PRIOR TO PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10672413

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

ON SATURDAY - NOVEMBER 22, 2014 AROUND 6:30 PM THE CAR ENGINE STOPPED AND CAR ROLLED FOR FEW FEET AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. ALSO STEERING JAMMED AND DIDN'T MOVE. IT WAS STOPPED AND DIDN'T START BACK ON AND STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO CRANK IT. THE BATTERY WAS RUNNING FINE. DUE TO ELECTRICAL AND/OR MECHANICAL FAIL…

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ON SATURDAY - NOVEMBER 22, 2014 AROUND 6:30 PM THE CAR ENGINE STOPPED AND CAR ROLLED FOR FEW FEET AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. ALSO STEERING JAMMED AND DIDN'T MOVE. IT WAS STOPPED AND DIDN'T START BACK ON AND STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO CRANK IT. THE BATTERY WAS RUNNING FINE. DUE TO ELECTRICAL AND/OR MECHANICAL FAILURE WE WERE EXPOSED TO THE UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT. FORTUNATELY, WE WERE NOT ON THE BUSY STREET/FREEWAY OTHERWISE IT COULD HAVE BEEN ENDED UP IN MAJOR SAFETY INCIDENT. WHEN THIS HAPPENED, WE COULDN'T MANEUVER THE STEERING RESULTING IN SITUATION TOTALLY OUT OF CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10663249

Official recalls

3

23V652000 · 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

1

AQ23002 · 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.