← New search

2015 Kia Cadenza

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Cadenza years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 14 of 48 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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.

  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Visibility. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports2 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

48 reports
104,000 miles · May 31, 2022
Visibility

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle drove over a small bump in the roadway and the windshield popped out. The contact pulled over safely and set the windshield back into place. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The contact researched online and became a…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle drove over a small bump in the roadway and the windshield popped out. The contact pulled over safely and set the windshield back into place. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer. The contact researched online and became aware that the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V158000 (Visibility). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

NHTSA ODI #11466846

130,000 miles · Apr 21, 2022
Visibility

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that upon cleaning the interior side of the windshield, she noticed that the windshield was unsteady. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that th…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that upon cleaning the interior side of the windshield, she noticed that the windshield was unsteady. The dealer was notified of the failure and an appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V158000 (Visibility) as the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11461682

52,304 miles · Apr 19, 2022
Visibility

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that while at a stoplight, he became aware that the windshield was not properly secured. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Numb…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that while at a stoplight, he became aware that the windshield was not properly secured. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V158000 (Visibility) as a possible solution to the failure. The failure mileage was 52,304.

NHTSA ODI #11461288

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2022
Structure

Major concern for the safety of my passengers, myself, and anyone around my vehicle if a frontal crash was to happen. This is due to the lack of seal/adhesive holding the windshield to the vehicle. Started as small puddling on the floormats in the front and has since progressed. While attempting to clean the inside of my windshi…

Read full complaint

Major concern for the safety of my passengers, myself, and anyone around my vehicle if a frontal crash was to happen. This is due to the lack of seal/adhesive holding the windshield to the vehicle. Started as small puddling on the floormats in the front and has since progressed. While attempting to clean the inside of my windshield I noticed movement to find there is absolutely nothing holding the windshield to the body of the vehicle aside from the weight itself. My concern is; if an accident was to occur, there would be no way to know where my passengers (if they were to slip out from the seatbelts) or myself would go. The same goes for the windshield and the potential unknown damage or death it is capable of causing. Talked to the dealer on the phone and was told its not a common issue and surprised this site has only one complaint because if you can check any of the cadenza forums online you'll quickly see that probably most if not all of these cars will or have already had this issue. Which is very alarming due to the very low numbers per year (less than 10k) that were available to the US market. So since I purchased my car used; the great warranty they pride themselves on was no longer in affect since it gets shortened to a term of the amount of years and mileage the average person takes to pay a vehicle off and once it's no longer titled to the original owner the warranty is pretty much expired and kia is no longer responsible.

NHTSA ODI #11451480

51,000 miles · Sep 17, 2021
Visibility

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that the front windshield was loose and could be pushed out. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but, vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 51,00…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2015 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that the front windshield was loose and could be pushed out. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but, vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA. The failure mileage was approximately 51,000.

NHTSA ODI #11433323

Mileage unknown · May 18, 2021
Service Brakes, Air

2015 Kia Cadenza. Consumer writes in regard to illuminated ABS and ESC warning lights and broken coil springs. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI #11417572

Mileage unknown · Dec 5, 2019
Electrical SystemSeats

MY KIA K900 WOULD NOT START WITH LESS THAN 2 YEARS ON THE BATTERY, I WAS TOLD IT'S NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR SO I PAID NEARLY $700 TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE A HAD A HOST OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES OVER THE YEARS AND MOST RECENTLY, MY CARD WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER HA I ALSO NEEDED A NEW BATTERY WITH IT BEING LESS THAN 2 YE…

Read full complaint

MY KIA K900 WOULD NOT START WITH LESS THAN 2 YEARS ON THE BATTERY, I WAS TOLD IT'S NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR SO I PAID NEARLY $700 TO REPLACE IT. I HAVE A HAD A HOST OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES OVER THE YEARS AND MOST RECENTLY, MY CARD WOULD NOT TURN OFF. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER HA I ALSO NEEDED A NEW BATTERY WITH IT BEING LESS THAN 2 YEARS REPLACED. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR OVER 2 WEEKS, THEY REFUSE TO RETURN MY CALL.

NHTSA ODI #11287179

39,000 miles · Nov 13, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA CADENZA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART. THE CONTACT WAITED APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK CASE KIA (14500 W SUNRISE BLVD, SUNRISE, FL 33323, (954) …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA CADENZA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT IMMEDIATELY RESTART. THE CONTACT WAITED APPROXIMATELY TWO MINUTES AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICK CASE KIA (14500 W SUNRISE BLVD, SUNRISE, FL 33323, (954) 715-7580) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 39,000.

NHTSA ODI #11279908

36,200 miles · Nov 12, 2019
Unknown Or Other

2015 KIA CADENZA PANORAMIC SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. SOUNDED LIKE A BOMB EXPLODED IN THE CAR AND THERE WAS NO EXTERNAL OBJECT INVOLVED.

NHTSA ODI #11279519

78,000 miles · Jun 24, 2019
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TUESDAY EVENING, THEN I NOTICED MY HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER TWICE. I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT THEN THEY SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. I FLIPPED THE SWITCH BACK AND FORTH UNTIL IT TURNED ON. THEN 5 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE THEY COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THEY NEVER CAME BACK ON. I HAD TO DRIVE 10 MINUTES TO M…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK TUESDAY EVENING, THEN I NOTICED MY HEAD LIGHTS FLICKER TWICE. I THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT THEN THEY SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. I FLIPPED THE SWITCH BACK AND FORTH UNTIL IT TURNED ON. THEN 5 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE THEY COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AGAIN BUT THIS TIME THEY NEVER CAME BACK ON. I HAD TO DRIVE 10 MINUTES TO MY HOUSE WITH MY HAZARDS. I GOT PULLED OVER BUT LUCKILY MY BROTHER IS A COP AND I WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE HIS GOLD CARD AND GOT A PASS FROM A TICKET. THE NEXT DAY I CHECKED ALL THE RELAYS AND FUSES IN THE CAR HOPING ONE HAD BURNT OUT, BUT THAT WAS A NEGATIVE. I SCHEDULED MY APPOINTMENT WITH KIA AND IT TURNED OUT THE MULTI FUNCTION SWITCH ASSEMBLY WAS FAULTY. IT STOPPED SENDING THE SIGNAL OUT TO TURN THE HEADLIGHTS ON. I ASKED WHAT COULDVE CAUSED IT AND THEY DIDNT KNOW, POSSIBLY A MANUFACTURE DEFECT LIKE THE K900 RECALLS. I ASKED IF THE CADENZA HAD THE RECALL THEY SAID NO, THEY CAN SWITCH OUT THE ASSEMBLY WHICH COST ME $500+ BECAUSE I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. MY LUCK!!! WHICH I STILL THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE RESOLVED BY THE MANUFACTURES/ DEALERS NOT OUT OF THE CUSTOMERS EXPENSE.

NHTSA ODI #11222347

Official recalls

2

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.

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.