Problems · NHTSA complaints
2014 Kia Cadenza problems
Owners filed 111 complaints about the 2014 Kia Cadenza with NHTSA between Jan 2014 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (28).
Complaints
111
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Engine28
- Service brakes, hydraulic16
- Visibility14
- Electrical system13
- Steering12
- Service brakes8
- Structure8
- Power train7
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Wheels4
- Vehicle speed control3
- Exterior lighting3
- Air bags3
- Forward collision avoidance2
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
5
8
4
3
5
8
6
10
12
20
21
7
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Engine
28 reports2 fires
“The engine started smoking and knocking really bad. Took it to the kia dealership and was told a piston o ring and gasket went bad because of heavy oil consumption that caused antifreeze to leak inside the motor while sitting still and this was causing the burning smell because the cylinder had gone bad because of this. The dealership states this was a known issue with all kias from this year and should be under recall. So I called kia because the car only has 80k miles and they informed me it's not apart of the open recall because it's a cadenza. What if I hadn't went back outside and seen the smoke and the car caught fire and burned my home down. It seems like kia knows all of these motors are bad and trying to keep it secret”
Service brakes, hydraulic
16 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The dealer informed the contact that parts were on backorder. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.”
Visibility
14 reports1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that while driving through a car wash, there was water entering the vehicle through the front windshield. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the windshield bonding agent. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V158000 (Visibility); the VIN was included, but the vehicle was previously repaired in 2022. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 129,000.”
Electrical system
13 reports2 fires
“I received an Interim Notice of Safety Recall Number 23V652 dated November 14, 2023 from KIA regarding the HECU unit having a possibility of an electrical short circuit which could cause a fire. The recall notice recommends parking outside. It is now entering April of 2024. I sent a letter to NHTSA dated February 9, 2024 complaining of the extended time for KIA to provide the parts necessary to service the recall. Now the time involved is becoming egregious. NHTSA should be demanding KIA to service the recall in the interest of public safety. I request NHTSA do so.”
Steering
12 reports
“The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that while reversing, he became aware that the electronic power steering briefly seized in position while turning, requiring an increased effort to maneuver the vehicle. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence while reversing. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Service brakes
8 reports
“1. accelerator became stuck 2. pushing the foot brake did not stop the car 3. they were not able to replicate the issue, which happened 4 times 4. the dealership that sold me the car (twice) and another KIA dealership once 5. none Each time that it occurred, my wife shifted to neutral and hit the foot brake to stop.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.