2015 Kia CADENZA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
48 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
45,559 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 48 complaints (27.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 12.5% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 8.3% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Engine | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 3 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
Electrical System: 13; Engine: 13; Unknown Or Other: 9; Exterior Lighting: 4; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 3; Steering: 3; Visibility:Windshield: 3; Structure:Body: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 34 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 8 |
| 2023 | 12 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2014: 1; 2016: 3; 2018: 3; 2019: 5; 2021: 2; 2022: 8; 2023: 12; 2024: 11; 2025: 1; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11287179 · 2019-12-05 (December 5, 2019)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11287179 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11501155 · 2023-01-10 (January 10, 2023)
The vehicle steering wheel became hard to turn while driving. This could have caused serious accident and injury. The car also died on me while driving and impossible to turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is in motion. I then noticed a flashing light. This happened all at the same time and without notice. This could have been a major accident and I believe a serious defect as I saw too many KIA and Hyundai vehicles with the same complaints. Can this please be looked into? The vehicle next day refused to start. I paid $209.00 to g…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11501155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11417572 · 2021-05-18 (May 18, 2021)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11417572 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11557740 · 2023-11-30 (November 30, 2023)
The contact owns a 2015 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 made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11557740 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11066923 · 2018-02-05 (February 5, 2018)
WHEN I AM DRIVING HOME JUST A MILE AWAY FROM HOME I HEARD A POP NOISE SIMILAR TO A BALLOON AND MY KIDS WITH ME AND I ASKED THEM DID THEY HAVE ANY BALLOONS WITH YOU ALL . THEY SAY NO AND HEARD THE SAME NOISE AND I WAS THINKING MAY BE THE TIRE POPPED BUT I DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING IN MY STEERING WHEEL . THEN I STARTED HEARING WIND NOISE COMING INTO THE CAR. THEN I REALIZED THE SUNROOF MUST HAVE EXPLODED. I GOT TO MY HOUSE AND GOT OUT CHECK IT OUT FIND ITS STARTING CRACK ALL OVER THE FRONT MOON ROOF. I COULD HEAR IT'S SLOWLY CRACKING WITH SUEAKY NOIS…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,105 miles reported. Look up ODI 11066923 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11558826 · 2023-12-06 (December 6, 2023)
The contact owns a 2015 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 contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the heat was activated, and the contact became aware that the temperature gauge was inoperable. The contact stated there was no heat blowing out of the vents and the radio volume on the steering wheel was also inoperable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of…
Owner-reported narrative. 113,925 miles reported. Look up ODI 11558826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11561800 · 2023-12-26 (December 26, 2023)
The same engine in these 2015 - 2016 Kia Cadenzas is the same engine present in the Kia Sorentos which have been being investigated for early failure, My kia cadenza stalled at 63 miles per hour on route 73 in new jersey and ever since I've been terrified of it, the dealer (Burlington Kia of South Jersey) told me this is common, and they have stingers and most cars with this same 3.3 engine in for the same failure and it just boggles my mind, I was driving and stalled at 68 while cars are flying by me all because of a known failure? Something t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11561800 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11616271 · 2024-09-24 (September 24, 2024)
At startup I experienced a knock in the engine which seemed to have gone away. I notified the KIA dealership of the issue. The service advisor told me to drive the vehicle in for service. While attempting to drive the vehicle in for service the vehicle TURNED OFF while going 55MPH without any warning at all. KIA diagnosed the vehicle with a failed crank bearing and that it can happen to high mileage vehicles despite imbecile maintenance records. I have read hundreds of complaints regarding the HYUNDAI/KIA 3.3L Lambda II class engines and f…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11616271 at NHTSA ↗