2014 Kia CADENZA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
110 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
48,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 54 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 28 of 110 complaints (25.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 24 | 21.8% |
| Steering behavior | 16 | 14.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 6.4% |
| Engine operation | 5 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 28 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 16 |
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Steering | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Visibility | 8 |
| Power Train | 7 |
Engine: 28; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 16; Electrical System: 13; Unknown Or Other: 13; Steering: 11; Service Brakes: 8; Visibility: 8; Power Train: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 16 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 11 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 8 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 16; 25,000 to 49,999: 11; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 8; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 56 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 | 5 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 5 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 10 |
| 2022 | 12 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 1 |
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: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 24 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10560512 · 2014-01-18 (January 18, 2014)
THE "SMART KEY" FOR THIS VEHICLE IS A NEW DESIGN, RELEASED FOR THE 2013 KDM KIA K7, AND HAS A RELEASE BUTTON WHERE THE PLASTIC KEY/REMOTE PART MAY BE REMOVED TO EXPOSE A METAL CENTER-CUT KEY THAT CAN BE USED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR, TRUNK, OR GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE RELEASE WILL DETACH THE KEY WELL BEFORE THE BUTTON IS FLUSH WITH THE PLASTIC BODY, ALLOWING MANY DIFFERENT NORMAL MOTIONS TO RELEASE THE KEY. ON MANY OCCASIONS, JUST REGULAR MOVEMENT HAS RELEASED THE KEY AND IT HAS FALLEN OFF IN MY POCKET. ON ONE OCCASION, THE SMART KEY CAME OFF AS I RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,613 miles reported. Look up ODI 10560512 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10595211 · 2014-05-30 (May 30, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA CADENZA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AS IT BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE IPS FILTER FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,300, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10595211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10605003 · 2014-06-21 (June 21, 2014)
I HAPPEN TO BE DRIVING FROM WORK,AND LOUD NOISE CAUSED ME TO HIT WALL,AS I WAS TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10605003 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10649022 · 2014-10-21 (October 21, 2014)
THE 2014 CADENZA DOES NOT OFFERS A HEIGHT SEAT ADJUSTMENT FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SO IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE FOR MY WIFE TO GET IT AND OUT. I CALLED KIA AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS I GET THE 2015 MODEL. SO I BOUGHT A SEAT CUSHION TO INCREASE THE HEIGHT . THE PROBLEM NOW IS THAT THE " OFF WARNING LIGHT" FOR THE AIR BAGS DOES NOT ACTIVATE TO ON WHEN YOU SEAT, WHICH MEANS THAT IF THERE'S IS AN ACCIDENT, THOSE BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY AND COULD LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC INJURIES. KIA STATES THAT PROBLEM WILL NOT BE ABLE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10649022 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10663249 · 2014-12-09 (December 9, 2014)
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 RES…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10663249 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10672413 · 2015-01-14 (January 14, 2015)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10672413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10682794 · 2015-02-11 (February 11, 2015)
I PURCHASED A KIA CADENZA IN SEPT. 2014. ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I SELECTED THIS VEHICLE WAS THE SAFETY RECORD OF THE VEHICLE. THIS KIA CADENZA CAME WITH DUAL FRONT AND REAR SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE AIRBAGS. ON JAN. 19TH, 2015 I WAS BROAD SIDED WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. MY KIA WAS HIT WITH GREAT FORCE AT THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR DOOR. THE IMPACT SENT MY CAR INTO A CIRCULAR SPIN. MY KIA HAD A HOLE IN THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR WHERE THE REAR SEAT WAS EXPOSED. THE IMPACT WAS TREMENDOUS AND NO AIR BAG DEPLOYED. NO FRONT, REAR OR SIDE CURTAIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10682794 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10702220 · 2015-03-27 (March 27, 2015)
WHILE DRIVING DOWN 95 S FROM COLUMBIA I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN THE SUN ROOF COVER SLID BACK (IT HAD BEEN CLOSED) AND THE SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERED DOWN ON MY PASSENGER AND MY HEAD AND INTO THE CAR. WE LOOKED UP AND WE COULD SEE THE SKY. THE GLASS WAS POINTING UPWARD. NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS HAPPENING WE BOTH DUCKED, I CLOSED THE SUNROOF PANEL COVER AND KEPT DRIVING SINCE WE WERE NOT FAR FROM THE CAR DEALER (SEVERAL EXITS DOWN THE HIGHWAY). *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 13,534 miles reported. Look up ODI 10702220 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
14V289000 · Wheels
Reported: 2014-05-30 (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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V158000 · Visibility:Windshield
Reported: 2022-03-15 (March 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V652000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2023-09-25 (September 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗