2015 Kia CADENZA: complaints, problems and recalls

UPON PRESSING ENGINE PUSH BUTTON START A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FILLED THE CABIN COMPARTMENT DURING IDLING WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK. THE ENGINE STARTED AS NORMAL WITH NO INDICATION OF MALFUNCTION. AS CAR WAS PUT INTO DRIVE AND DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE LESS THAN 500 FEET FROM MY STARTING POINT THE GASOLINE ODOR WAS OVERPOWERING IN THE CABIN COMPARTMENT AND THE CAR WAS UNABLE TO CLIMB A SMALL INCLINE IN THE ROAD AND THE ENGINE WAS NOT ABLE TO PROVIDE SPEED OVER 5 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO TURN THE CAR AROUND AND RETURN HOME. THE CAR WAS THEN DRIPPING G…

Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10661857 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT PATH ON AN INTERSTATE AT ROUGHLY 70 MPH, THE SUNROOF OF THE VEHICLE EXPLODED WITH A SOUND LIKE A BOMB GOING OFF. THE DEALER IS CLAIMING THE EXPLOSION WAS CAUSED BY A DIMPLE IN THE ROOF OF THE CAR CAUSED BY A ROCK OR AN OBJECT THAT HIT THE CAR AT SOME POINT. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP - AND ONLINE RESEARCH - SHOWS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF SUNROOFS EXPLODING IN THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR OF KIAS BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN REGISTERED AS YET.

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10839935 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2015 KIA CADENZA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED, THE FRONT SEAT PASSENGER NOTICED SMOKE AND A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND EXITED BEFORE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SALVAGE YARD AND WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMAT…

Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10877062 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 KIA CADENZA. AFTER INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE CONTACT NOTICED WATER IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE DETAILS OF THE DIAGNOSIS COULD NOT BE PROVIDED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10896365 at NHTSA ↗

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 ↗

WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY LOCAL ROAD WHEN OUT OF NO WHERE, I HEARD A LOUND EXPLOSION. I LOOKED AT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR THINKING SOMETHING HAD CRASHED INTO THE BACK WINDSHIELD, BUT THERE WAS NOTHING. I GOT OUT TO CHECK THE CAR AND NOTICED A HUGE HOLE IN MY SUNROOF. THE GLASS HAD SHATTERED AND PIECES WERE EVERYWHERE. I CALLED KIA TO SEE IF IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY'VE NEVER COME ACROSS SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I EVEN SHOWED THEM MANY SOURCES ONLINE OF PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AND THEY STILL FAIL…

Owner-reported narrative. 40,118 miles reported. Look up ODI 11114680 at NHTSA ↗

WE NOTICED THAT WHEN WE WOULD CLOSE OUR CAR DOORS IT WOULD MAKE A LARGE POPPING SOUND AND WE REALIZED THAT IT WAS THE WINDSHIELD. I TOUCHED IT AND WHEN I DID IT LIFTED FROM THE CAR. THE WINDSHIELD IS NOT SECURED TO THE CAR! I HAVEN'T HAD THE CAR A YEAR YET AND IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH KIA TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11153441 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING HOME MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE AND LEAVE FUMES WITHIN THE CAR. I PULLED THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY TO INSPECT TO FIND THAT MY KICKPLATE WAS ON FIRE FROM BELOW THE KICKPLATE. I PULLED THE PANEL OFF AND DOUSED OUT THE FLAME. NOW WITH THE VEHICLE HOME I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE KNOWING SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS EVEN REMOTELY POSSIBLE.

Owner-reported narrative. 55,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 11207099 at NHTSA ↗

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.

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.