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U.S. public vehicle records

2017 Kia CADENZA: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

32 owner complaints analyzed

2 distinct recall campaigns

17,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2017 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 32 complaints (34.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior618.8%
Engine operation26.3%
Steering behavior26.3%
Fuel system concerns26.3%
Electrical and battery issues13.1%

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.

Engine
11
Electrical System
6
Unknown Or Other
6
Fuel/Propulsion System
5
Wheels
3
Air Bags
2
Seat Belts
2
Service Brakes
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine11
Electrical System6
Unknown Or Other6
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Wheels3
Air Bags2
Seat Belts2
Service Brakes2

Engine: 11; Electrical System: 6; Unknown Or Other: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Wheels: 3; Air Bags: 2; Seat Belts: 2; Service Brakes: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
9
25,000 to 49,999
2
50,000 to 74,999
1
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
1
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0009
25,000 to 49,9992
50,000 to 74,9991
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above1

Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 19 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.

2017
1
2018
4
2019
4
2021
4
2023
3
2024
7
2025
2
2026
7
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20171
20184
20194
20214
20233
20247
20252
20267

2017: 1; 2018: 4; 2019: 4; 2021: 4; 2023: 3; 2024: 7; 2025: 2; 2026: 7

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 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 11047835 · 2017-11-21 (November 21, 2017)

SHORTLY AFTER FILLING FUEL TANK A STRONG RAW FUEL ODOR EMANATED FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE FUEL DOOR. THE SMELL WAS MOST PRONOUNCED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. INITIALLY I THOUGHT SOME FUEL HAD SPILLED, BUT THE SMELL LASTED SEVERAL DAYS UNTIL THE TANK WAS DEPLETED TO 1/2 FULL, AND IMMEDIATELY CAME BACK UPON NEXT FILL UP. NO CEL OR CODES WERE THROWN, AND DRIVABILITY WAS NOT AFFECTED. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT INITIALLY MISDIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS CLOGGED FUEL VENT LINES, BUT ON THE SECOND VISIT THEY APPEAR TO HAVE CORRECTLY IDENTIFIED T…

Owner-reported narrative. 3,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11047835 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11105339 · 2018-07-03 (July 3, 2018)

BRAKE ISSUE: I HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A BRAKE FAILURE ON THIS CAR. I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOWLY GOING DOWNHILL (SPEEDS 0 TO 10 MPH) IN A LINE OF CARS STOPPING AND GOING, STOPPING AND GOING MANY TIMES. AT FIRST THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT NORMAL AS PRESSURE WAS APPLIED THE CAR SLOWED THEN PETAL RESISTANCE WOULD DROP AND THE CAR WOULD SPEED UP DUE TO THE DOWNHILL GRADE. I APPLIED FOOT PRESSURE TO PETAL AGAIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I SLOWLY RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME MANY TIMES AS…

Owner-reported narrative. 14,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11105339 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11110901 · 2018-07-12 (July 12, 2018)

OUTSIDE AIR TEMP SENSOR HAS DEFECT. IT READS 32 DEGREES F. WHEN TEMPS ARE OVER 80 F OUTSIDE. WON'T ALLOW AUTO AIR CONDITIONING TO WORK. THE ENGINE EMISSION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. HAVE HAD IN THE DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES AND THEY KEEP TELLING ME MY GAS CAP IS NOT SEALING. IT'S RESET AND IT COMES BACK ON AGAIN.

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11110901 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11112627 · 2018-07-20 (July 20, 2018)

TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2017 KIA CADENZA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CERVICAL STENOSIS AND A HERNIATED DISK IN THE LOWER BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE IT WAS DEEMED OPERABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE …

Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11112627 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11150022 · 2018-11-07 (November 7, 2018)

THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF PREVIOUS NHTSA COMPLAINT ID 11047835. THE STRONG RAW FUEL ODOR AFTER FILLUP RECURRED ON MY VEHICLE AT 9550 MILES, 3600 MILES AFTER THIS PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED. DEALER CLAIMS TO HAVE REPAIRED GAP IN THE PREVIOUSLY-REPLACED HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP SEAL; HOWEVER, FUEL SMELL REMAINS WHEN TANK IS FULL UNTIL DEPLETED TO ABOUT HALF. I ASK NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THIS RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE KIA CADENZA.

Owner-reported narrative. 9,550 miles reported. Look up ODI 11150022 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11166394 · 2019-01-10 (January 10, 2019)

I WAS BRAKING APPROACHING A LIGHT ON A STATE ROAD, WHEN THE BRAKE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR SUDDENLY AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE SLOWED BUT DID NOT STOP, I REAR ENDED A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11166394 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11209114 · 2019-05-21 (May 21, 2019)

CAR CUPPED TIRES AROUND 17000 MILES. DEALER BLAMED ME FOR CAR NOT BEING ALIGNED AND NOT ROTATED FREQUENTLY ENOUGH I.E. 7500 MILES. I DISAGREED WITH DEALER FILED COMPLAINT WITH KIA AND THEY MADE A COMPROMISE AND I PAID FOR 2 TIRES AND KIA PAID FOR 2 TIRES, DIFFERENT TIRE BRAND THAN PREVIOUS TIRES. CAR AGAIN CUPPED TIRES AROUND 44000 MILES. I HEARD SOUND IMMEDIATELY AFTER TIRE ROTATION BACK TO FRONT. TOOK CAR TO KIA SEAN THE SERVICE MANAGER CONFIRMED FRONT TIRES WERE CUPPED. TOOK CAR TO KIA DEALER A WEEK OR SO LATER TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 17,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11209114 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11245195 · 2019-08-20 (August 20, 2019)

I HAVE 4 HANCOOK VENTIS S1 NOBLE 2+ TIRES ON MY 2017 KIA CADENZA. THE SIZE AND DOT NUMBERS ARE 245/45R18 96V DOT 5MEF 1A H 0217 I HAVE A BUBBLE, IN THE SIDEWALL, IN ONE TIRE THAT MAY BE THE RESULT OF A CRACK IN THE SIDEWALL. THE TIRES ARE VERY NOISY PARTICULARLY AT LOW SPEEDS AND THE REAR TIRES ARE AT 4/32" DEPTH AT 22,500 MILES. CAN YOU ADVISE ME IF THESE TIRES ARE PART OF A RECALL? THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME. REGARDS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 22,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11245195 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

17V190000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings

Reported: 2017-03-16 (March 16, 2017)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Cadenza vehicles. The brake vacuum hose on the affected vehicles may kink, reducing braking performance.

Consequence: Reduced braking performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake vacuum hose, replacing it as necessary, free charge. The recall began on April 17, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC146.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V137000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module

Reported: 2021-03-04 (March 4, 2021)

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.

Consequence: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.

NHTSA campaign record ↗