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2014 Kia Cadenza

The Verdict

72 Solid Pick

The 2014 Kia Cadenza has 109 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (45 complaints) and engine (32 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 72/100, it earns a "Solid Pick" rating. If you're shopping for a Kia Cadenza, consider the 2019 model year which has 96% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2019 has 96% fewer complaints

View the 2019 Kia Cadenza dashboard →

72

Klunk Score: Solid Pick

Fewer complaints than most vehicles. Generally dependable, but check the top problems below.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 2

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

22V158000 VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

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.

Risk

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 Ma...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

14V289000 WHEELS

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 whe...

Risk

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 numbe...

Reported Apr 10, 2026

Get notified if a recall hits this car.

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
2014451812322
201518413130
201682040
2017836140
201810150
201911110

By Category

Body
45
Engine
32
Brakes
18
Electrical
12
Transmission
2

By Severity

1
43
2
56
3
4
4
6

Worst Problems

Complaints

Engine 4

my car caught on fire while driving, i was never notified of the recall

15d ago
Body 1

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.

9mo ago
Body 3

I was driving down the highway at 65 mph when suddenly the sunroof exploded in an outward fashion causing me to pull over. I believe there is a defect in the sunroofs of 2011 to 2014 models. I've contacted Kia. They refused to cover it. Nothing hit the windshield. It just spontaneously exploded.

9mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle independently went into LIMP Mode and failed to accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights flashed on the instrument panel. The contact was able to coast the vehicle over to the shoulder of the roadway. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic, and it was discovered that there was no oil in the engine. A diagnostic test was performed; however, no oil leaks or failures were discovered. The manufacturer was then notified of the failure and the contact was advised to take the vehicle to a dealer for service. The mechanic added oil to the engine and the contact drove to the local dealer. The contact was informed that an oil change was needed; however, the cause of the failure was not yet determined. The contact was also informed that the vehicle was not covered under recall or warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 177,000.

14mo ago
Body 2

Interior door handle chrome has delaminated. Both my wife and my hand have been sliced open on it.

15mo ago
Engine 2

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

15mo ago
Body 2

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that the windshield was inspected under NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V158000 (Visibility), and it was determined that the windshield had not detached so the windshield was not replaced. The contact stated that after the windshield was inspected, the contact noticed that the windshield was detaching on the driver's side lower corner, causing water to leak into the vehicle. The vehicle was returned to the dealer, who confirmed the failure, and that the windshield needed to be replaced; however, the VIN was no longer included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000. The VIN was not available.

15mo ago
Brakes 1

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.

15mo ago
Transmission 1

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in a recall 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) and was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. After the repair was completed, while attempting to accelerate, the vehicle hesitated before accelerating. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle was shifted into reverse and then driven before accelerating as intended. Additionally, the sunroof was leaking. The vehicle was taken to SAFELITE Auto Glass, and the contact was informed that there was no adhesive glue on the top of the windshield from the driver to the passenger’s side, causing a slight detachment. The contact was also informed that the sunroof had severe rusting around the seal due to rain being able to leak from the lack of adhesive. The rust caused the handle for the sunroof to detach. The windshield had been replaced by SAFELITE Auto Glass. The failure persisted and the vehicle was returned to SAFELITE Auto Glass, and the windshield was replaced a second time 3 years later. The contact stated that due to the water leak, the dashboard started bubbling and eventually burst resulting in a hole being formed. The windshield had been replaced. The contact learned the VIN was included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V158000 (Visibility). The vehicle had been taken to the dealer who had replaced the dashboard and removed the cup attached to the windshield and installed a defrosting sensor. The contact stated that the leak persisted. The contact had learned that the windshield should have been replaced instead of just the sensor. The vehicle had begun to display a message asking for the driver to comply however, it was unclear exactly what the vehicle was referencing. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that after retrieving the vehicle, the contact became aware that the dealer had only driven the vehicle 1 mile, and the contact believed it was not long enough to experience the failure. The contact stated that the failure recurred, and the vehicle had to be shifted into reverse and then driven before accelerating. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was 41,000.

19mo ago
Brakes 2

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza V6. The contact stated that water leaks into the windshield whenever it rains. The contact stated that when driving at various speeds the vehicle would hesitate before accelerating and when attempting to turn left or right the vehicle would briefly stop and then jump/surge forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who refused to remedy the defective windshield. The vehicle was inspected by SafeLight who diagnosed that the windshield seal had failed due to a lack of adhesive. The seal was replaced. The failure persisted after the repair. The dashboard had become inflated. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who did not diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure persisted and the vehicle would announce a warning stating, " You Must Comply" The contact was unsure what the warning was referring to. The vehicle was returned to the dealer who confirmed the VIN was included in recalls with NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 22V158000 (visibility) and 23V652000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The windshield had been replaced due to the defogger sensor and certain portions not being properly repaired. The recall NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V158000 (visibility) remedy was completed and the leak. The contact learned that the leak had caused severe rusting resulting in a hole in the sunroof. The contact also noticed that the steering gear had rust on it as well. The rust had not been addressed. The contact stated they were told that the remedy for NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (service brakes, hydraulic) had just been repaired but still showed attached. The vehicle no longer leaked water but still displayed hesitation. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was opened regarding the failure. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline to file a safety complaint. The failure mileage was 41,000.

19mo ago
Body 1

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.

25mo ago
Electrical 1

8 MONTHS AND NO FIX FOR THE RECALL. HOW IS THAT A TIMELY RESPONSE. WHAT CAN I DO ?

26mo ago
Brakes 1

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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

26mo ago
Brakes 1

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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

26mo ago
Engine 1

UNKNOWN

26mo ago
Brakes 2

See attached document for complaint

27mo ago
Brakes 2

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 contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who could not determine the cause of the failure. The dealer was contacted regarding the recall repair but was unable to confirm when parts would be available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

27mo ago
Electrical 1

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.

28mo ago
Engine 1

A few weeks ago we were driving into town and the car had a light turned on and the smoke was coming out of the front and it smelled burnt. Then the car completely stopped. We almost wrecked. I was pregnant at the time and shod know what could have happened if we wrecked because the car had completely stopped and turned off. I Had to tow the car to a mechanic. The mechanic has not looked at it. It’s just there parked. 1367 US Hwy 41 N, Calhoun, GA Proctor garage. I have been waiting on an update on recalls since the letter I received as I was reading it and it clearly said on the bottom a big warning notice if the car smoked and light turned on to take to local Kia dealership. I paid full price at a dealership for this car only had it for a full year and this happens. This is very dangerous my family and I could if really gotten hurt now I am without a car that has a recall and Kia is not willing to help at the moment. I am not the first person that has had problems with the Kia cadenza 2014. Something needs to be done for us who own it. It’s a waste of money with Kia worst thing money don’t grow on trees and I need Kia to show up for this situation I need my car fixed or a settlement for owning a recalled Kia Cadenza.

28mo ago
Body 2

Nothing Happened yet ! I own a 2014 Kia Cadenza and there’s a open recall for engine compartment fire which makes me cautious as it states can catch on fire in park or in motion and to leave it not close to my house or other vehicles which also makes me cautious. I’ve been waiting long enough for them to come out with a part to fix the HECU but every dealership tells me there is no part yet, it’s very frustrating because my family rides In there including my 3 year old son and I don’t wanna take a chance on the vehicle catching on fire can you please tell me what do this is very frustrating.

28mo ago

109 total

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