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2014 Kia Cadenza: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2014 Kia Cadenza — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for sedan.

Owners filed 110 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 52% of 2014 sedans. Service Brakes leads the reports (17%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2014 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

110

Reports to NHTSA, 2014

Safety recalls

3

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Not rated

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

22

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

More complaints than 52% of 2014 sedans

The bar is this car's percentile among 2014 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Service Brakes issues lead owner complaints (17% of 110 reports), followed by engine (12%).

Service Brakes17% · 19 reports
Engine12% · 13 reports
Steering11% · 12 reports
Unknown Or Other11% · 12 reports
Visibility11% · 12 reports
Electrical System9% · 10 reports
Structure5% · 6 reports
Power Train5% · 5 reports

+ 11 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 110 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11652363, ODI 11631570, ODI 11630102, ODI 11590194, ODI 11589856.

Recalls(3)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Wheels · 14V289000Details +

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.

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 number for this recall is SC107.

Visibility · 22V158000Details +

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 May 13, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC232.

Service Brakes · 23V652000Details +

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.

Risk: 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.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

1 NHTSA investigation on record

Investigations are agency reviews, not findings that a vehicle is defective.

Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.

Crash-test ratings

2014 Kia Cadenza 4 DR FWD NHTSA source

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
Not rated

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
Cadenza3.3L 6-cylFront-Wheel Drive192822

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

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Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2014 Kia Cadenza: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2014 Kia Cadenza?

Owners filed 110 NHTSA complaints about the 2014 Kia Cadenza — more complaints than 52% of comparable 2014 sedans, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2014 Kia Cadenza?

The most-reported problem areas are Service Brakes (17% of complaints) and engine (12%).

How many recalls does the 2014 Kia Cadenza have?

3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2014 Kia Cadenza, covering components such as wheels. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2014 Kia Cadenza get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Kia Cadenza at 22 mpg combined.