AI DamageKIA Cadenza: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the KIA Cadenza across 6 model years: 59 owner complaints and 119 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 39% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 12% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 10% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 8% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 5% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 5% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 5% of all complaints
- Engine: 23 complaints (39% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 38.
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 71.
- Service brakes: 7 complaints (12% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Visibility: 6 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 5 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2014–2020named in 4 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed 2014–2016
- automatic, 8-speed 2017–2020
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 59 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 23 | 0 | 38 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 | 71 |
| Service brakes | 7 | 2 | 6 |
| Visibility | 6 | 0 | 10 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 | 28 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 28 |
| Air bags | 3 | 1 | 6 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 30 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 18 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 10 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
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.
SYMPTOM/WARNING: The oil pressure warning light first appeared in October 2026 and comes on intermittently when the engine is warm and the car is stopped or idling, then goes off once moving. It is becoming more frequent. No other lamps, messages, noises, or leaks.
The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. The contact waited before restarting the vehicle and continued driving. The ABS warning light was intermittently flashing. The failure became more persistent, causing the vehicle to lose power steering functionality.
While operating the vehicle, the engine suffered a catastrophic internal mechanical failure, resulting in an immediate and dangerous loss of motive power on the road.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- PITSTOP
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.