AI Damage2019 KIA Cadenza: common problems
Owners of the 2019 KIA Cadenza filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and steering. The maker issued 33 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 33
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 40% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 20% of all complaints
- 3 Exterior lighting 20% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
- 5 Lane departure 20% of all complaints
- 6 Tires 20% of all complaints
- Engine: 2 complaints (40% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Steering: 1 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Exterior lighting: 1 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Lane departure: 1 complaints (20% of all).
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
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 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 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Lane departure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several unknown warning lights illuminated. Additionally, upon starting the vehicle later, the contact noticed that there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from under the hood.
Hello, I wasn't notified of the recall on my vehicle. The steering wheel is extremely hard to turn and all of the system lights are on.
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 kia cadenza. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 21v137000 (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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,688 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 20% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Cadenza has 10 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 5, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- PITSTOP
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT (WTY034) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the…
- This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT (WTY034) - his bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY034) to diagnose the ‘Malfunction Indicator Lamp’ (MIL)…
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY034) - This document is a Reimbursement Request form that was mailed with the customer letter advising them to submit the form if they had paid for repairs for this same matter prior to the…
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
OWNER NOTIFICATION (WTY034) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for the high-pressure fuel pump in 2017-2020 MY Cadenza…
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
QUESTION AND ANSWER (WTY034) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Warranty Extension Campaign WTY034.
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
DEALER PARTS & SERVICE MANAGERS MEMO (WTY034) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs…
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (WTY034) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is extending the New Vehicle Limited Warranty coverage, to all owners, for repairs related to the high-pressure fuel…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SERVICE REMINDER SETTING RESET PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides the procedure to turn OFF the service reminder lamp, at the first service interval reminder alert that will display on the instrument cluster. The KDS…
NHTSA lists 33 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 KIA Cadenza?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, steering, exterior lighting. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: engine failure or replacement (20%), fuel system, fuel smell (20%), knocking, grinding or other noise (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 KIA Cadenza?
NHTSA lists 33 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 KIA Cadenza from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
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.