Reliable Auto DB

2014 Kia Cadenza reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2014 Kia Cadenza has 110 complaints with NHTSA after 13 years, or 6 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 7 Cadenza years on this site. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Windshield, and Wheels.

2014 Kia Cadenza
Photo by EuroCarGT, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

110

Per year

6

Recalls

3

Years on the road

13

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (28 of 110), then Hydraulic brakes (16) and Visibility (14). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 6 that report an injury.

Next to 2015

The 2015 Cadenza has 48 complaints, 1 per year. The 2014 has more complaints per year than the 2015.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2014 Kia Cadenza. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (3)

Recall Brake control module 2023-09-25 · NHTSA campaign 23V652000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall visibility, windshield 2022-03-15 · NHTSA campaign 22V158000
Summary 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.
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.
Recall Wheels 2014-05-30 · NHTSA campaign 14V289000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (110 total)

Engine
28
Hydraulic brakes
16
Visibility
14
Electrical system
13
Steering
12
Service brakes
8
Structure
8
Powertrain
7
Fuel and propulsion system
4
Wheels
4
Air bags
3
Exterior lighting
3
Speed control
3
Forward collision avoidance
2
Visibility and wipers
2
Adaptive and mobility equipment
1
Back-over prevention
1
Engine and engine cooling
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Lane departure
1
Seat belts
1
Suspension
1
Tires
1
Show 15 more Show less
Crash-flagged

3

Fire-flagged

3

Injury reports

6

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

520148201542016320175201882019620201020211220222020232120247202512026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "my car caught on fire while driving, i was never notified of the recall"
    Unknown or other, Engine · filed 2026-07-03
  • "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…"
    Visibility · filed 2025-10-15
  • "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…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2025-10-01
  • "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…"
    Engine and engine cooling · filed 2025-05-21
  • "Interior door handle chrome has delaminated. Both my wife and my hand have been sliced open on it."
    Unknown or other · filed 2025-04-17

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2014 Kia Cadenza 4 DR FWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Cadenza 3.3L, 6-cyl Automatic 6-speed Front-wheel drive 19 28 22 MPG $2950

Specs and fitment

First generation (VG), 2014–2016
Body styles Sedan
Oil 5W-30 (preferred; all temps) , 6 qt capacity
Tire size 225/55R17, 245/45R18, 245/40R19 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 22V-158 covers all 2014-2016 Cadenza vehicles: during manufacturing, the front windshield may not have been properly bonded, allowing it to detach. The campaign lists 30,362 vehicles. Dealers inspect the glass and, if needed, remove and reinstall it. Recall 23V-652 covers certain 2014-2016 Cadenza vehicles among many other Kia/Hyundai models: the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) circuit may short and cause an engine-compartment fire. That multi-model campaign lists 1,730,192 vehicles. Owners are advised to park outside until the fuse replacement is completed.

Compare

Next year 2015 Kia Cadenza See every Kia Cadenza model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Kia Cadenza reliable?

The 2014 Kia Cadenza has 110 complaints with NHTSA after 13 years, or 6 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 7 Cadenza years on this site. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Brake control module, Windshield, and Wheels.

What are common problems with a 2014 Kia Cadenza?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (28 of 110), then Hydraulic brakes (16) and Visibility (14). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 3 that report a fire, and 6 that report an injury.

Is the 2014 Kia Cadenza more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 Cadenza has 48 complaints, 1 per year. The 2014 has more complaints per year than the 2015.

Has the 2014 Kia Cadenza been recalled?

The 2014 Kia Cadenza has 3 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2014 Kia Cadenza?

Owners have filed 110 complaints about the 2014 Kia Cadenza with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2014 Kia Cadenza get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2014 Kia Cadenza is 22 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2018 Kia Cadenza?

Second generation (YG, 2017-2020).

What oil does a Kia Cadenza take?

5W-30 preferred for all temperatures; VG (~6 qt) and YG (~6.9 qt) capacities differ by generation.

What does recall 22V-158 cover on the Cadenza?

All 2014-2016 Cadenza vehicles: the front windshield may not have been properly bonded during manufacturing. See the NHTSA campaign for the remedy.