KnownCarProblems2014 Kia Cadenza Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 111 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Kia Cadenza, most often about the engine (26% of complaints, typically around 56,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Cadenza model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
⚠ Safety advisory1 recall for this car came with a park-outside warning. See below and check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Most common 2014 Kia Cadenza problems
Engine
29 complaints · 26%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 MPH, there was an abnormal odor of smoke detected. The driver stopped, looked under the hood, and found evidence of a fire. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number…
Timing chain tensioner - I started to get a weird rattle when I started the engine. The Kia dealership told me this was a pretty common noise with these engines and not to worry. At 62k miles I took it back in and said something is definitely not right. Well it was the timing chain tensioner. In searching for common…
Brakes
23 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 50,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. While driving 20 MPH downhill, the brake pedal failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle continued to roll until it reached a flat surface. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery failed. The battery was replaced. In addition, while driving 10 MPH…
Backed into a parking spot and engaged the epb. I heard the usual motor sound except it kept sounding for about 30 seconds. I disengaged the epb and put the car in drive to pull forward and the auto hold and electrical power brake (epb) got stuck and would not released although it was not showing on the dash as active…
Visibility and wipers
16 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: sun/moon roof assembly, windshield.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that the front windshield was damaged and there was a split along the dashboard by the air bag housing. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The…
While driving around 40mph, went to pass a vehicle and heard a loud pop... After exiting vehicle found a 5 inch line crack within the windshield on the lower right hand side (passenger)... Have been to two glass repair shops, and the dealer and all agree there is no damage inside or out to the glass, (stone chip)…
Other or unspecified
14 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 44,500 miles.
My Kia Cadenza has panoramic sunroof. While I was driving I heard loud bomb explosion noise and the sunroof exploded. I almost lost control but luckily no accident happend.
While driving on 9/18 northbound on I-25 at 75 MPH outside castle rock. Co, my sunroof exploded. Glass rained down on me. There were no other cars around me at the time and there is no other damage to my car. There is no object in the car that would indicate the sunroof was hit by something.
Electrical
13 complaints · 12%The "smart key" for this vehicle is a new design, released for the 2013 kdm Kia k7, and has a release button where the plastic key/remote part may be removed to expose a metal center-cut key that can be used on the driver's door, trunk, or glove compartment. The release will detach the key well before the button is…
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. While driving 20 MPH downhill, the brake pedal failed to stop the vehicle. The vehicle continued to roll until it reached a flat surface. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the battery failed. The battery was replaced. In addition, while driving 10 MPH…
Steering
12 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: column.
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that while driving on a slight elevation, a loud clicking noise was heard from the steering column. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired.…
The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, there was an abnormal clicking sound while turning the steering wheel to the left or right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering column needed to be replaced. The vehicle was…
Body and structure
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 34,500 miles. Parts named most often: body, interior panels, frame and members.
Sunroof exploded in a very loud manner. No object hit the sunroof, it just exploded. Vehicle was underway going straight ahead on a highway. No overpass or vehicle directly in front.
Pop up wind screen located at front of panoramic roof became rusted through . For some reason the engineers chose ferrous material that is constantly exposed to moisture and high humidity at all times . This is extremely dangerous , as the windscreen is subject to very high stress at highway speeds . This corrosion…
Transmission
7 complaints · 6%When traveling above 25 MPH , when I take my foot off the gas pedal in anticipation of an upcoming red traffic signal or on the highway doing 55 or so and seeing traffic coming to a halt ahead, foot off the gas pedal engine keeps going, will not throttle down to near idle. ,its as if the gas pedal is stuck . At this…
Timing chain tensioner - I started to get a weird rattle when I started the engine. The Kia dealership told me this was a pretty common noise with these engines and not to worry. At 62k miles I took it back in and said something is definitely not right. Well it was the timing chain tensioner. In searching for common…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2014 Kia Cadenza recalls
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Visibility and wipers: windshield
Risk: A front windshield that detaches from a vehicle can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Wheels and tires: wheels
Risk: A wheel fracture could cause the circular rim to separate, resulting in a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect 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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Hyundai and kia ABS module fires
Summary
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
Questions about the 2014 Kia Cadenza
- What are the most common problems with the 2014 Kia Cadenza?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (29 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles); brakes (23 complaints, typically around 50,500 miles); visibility and wipers (16 complaints, typically around 56,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2014 Kia Cadenza have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 25, 2023 (brakes). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2014 a bad year for the Kia Cadenza?
- It is the most complained-about Cadenza model year since 2000, with 111 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.