Kia Cadenza Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.
Own a Kia Cadenza? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Kia Cadenza — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Verdict | Recalls | Complaints | Crashes | Injuries | Deaths | Top Issue | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020Best | Excellent | — | — | — | — | — | — | Full report → |
| 2019 | Excellent | 1 | 3 | — | — | — | Exterior Lighting | Full report → |
| 2018 | Excellent | 1 | 5 | — | — | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2017 | Good | 2 | 21 | 2 | — | — | Electrical System | Full report → |
| 2016 | Excellent | — | 7 | — | — | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2015 | Caution | — | 34 | 1 | 3 | — | Engine | Full report → |
| 2014Worst | Avoid | 1 | 74 | 4 | 7 | — | Engine | Full report → |
7 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.
Most Common Kia Cadenza Problems
Based on 144 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.
Cadenza Years to Avoid
Best Cadenza Years to Buy
Kia Cadenza Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Kia Cadenza Reliability
What year Cadenza has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2014 Kia Cadenza had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 74 complaints and 1 safety recalls. See the full 2014 report for specific defects.
Is the Kia Cadenza reliable?
The Kia Cadenza has accumulated 144 owner-filed complaints and 5 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. The 2020 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Cadenza.
What are the most common Cadenza problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas are: Engine (30 reports), Electrical System (18 reports), Unknown Or Other (17 reports), Visibility (10 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.
How do I check if my Cadenza has an open recall?
Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Check a Specific Kia Cadenza VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free Kia Cadenza VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily