YearToAvoid

2014 Kia Cadenza Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 7 Cadenza years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2014 Kia Cadenza has 110 NHTSA complaints, a complaint index of 100, and ranks worst (1st) of 7 model years. Engine problems lead at 28% of complaints, with 3 recalls covering brakes, windshield bonding, and wheels.

Complaints
110
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
3 / 3
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 28 hwy

Top 2014 Kia Cadenza problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine31 (28%)
  2. Brakes23 (21%)
  3. Electrical System16 (15%)
  4. Visibility & Wipers16 (15%)
  5. Other14 (13%)
  6. Steering12 (11%)
  7. Structure & Body8 (7%)
  8. Transmission & Powertrain7 (6%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (5%)
  10. Fuel System5 (5%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden loss of power and all electrical components shutting off while driving, followed by heavy steering and no braking assist.
  • Some describe the engine stalling and rolling to a stop mid-street, with the steering jamming and becoming very hard to turn.
  • One owner reported the vehicle catching fire while parked, with the fire department extinguishing it and the cause listed as undetermined.
  • Owners describe hesitation when accelerating from a stop-and-go pattern, where the car does not immediately re-accelerate.
  • A fuel pump filter was reported to fail at 3,300 miles, causing abnormal noise and difficulty maneuvering.
  • One owner noted the smart key's metal center-cut key can detach before the release button is flush, allowing unintended removal.
2014 Kia Cadenza complaints: complaints filed per quarter162014 Q12015 Q32017 Q12018 Q32020 Q12021 Q42023 Q22024 Q4
146 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2014 Q1 to 2026 Q3; peak 2024 Q1 (16).

2014 Kia Cadenza recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V652000Sep 25, 2023Brakes1,730,192 vehiclesPark Outside

    Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

    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.

    Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.

    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.

  2. NHTSA 22V158000Mar 15, 2022Visibility & Wipers30,362 vehicles

    Visibility:windshield

    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.

    Risk: A front windshield that detaches from a vehicle can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

    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.

  3. NHTSA 14V289000May 30, 2014Suspension, Wheels & Tires3,107 vehicles

    Wheels

    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.

    Risk: A wheel fracture could cause the circular rim to separate, resulting in a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.

    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.

2014 Kia Cadenza fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
28 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$2,950
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2014 compared with other Cadenza years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002014201520162017201820192020
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Avoid100110322
2015Avoid8348222
2016Caution5014222

All Kia Cadenza years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2014 Kia Cadenza reliable?
NHTSA data shows the 2014 Cadenza has 110 complaints and a complaint index of 100, the highest among the 7 model years tracked, giving it an 'Avoid' verdict relative to other Cadenza years.
What are the most common problems with the 2014 Kia Cadenza?
Engine issues account for 28% of complaints (31 total), followed by brakes at 21% (23 complaints), and electrical system and visibility/wipers each at 15% (16 complaints each).
Does the 2014 Kia Cadenza have any recalls?
Yes, it has 3 recalls: one for brakes (park outside advised), one for windshield bonding issues, and one for defective 19-inch aluminum wheels.
What mileage do 2014 Cadenza problems typically appear at?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 48,500 miles overall, with engine complaints around 47,000 miles and brake complaints around 50,430 miles.
How does the 2014 Cadenza compare to other years?
The 2014 model ranks worst of 7 years with a complaint index of 100, while 2019 ranks best with an index of just 17.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.