Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. Highlighted: 2014. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2018.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 Cadenza | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 Cadenza | 5 | 1 |
| 2018 Cadenza | 7 | 1 |
| 2017 Cadenza | 33 | 2 |
| 2016 Cadenza | 14 | 2 |
| 2015 Cadenza | 48 | 2 |
| 2014 CadenzaMost complaints | 111 | 3 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Engine64
- Unknown or other34
- Electrical system33
- Visibility25
- Service brakes, hydraulic24
- Steering18
- Structure12
- Service brakes11
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 36 Cadenza vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 19 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | 1 | 1 |
| 2017 | 8 | 3 |
| 2016 | 2 | 1 |
| 2015 | 5 | 3 |
| 2014 | 19 | 11 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 7 model-year variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 2020 Kia Cadenza 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2019 | 2019 Kia Cadenza 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2018 | 2018 Kia Cadenza 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2017 | 2017 Kia Cadenza 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2016 | 2016 Kia Cadenza 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2015 | 2015 Kia Cadenza 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2014 | 2014 Kia Cadenza 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 6 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 10.2–10.9 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Cadenza · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 11.6 | 8.5 | 10.2 |
| 2018 | Cadenza · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 11.5 | 8.5 | 10.2 |
| 2017 | Cadenza · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 11.5 | 8.5 | 10.2 |
| 2016 | Cadenza · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 12.7 | 8.4 | 10.7 |
| 2015 | Cadenza · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 12.7 | 8.4 | 10.7 |
| 2014 | Cadenza · Full-size · Regular gasoline | 12.7 | 8.8 | 10.9 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
New registrations in Europe
29 new Kia Cadenza cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2011 and 2016, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2016 the largest markets were Italy (1), Austria (1).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 2 | — |
| 2012 | 25 | — |
| 2011 | 2 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the Cadenza in 1 alert. European versions can differ from the North American car.
Due to a slight internal leak of brake fluid, a short circuit may occur in the electrical circuit for the Anti-lock Braking System / Electronic Stability Control (ABS / ESC) system. This can lead to an increase in current and overheating in the fuse box, incre…
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
6 campaigns cover the Cadenza.
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.
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.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Cadenza vehicles. The rear power windows can be operated by the driver's power window main switch after the ignition has been turned off and a front door is opened. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compartment.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Cadenza vehicles. The brake vacuum hose on the affected vehicles may kink, reducing braking performance.
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.
NHTSA recalls