First generation (VG)
2014 Kia Cadenza
The most reported problem on the 2014 Kia Cadenza is brake wear, with 23 complaints, usually around 55,000 miles.
- 105owner complaints
- 3recalls
- 2involved a crash
- 50,700median miles at failure
Newest report Jul 3, 2026 · checked Oct 2, 2026
Problem sheets
No single problem on the 2014 Kia Cadenza has enough owner reports for a sheet of its own yet. The counts below still cover every complaint on file.
Is the 2014 Kia Cadenza reliable?
The 2014 Kia Cadenza has 105 owner complaints on file with NHTSA, less than half the median of 318 for 2014 sedans on this site. Of the 4 Cadenza model years since 2014, it has the most complaints. Complaint counts rise with sales as well as faults, so read what owners report below before deciding.
At a glance
- Next to other model years
- Complaints filed before 2015 aren't in the files this site reads, so the 2014 count runs short and isn't compared with the model years next to it.
- Top problem
- Brake wear leads with 23 of the 105 complaints (22%), ahead of windshield at 13. A quarter of the 11 owners who gave a mileage for brake wear saw it by about 41,000 miles, and half by about 55,000.
- Crash, fire and injury reports
- 9 of the 105 complaints (9%) report a crash, a fire or an injury, a little above the 6% typical of vehicles on this site. Counted separately (one report can carry more than one), 2 reports mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 7 people were hurt.
- Recalls behind the top problems
- 3 recalls are on file, but no problem here has enough reports to set against them.
- When owners filed
- Filings peaked in 2024 at 21 (full calendar years only). In 2025 there were 7. So far in 2026, 1 more has come in. Filings on record start in 2015.
When each problem shows up
Each bar covers the middle half of the mileages owners reported for that problem. A quarter saw it earlier, a quarter later. The tick is the median. Most reported: brakes grind, pulse or wear early, 23 complaints.
middle half of reports, median tick. The heavier grey bars have 75 or more reports.
Behind you
Around your mileage
Ahead of you
How this compares
105 complaints is 2.9 times fewer than the median 2014 model on this site and 3.0 times fewer than the median 2014 sedan. Among the 1 Cadenza model years here it ranks 1st for complaints. Counts follow sales volume as much as reliability, so a truck that sells 700,000 a year draws more reports than a sedan that sells 200,000.
Service bulletins for the 2014 Kia Cadenza
Kia filed 117 bulletins and other notices with NHTSA that list the 2014 Kia Cadenza. 8 of them deal with a problem owners have reported on this car, 2 of those a warranty extension. Newest first.
Federal rules make a manufacturer send NHTSA a copy of any notice about a defect that goes to more than one dealer or owner. Most of these are service bulletins, the repair instructions manufacturers send to dealers. NHTSA generally leaves safety recall bulletins out of this file, and recalls are listed separately.
Engine failure, knocking or rod bearing 5 bulletins · 10 complaints
ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 REVISION 7) - This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY ...
ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 REVISION 6) This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and ...
3 more on this problem
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN (WTY039) This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and ...
ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY: INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039) This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and ...
WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039) This bulletin provides information associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and ...
Engine rattles or ticks 3 bulletins · 6 complaints
TSB REV4: CHATTER/RATTLE NOISE FROM ENGINE AFTER COLD SOAK THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER REPLACEMENT ON SOME 2014~16MY CADENZA (VG), PRODUCED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2013 THROUGH JANUARY 7, 2016, AND SOME 2014~2015MY SORENTO (XMA) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 17, 2012 THROUGH ...
CHATTER/RATTLE NOISE FROM ENGINE AFTER COLD SOAK THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER REPLACEMENT ON SOME 2014~16MY CADENZA (VG), PRODUCED FROM FEBRUARY 1, 2013 THROUGH JANUARY 7, 2016, AND SOME 2014~2015MY SORENTO (XMA) VEHICLES, PRODUCED FROM DECEMBER 17, 2012 THROUGH ...
1 more on this problem
THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION ABOUT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER REPLACEMENT ON SOME 2014-2016 MY CADENZA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM SOP THROUGH JANUARY 7, 2016, WHICH MAY EXPERIENCE A BRIEF CHATTERING OR RATTLING NOISE CONCERN FROM THE ENGINE AT START-UP ...
Complaints filed by year
21 complaints came in 2024. Owners file in waves when a problem gets press or an investigation, so a spike measures attention as much as failures.
NHTSA investigations
Hyundai and kia abs module fires. Open.
NHTSA summary
Recalls that include the 2014 Kia Cadenza
Whether your car is included depends on its VIN. Check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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 and remedy
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.
All 3 recalls on the 2014 Kia Cadenza, with the owner complaints on each recalled system
Guide NHTSA has an open investigation on this car. What the investigation stages mean
Questions
What is the most common problem on the 2014 Kia Cadenza?
Brake wear, with 23 of the 105 complaints. Owners who gave a mileage for it put the median at about 55,000 miles.
At what mileage do 2014 Kia Cadenza problems start?
Of the 55 complaints that give a mileage, a quarter came by about 24,000 miles and half by about 51,000.
How many 2014 Kia Cadenza complaints involve a crash, fire or injury?
9 of them (9%). The typical vehicle on this site is at 6%.
Is there a recall for brake wear on the 2014 Kia Cadenza?
Yes, NHTSA lists a recall on the same system: 23V-652. Its summary says which failure it covers, and that isn't always the one owners describe.