Kia

Cadenza

Large Cars · model years 2014 to 2020

The verdict

Worst year: 2014. complaints: 109, about 7.8x this model's typical 14; recalls: 3, about 1.5x this model's typical 2.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Kia Cadenza
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	Top complaints
2014	1Gas	22	293	$2,850	3	109	1 (1 open)	ENGINE 19%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 11%, VISIBILITY 10%
complaints: 109, about 7.8x this model's typical 14 recalls: 3, about 1.5x this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 NHTSA advised parking the 2014 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.0 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	1Gas	22	293	$2,850	2	48	1 (1 open)	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 20%, ENGINE 20%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%
complaints: 48, about 3.4x this model's typical 14 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 NHTSA advised parking the 2015 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	1Gas	22	293	$2,850	2	14	1 (1 open)	VISIBILITY 35%, ENGINE 24%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 12%
complaints: 14, in line with this model's typical 14 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 NHTSA advised parking the 2016 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 37 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	1Gas	23	290	$2,700	2	31	1 (1 open)	ENGINE 23%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%
complaints: 31, about 2.2x this model's typical 14 recalls: 2, in line with this model's typical 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 NHTSA advised parking the 2017 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	1Gas	23	290	$2,700	1	6	1 (1 open)	ENGINE 71%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 29%
complaints: 6, below this model's typical 14 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 2 NHTSA advised parking the 2018 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 51 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	1Gas	23	290	$2,700	1	2	1 (1 open)	EXTERIOR LIGHTING 25%, LANE DEPARTURE 25%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 25%
complaints: 2, below this model's typical 14 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 2 NHTSA advised parking the 2019 model year outdoors over fire risk open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 55 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	1Gas	23	290	$2,700	1	0	1 (1 open)	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 14 recalls: 1, below this model's typical 2 open NHTSA investigations: 1 Score: 82 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2014: 22 to 2020: 23

Owner complaints2014: 109 to 2020: 0

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Kia Cadenza to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.