Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 32 safety complaints
about the 2017 Kia Cadenza with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 1 mentions a fire, 1 person was injured and no death is recorded. 2 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the hydraulic brakes.
The most complained-about system is the engine,
named in 11 complaints, 34% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 17,000 miles,
the median across the 13
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers November 2017 to August 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
32 complaints on file
32
Complaints
4
Describe a crash
1
Mention fire
1
People injured
0
Deaths
A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a
finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts
them.
A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free.
Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can
answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a
model year.
A further 1 defect
investigation is
open and unresolved.
Which system owners named
Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 11 · 34%
11 34%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6 · 19%
6 19%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6 · 19%
6 19%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5 · 16%
5 16%
WHEELS 3 · 9%
3 9%
AIR BAGS 2 · 6%
2 6%
SEAT BELTS 2 · 6%
2 6%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 · 6%
2 6%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 2 · 6%
2 6%
STEERING 2 · 6%
2 6%
SUSPENSION 2 · 6%
2 6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 · 3%
1 3%
0815
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 32.
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2024 at 7.
8 6 4 2
172017182018192019212021232023242024252025262026
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program
NHTSA has not crash tested the 2017 Kia Cadenza. Its New Car Assessment Program
tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach
motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so
an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It
is not a low score.
What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a
different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people
inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke
during ordinary use.
Recall campaigns
2 on file
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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.
The risk
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.
Kia Motors America · up to 379,931 vehicles across all model years covered
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:VACUUM:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
17V190000 · March 16, 2017
The defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Cadenza vehicles. The brake vacuum hose on the affected vehicles may kink, reducing braking performance.
The risk
Reduced braking performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake vacuum hose, replacing it as necessary, free charge. The recall began on April 17, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC146.
Kia Motors America · up to 47 vehicles across all model years covered
Defect investigations
1 on file
An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A
preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering
analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
AQ23002
Still open audit query · opened November 17, 2023
the hydraulic brakes
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando. Safety recalls included in this Audit Query (AQ) review include: Hyundai recalls 20V-520, 20V-543, 21V-161, 21V-160, 21V-303, 22V-056, 22V-810, and 23V-651. Kia recalls 16V-815, 20V-518, 20V-519, 21V-137, 21V-331, 22V-051, 22V-800, and 23V-652 The purpose of this AQ is to evaluate the timeliness and scoping of Hyundai and Kia’s defect decision making and adherence with reporting requirements; and understand the varying defect descriptions and remedies between these recalls.
In owners’ own words
Quoted from the complaint file
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
1 injured · crash · towed · 10,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT LEASED A 2017 KIA CADENZA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CERVICAL STENOSIS AND A HERNIATED DISK IN THE LOWER BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP WHERE IT WAS DEEMED OPERABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.
NHTSA complaint 11112627. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
fire
Problem unknown, i was driving to my friends house with 2 kids, about 2 mins from the house the steering wheel light started flashing on my dashboard, nothing major happening, so slowed down got to the house. When at the house realized a light come from the engine bay. A fire started out of no where. I used a fire extinguisher to put out, even moved some plastic from wheel well to completely put out. Tow truck driver (non mechanic) told kia that the plastic caused the fire. Was told no warranty or recall for kia to do anything for it, i have to pay out of picket for it.
NHTSA complaint 11572486. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
crash · towed · 20,000 miles
I WAS BRAKING APPROACHING A LIGHT ON A STATE ROAD, WHEN THE BRAKE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR SUDDENLY AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE SLOWED BUT DID NOT STOP, I REAR ENDED A VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME.
NHTSA complaint 11166394. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
crash · 14,000 miles
BRAKE ISSUE: I HAD AN ACCIDENT DUE TO A BRAKE FAILURE ON THIS CAR. I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOWLY GOING DOWNHILL (SPEEDS 0 TO 10 MPH) IN A LINE OF CARS STOPPING AND GOING, STOPPING AND GOING MANY TIMES. AT FIRST THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT NORMAL AS PRESSURE WAS APPLIED THE CAR SLOWED THEN PETAL RESISTANCE WOULD DROP AND THE CAR WOULD SPEED UP DUE TO THE DOWNHILL GRADE. I APPLIED FOOT PRESSURE TO PETAL AGAIN AND THE SAME THING HAPPENED OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I SLOWLY RAN INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME MANY TIMES AS IT MOVED FORWARD. THIS CAR HAS AN AUTONOMOUS EMERGENCY BRAKING (AEB) EQUIPPED ON IT. THE AEB IS SUPPOSED TO APPLY BRAKES WHEN YOU'RE ABOUT TO HIT …
NHTSA complaint 11105339, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STEERING
165,000 miles
The contact owns a 2017 Kia Cadenza. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle suddenly lost motive power. The contact waited before restarting the vehicle and continued driving. The ABS warning light was intermittently flashing. The failure became more persistent, causing the vehicle to lose power steering functionality. The power steering and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) and Electronic Control Unit or Engine Control Unit (ECU) had failed. The parts to replace were Part Number: 56340/F60, a genuine OEM Motor Driven Power …
NHTSA complaint 11755228, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
Engine oil light is on and there is a burning smell when I drive. Fear of a fire breaking out in the engine when driving or parked. Had it looked at by a technician and they expressed those concerns to me and that brings me great worry. The service technician believed it was just the oil cap being loose but there was no evidence of that.
NHTSA complaint 11732978. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle harness is burned and under recall sc206 for HECU fuses that was allegedly repaired which should have required a check of the harness connections . part number 91223f6632 is for the wire harness during engine replacement for campaign wty039 I was told the harness was melted and needed replacing , dealer put the car back together and told me we had to wrap up the work and return rental and get my car knowing it is a fire hazard I was in contact with warranty company for escalation who would not cover the recall part according to the dealer , I am still in escalations with Kia I have been left with no vehicle .engine repair was completed via dealer ,but they have reinstalled the …
NHTSA complaint 11727779, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
I currently have a complaint 11709255 regarding the electric thermostat. I just had that part replaced in November of 2025 for the 3rd time. Last week, again I had a warning of engine problem. The next day there was cold air blowing when the heat was on. The dash thermostat immediately began to move to hot. I was thankfully close to home. I turned car off and fan continues to run under the hood. I cannot afford to keep having this part replaced. Please look into this. This is not right.
NHTSA complaint 11725993. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
Check engine was flashing in front of my house in Brookhaven Pa. Took to mechanic around the corner, diagnosed with a blown head gasket & oil in my anti freeze over flow. Internal engine failure. Had towed to Kia dealership in NJ
NHTSA complaint 11723674. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
ENGINE
I have and am the original owner of a Kia Cadenza 2017 with the 3.3L Lambda engine (same engine as the Sorento lawsuit). The vehicle is currently at the dealership getting repaired due to carbon buildup causing the fuel injectors to malfunction( despite of consistently being on top of maintenance and oil changes).I have read online of lots of users with failed engines due to carbon buildup in these engines. The warning lights I got were p0171,p0174, and p0191, and am worried that after the repair the engine will eventually fail due to the buildup as the main issue isn’t properly being addressed. The issue occurred about 300 miles ago where the dealership erased it. Then told the vehicle did …
NHTSA complaint 11716465, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's
lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How
many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by
the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed March 4, 2021.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst