2014 Kia Cadenza Reliability
The 2014 Kia Cadenza has 111 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and service brakes. Compared with nearby Cadenza model years (2014–2016), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Cadenza's typical year, while the 2015 has a cleaner record.
By CarWhere Research · Updated 2026-11-04 · Source: NHTSA
111
NHTSA owner complaints
3
Recall campaigns
3
Complaints citing a crash
3
Complaints citing a fire
2014 Kia Cadenza complaints by component
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2014 model year, filed between 2014 and 2026. A complaint can name more than one component.
| Component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 28 | 25% |
| Service brakes | 23 | 21% |
| Visibility / wipers | 16 | 14% |
| Unknown or other | 14 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 12% |
| Steering | 12 | 11% |
| Body structure | 8 | 7% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 7 | 6% |
2014 Kia Cadenza recalls
3 recall campaigns on NHTSA record for the 2014 model year, by the date NHTSA received the manufacturer's report. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14V289000 | May 30, 2014 | 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… |
| 22V158000 | Mar 15, 2022 | Visibility / wipers — 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. |
| 23V652000 | Sep 25, 2023 | Service brakes — 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…NHTSA advisory: park outside until repaired. |
How the 2014 compares with nearby Cadenza years
Verdicts compare these Cadenza model years with each other.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 (this page) | 111 | 3 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2015 | 48 | 2 | Electrical system | Solid |
| 2016 | 14 | 2 | Visibility / wipers | Too few reports |
Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so they compare years of the same model rather than different models.
What to check on a used 2014 Kia Cadenza
- Engine: cold-start it yourself, listen for ticking or knocking, check for oil leaks and oil consumption, and ask for oil-change records.
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Visibility: test the wipers at every speed, washers, defrosters and the climate system (fogging is a common complaint).
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Recalls: confirm each of the 3 campaigns above was completed on this VIN; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records, and have an independent mechanic inspect the car before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any 2014 Kia Cadenza can be better or worse than its model year. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
2014 Kia Cadenza reliability FAQ
Is the 2014 Kia Cadenza reliable?
The 2014 Kia Cadenza has 111 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on file with NHTSA, most often about engine and service brakes. Compared with nearby Cadenza model years (2014–2016), it rates as a year to avoid: its complaint rate runs well above the Cadenza's typical year, while the 2015 has a cleaner record.
What are the most common 2014 Kia Cadenza problems?
The most-reported problem areas in NHTSA owner complaints for the 2014 Kia Cadenza are engine (28), service brakes (23), visibility / wipers (16), unknown or other (14). One complaint can name more than one component.
Does the 2014 Kia Cadenza have recalls?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2014 Kia Cadenza, including 14V289000 (wheels) and 22V158000 (visibility / wipers — windshield). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How does the 2014 Kia Cadenza compare with the 2013 and 2015 models?
By NHTSA records, the 2015 has 48 complaints and 2 recalls (solid). The 2014 has 111 complaints and 3 recalls.
How do I check a specific used 2014 Kia Cadenza?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
More Kia Cadenza research
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints (all body-style listings for the 2014 Cadenza, de-duplicated by complaint number) and NHTSA recall campaigns, retrieved 2026-11-04.