Kia Cadenza Complaints (2015)

48 consumer complaints on file.

#11726927March 25, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle: 2015 Kia Cadenza Issue: Open HECU Safety Recall — Fire Risk I am the owner of a 2015 Kia Cadenza with an open HECU recall related to a known fire risk. I have been experiencing a burning smell inside the cabin of the vehicle, consistent with the recall defect. Upon contacting Kia Consumer Assistance, I was advised not to drive the vehicle due to the fire risk and to have it towed to a dealer. However, after calling multiple Kia dealers in the Pittsburgh, PA area, the earliest available appointment is over one week away. Kia Consumer Assistance called dealers on my behalf and was unable to secure an earlier appointment. They said they could "Look into a potential reimbursement of $55/day for a rental vehicle." but could not confirm a loaner. I am concerned that Kia is not treating this recall with the urgency a fire risk warrants. I WAS NOT PROACTIVELY CONTACTED ABOUT THIS RECALL DESPITE MY VIN BEING AFFECTED. I am now without transportation, my vehicle cannot be safely driven or stored in an enclosed space, and I am waiting over a week for a repair on a vehicle that could combust. I am requesting NHTSA review whether Kia is adequately addressing this recall with appropriate urgency and dealer capacity.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11714783February 1, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, VISIBILITY/WIPER
My entire Dash went Black. I could not see speed, gas level, milage. This is an extreme Hazard! I brought the car into "Crown KIA" in Clearwater to run a Diagnostic Check for 0.5 hour at $150 and they could not find the problem. I had no money to pay for additional time! I did research on this and found that this is a common problem with KIA's no matter what year!! Just because my particular VIN # is not on the recall should not absolve KIA from their duty to provide a safe reliable car!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11639095January 28, 2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
The bulbs had originally been replaced in 2021 at the dealer. We took the car to the dealer November 26, 2024 having noticed how dim they were around May 2024. The dealer states no problem was found, lights appear to be working normally. These are HID lights. The DS1 bulb color is white, and the composite lens color is clear. The dealer has no idea what the problem could be. Called the xenon bulb manufacturer. They believe that with the bulbs only being 4 years old and the light being bright and even white(they're rated 5K) the problem is elsewhere in the electrical system. The dealer made a similar comment about their color when the car was checked. The dealer rechecked the lights 01/26/25, still could not identify a problem, and suggested that we start by replacing the bulbs, then move on from there. These bulbs retail for $400 and headlight assemblies run about $1700 ea. I advised that you cannot see much past the front of the car with the lights on and that either the high beams or fog lights need to be on when conditions dictate the use of the lights. It is nearly impossible to discern road hazards such as potholes or potential problems on the roadside within the headlamps arc.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11617971October 3, 2024
ENGINE
Engine seized. 3.3L Lambda II GDI. This is the 2nd Hyundai/KIA product that the engine has seized on me. Both with bearing failure. Neither on the list of recalled engines. You need to do a more thorough investigation into Hyundai/KIAs engines. The brands share the same power trains across the entire line up for a number of years. This class of engines has been produced for YEARS along with the Theta class of engines that you already forced Hyundai/KIA to recall. This seizure has cost me THOUSANDS and additional THOUSANDS that I am unable to pay. I was forced to do a voluntary surrender of the vehicle due to this repairs! BEFORE completing the suggested maintenance totaling over 5 thousand dollars the service tech should have warned me that the engine wasn't going to last much longer instead of telling me that the repairs were necessary and could be dangerous. The dealer and this company took advantage of me and who knows how many others! NHTSA needs to do something about Hyundai/KIA!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11617737October 2, 2024
ENGINE
There are thousands of vejicles with a variant of the 3.3L V6 Lambda II GDI Hyundai/KIA class of engines on the road. There are hundreds if not thousands of complaints regarding different variants of this engine throught Hyundai/KIAs line up. All of them with seized engines. There are class action lawsuits in other countries regarding this engine. They have known since before 2015 that these engines were defective! Just like with the Theta class of engines these engines also have bad engine components. The metal that is used is subpar. These engines need to be recalled. Every owner needs a replacement engine. The little people need justice. Every day someone is affected by a Hyundai/KIA product in a major way. $11,000 dollar engine. Every service completed every repair completed every recall completed thousands of dollars invested into this vehicle only to have it fail me. Now I am stuck like many others with a car that I am forced to surrender to my lender because of the negligence of a huge corporation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11617609October 1, 2024
ENGINE
PLEASE OPEN AN INVESTIGATION INTO HYUNDAI/KIA LAMBDA II CLASS OF ENGINES! THEY ARE LEAVING HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES STRANDED! NHTSA NEEDS TO DO BETTER! STAND UP TO KIA MAKE THEM FIX THESE ENGINES! ITS UNFAIR TO THE LITTLE PEOPLE AKA THE CONSUMER! STOP PROTECTING THE GIANT COMPANIES!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11616271September 24, 2024
ENGINE
At startup I experienced a knock in the engine which seemed to have gone away. I notified the KIA dealership of the issue. The service advisor told me to drive the vehicle in for service. While attempting to drive the vehicle in for service the vehicle TURNED OFF while going 55MPH without any warning at all. KIA diagnosed the vehicle with a failed crank bearing and that it can happen to high mileage vehicles despite imbecile maintenance records. I have read hundreds of complaints regarding the HYUNDAI/KIA 3.3L Lambda II class engines and faliures at various mileage. Prior to this vehicle i owned a 2012 Buick Regal CXL Turbo. When I decided I no longer wanted to invest any money into it it had over 280,000 miles on it. The engine and transmission were still running strong. I believe that the quality of the materials used and the workmanship is below what the standard should be. Also considering all of the problems that this corporation has had with other engines who is to say that these engines are not also defective?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11615277September 18, 2024
ENGINE
Engine seized without warning while driving at approx 50mph. This occurred within 6,000 miles of a KIA dealership performing a 6,000 dollar maintenance to the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11589376May 17, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I received a letter dated November 14, 2023 from KIA America identifying a defect in my vehicle which relates to motor vehicle safety. The defect in the hydrolic electronic control unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short in the engine compartment which can result in an engine fire while driving or parked. It is recommended to park outdoors and away from other vehicles. Status checks on the recall were done on 3/10/2024, 4/24/2024 and 5/17/2024 with KIA Customer Care Center at 800-333-4542 which as ot today the recorded message indicates no solution is available yet. I am preparing to take my family on a road trip in July and I am not happy about the suggestion of parking my car outdoors during Nebraska storm season.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11579621March 26, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I received a recall letter dated [XXX] with NHTSA Recall #: [XXX] for 2015 Kia Cadenza Vin# [XXX] . I contacted Kia's customer care number on or around January 17, 2024 as I had started having more and more electrical problems associated with this recall. My compass direction on my rear view mirror has not worked for well over a year and a half. I cannot lock my car with my key fob going on a year now. If I do lock it with the key fob, my car alarm randomly goes off multiple multiple times. Now my interior lights are not properly going off when you shut the door, and flicker when manually turning them on. The letter clearly states that a fire could happen either while parked or driving. This is my primary means of transportation, but at this point it is going on 5 months since the recall was issued. I definitely have safety concerns at this point, and feel that this has taken far longer than should have. What are the next steps to actively get the ball rolling to get this taken care of so that we don't have to move forward in far more complicated ways? Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you with an active solution. : ) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11571613February 13, 2024
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Cadenza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. The contact stated this still does not resolve or fix the problem and does not want her or anybody else vehicle to catch on fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11570350February 6, 2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Kia has issued a partial recall, NHTSA Recall Number 23V652000, but has still not established a remedy so that dealers can alleviate the problem. The current recommendation is to not park my car in a garage or near other objects. So, it is a potentially dangerous situation and the delay in Kia's finding a remedy is unacceptable. I have contacted two dealers and their hands are tied until they are told what to do.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566792January 21, 2024
ENGINE
Soft engine block issues causing headboats to pull out and head gasket to fail. Slight movement in temperature gauge and check engine light begin to flash. Sometimes sometime later after stopping at light check engine light came on flashing, Turn car off and restart engine., Car would not move, Turn vehicle off and then back on again. Finally able to get it removed off the highway. Service manager at dealership indicated that this was beginning to be a known issue with this V6 engine and. Occurring with engines over a hundred and fifty thousand miles. This is a documented and known issue with minute of Kia engines. Also consulted with an independent mechanic who acknowledged that this is a known issue with kia engines and recommended, as did the dealer that the engine be replaced.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566794January 21, 2024
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
To date comma manufacturer has failed to address the n h t s a recall number 23 v 652. Received interim recall notice in approximately September October of 2023, to date. There has been no action or contact from manufacturer as to when this vehicle should be brought in for service.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11561995December 27, 2023
ENGINE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
There’s something drawing the battery AMPS down. This has been an ongoing problem for the last 6 months. Per Kia techs, it was my battery and grounds needed cleaning. Battery changed, techs cleaned all the grounds the problem still exists. I was informed that it was the alternator, new alternator installed. Problem still remains. A new starter installed, problem still exists.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11561800December 26, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, ENGINE, STEERING
The same engine in these 2015 - 2016 Kia Cadenzas is the same engine present in the Kia Sorentos which have been being investigated for early failure, My kia cadenza stalled at 63 miles per hour on route 73 in new jersey and ever since I've been terrified of it, the dealer (Burlington Kia of South Jersey) told me this is common, and they have stingers and most cars with this same 3.3 engine in for the same failure and it just boggles my mind, I was driving and stalled at 68 while cars are flying by me all because of a known failure? Something that is common and known? I looked up what my diagnosis of my engine was when it was towed into the dealer and my searches lit up with the same problems and the same story from others, I'm just more concerned on how this isn't a recall, if it's known the vehicle can smoke overheat and stall while moving why not warn anyone? If I would of known this I could of done something rather then be put in a situation where I bought a $11,000 car with no warranty as it had only 85k miles, and it blows up in less then a year due to something that is known. The only reason I came to find out about how common this is, is because my mechanic (a secondary shop) told me this is very common with these 3.3 Lambda engines, yet kia still fails to let people know.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11560688December 18, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UNKNOWN, for the past few weeks I have been driving my car and smelling what I believe is something burning. Once I received the letter stating the safety recall, I spoke with Kia customer service and they are not helpful on time frame of when it will be fixed. This is my only car and the fact that I was told by the representative that it would be up to me to find my own means of getting to work, or if I drove the car, it would be on me, without giving any help or refund for needing to rent/lease a car. I feel that for a recall of this matter, Kia should be responsible in renting cars to people that are driving their vehicles, as for my case, I either risk driving a car that could start a compartment fire and seriously injure myself/my family/ or others driving/walking near my car. Something needs to be done, and as the representative stated, they do not have a timeframe for a remedy to fix this issue
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11558826December 6, 2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Cadenza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the heat was activated, and the contact became aware that the temperature gauge was inoperable. The contact stated there was no heat blowing out of the vents and the radio volume on the steering wheel was also inoperable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The dealer was made aware of the failure but confirmed that parts were not yet available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,925.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11557740November 30, 2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2015 Kia Cadenza. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11528358June 22, 2023
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
On 5/2023, my ‘15 Kia Cadenza broke down due to the front right coil spring breaking. I was driving 25mph on a flat surface. After it broke, there was continual clicking to the right side of the vehicle, a loud airplane-like noise, and the sound of metal grinding. Nobody was hurt, more scared. No messages appeared on the dashboard. The coil spring breaking caused a domino effect of other damages to the vehicle’s right side: strut, insulator, speed sensor, and tire. It made steering difficult and the vehicle undrivable. The vehicle had to be towed to the nearest mechanic. The mechanic explained what was replaced to the right should be performed to the left at the same time (excluding left tire). The total amount to complete the work was $1,681.98. I received the KIA Recall Service Campaign to the front coil springs on 10/23, (5 months after). On 11/8, the KIA replaced a hood switch (unrelated to this claim for reimbursement) and to look over the coil spring work not performed by them. (See the dealer invoice). A reimbursement request was sent 11/12. On 12/8/22, KIA expressed that my claim “has been reviewed and we are happy to inform you that we are working on processing your total reimbursement” (see email attachment). On 2/1/23, a check arrived in the mail for $746.75 - not the “total” amount I submitted for. Their communication is misleading! Kia states, “this does not include other parts of the front suspension that might require replacement due to normal usage or wear and tear.” I beg to differ because the breakage of other parts of the front suspension was not due to "normal usage or wear and tear," it was caused by the domino effect which originated from the coil spring breaking. The mechanic had to get the parts directly from KIA. The mechanic tried to get the parts from third party companies, but no one was selling them anymore. To me this means there is a known issue. I am still seeking reimbursement for the remaining money: $935.23.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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