Is the 2014 Kia CADENZA reliable?

The 2014 Kia CADENZA has 146 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2014 Kia CADENZA?

Top problems: ENGINE (28 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (24 complaints, avg repair $500); VISIBILITY (16 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2014 Kia CADENZA?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): WHEELS, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. Contact any Kia dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2014 Kia CADENZA?

The 2014 Kia CADENZA gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2014 Kia CADENZA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2014 Kia CADENZA is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2014 Kia CADENZA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2014 Kia CADENZA has 146 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.4x the segment average of 43. The most common issue is engine problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: on saturday - november 22, 2014 around 6:30 pm the car engine stopped and car rolled for few feet and stopped in the middle of the street. also steering jammed and didn't move. it was stopped and didn't start back on and steering became very hard to crank it. the battery was running fine. due to ele. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 2 crash reports 9 injuries

146

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

3.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

28 complaints

19%

• ON SATURDAY - NOVEMBER 22, 2014 AROUND 6:30 PM THE CAR ENGINE STOPPED AND CAR ROLLED FOR FEW FEET AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. ALSO STEERING JAMMED AND DIDN'T MOVE. IT WAS STOPPED AND DIDN'T START BACK ON AND STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO CRANK IT. THE BATTERY WAS RUNNING FINE. DUE TO ELE
• WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, IF DONE IN A START, STOP, RESTART FASHION, IT DOES NOT IMMEDIATELY RE-ACCELERATE. THIS CONDITION CAN OCCUR WHEN STOPPING PRIOR TO PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. *TR
• ENGINE WAS MAKING A NOISE AND FOWL ODOR FROM VENTS TOOK TO KIA DEALER AFTER A WK THEY DIDN'T KNOW THE PROBLEM SAID IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE BACK TO LAS VEGAS FROM CALIF ONCE WE ARRIVED WE CALLED LOCAL DEALER THEY REPLACED ENGINE SO THEY SAID. THEN 2 WKS LATER WE GET IT BACK I BEGAN HAVING SITE THROAT CO

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 1 fire reports

“ON SATURDAY - NOVEMBER 22, 2014 AROUND 6:30 PM THE CAR ENGINE STOPPED AND CAR ROLLED FOR FEW FEET AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. ALSO STEERING JAMMED AND DIDN'T MOVE. IT WAS STOPPED AND DIDN'T START BACK ON AND STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO CRANK IT. THE BATTERY WAS RUNNING FINE. DUE TO ELE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2014 Kia CADENZA

Based on 71 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 46K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

Reported earliermedian 56K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 38K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 56K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 50K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 34K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (3)

WHEELS30/05/2014

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: A wheel fracture could cause the circular rim to separate, resulting in a loss of tire pressure, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2014 Kia CADENZA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,715/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2014 Kia CADENZA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Kia CADENZA Service Intervals

Oil change

8K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

8K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

60K mi

Spark plugs

90K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

Turbo engines (Optima 2.0T, Sorento 2.5T) may benefit from more frequent oil changes.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Kia New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

5 yr / 60K mi

Powertrain

10 yr / 100K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

5 yr / 60K mi

10 year powertrain not transferable to subsequent owners

These are the terms for a new Kia. If you're buying a used 2014 CADENZA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Kia dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 146 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: ON SATURDAY - NOVEMBER 22, 2014 AROUND 6:30 PM THE CAR ENGINE STOPPED AND CAR ROLLED FOR FEW FEET AND STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. ALSO STEERING JAMMED AND DIDN'T MOVE. IT WAS STOPPED AND DIDN'T START BACK ON AND STEERING BECAME VERY HARD TO CRANK IT. THE BATTERY WAS RUNNING FINE. DUE TO ELE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 KIA CADENZA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DOWNHILL, THE BRAKE PEDAL FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ROLL UNTIL IT REACHED A FLAT SURFACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY FAILED. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. IN ADDITION
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
VISIBILITY: WHILE DRIVING DOWN 95 S FROM COLUMBIA I HEARD A LOUD POP AND THEN THE SUN ROOF COVER SLID BACK (IT HAD BEEN CLOSED) AND THE SUNROOF GLASS SHATTERED DOWN ON MY PASSENGER AND MY HEAD AND INTO THE CAR. WE LOOKED UP AND WE COULD SEE THE SKY. THE GLASS WAS POINTING UPWARD. NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS HAPPENING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: THE "SMART KEY" FOR THIS VEHICLE IS A NEW DESIGN, RELEASED FOR THE 2013 KDM KIA K7, AND HAS A RELEASE BUTTON WHERE THE PLASTIC KEY/REMOTE PART MAY BE REMOVED TO EXPOSE A METAL CENTER-CUT KEY THAT CAN BE USED ON THE DRIVER'S DOOR, TRUNK, OR GLOVE COMPARTMENT. THE RELEASE WILL DETACH THE KEY WELL BEFO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Kia dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)