2016 Kia Cadenza problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility:windshield (3) · Engine (3) · Visibility (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Cadenza model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2023-09-25 · campaign 23V652000 · 1,730,192 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: 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 Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
Risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14, 2023. Owner notification letters were mailed March 29, 2024 through June 18, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC284.
Visibility:windshield 2022-03-15 · campaign 22V158000 · 30,362 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A front windshield that detaches from a vehicle can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the front windshield glass. If necessary, the windshield will be removed and reinstalled. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 13, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC232.
Service bulletins (76)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-03-18 · WTY026_TSB_R2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: warranty extension campaign: oil pressure switch (ops) replacement (wty026 revision 2) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides informa
Engine 2025-12-18 · WTY039_TSB_R7 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: engine sub assembly inspection/replacement (wty039 - revision 7) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information associated with t
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2025-12-09 · PS797 · Other
pitstop: technical operations: external damage to ultrasonic sensor: this pitstop provides information related to parking distance warning (pdw) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. the pdw system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal
Engine 2025-12-01 · WTY039_TSB_R6 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: engine sub assembly inspection/replacement (wty039 revision 6) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information associated with the
Engine 2025-11-04 · WTY039_TSB_R5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: warranty extension campaign (wty039) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information associated with the ‘warranty extension progr
Engine 2025-10-08 · WTY039_TSB_R4 · Warranty Program/Extension
technical service bulletin: engine sub assembly: inspection/replacement (wty039) - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information associated with the ‘warranty
Showing the 6 most recent of 76 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-12-03 · Engine“my 2016 kia cadenza (vin [xxx] ) experienced repeated overheating, coolant loss, and eventually white exhaust smoke consistent with internal coolant intrusion. the issue began mid-2025 and worsened over time. despite reporting overheating and coolant loss to central kia of plano, the dealership failed to diagnose the problem, did not escalate to te…”
2025-09-04 · Unknown Or Other“i am submitting this complaint regarding a 2016 kia cadenza (vin: [xxx] ) and kia’s repeated failure to properly diagnose or repair a serious overheating/safety defect despite this being a well-documented and known issue affecting these engines. vehicle and service information •vehicle: 2016 kia cadenza (vin: [xxx] ) •mileage: ~129,608 •dealer inv…”
2025-05-12 · Visibility:windshield“the contact owns a 2016 kia cadenza. the contact stated that there was water and air leaking through the windshield of the vehicle. the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 22v158000 (visibility); however, the dealer inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the repair was not necessary. the contact …”
2025-03-18 · Unknown Or Other“while driving down the highway, i heard a loud boom and my sunroof exploded sending glass everywhere all through the car with my kids in the backseat. driving straight on the highway at 60 miles per hour and nothing to hit the glass, something is definitely wrong with the pano sunroof on these cars.…”
2024-05-02 · Visibility“the contact owns a 2016 kia cadenza. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front windshield, after which she observed that the windshield had begun to crack and was leaking. the vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the windshield bonding. the vehicle was r…”
2024-04-29 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2016 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 dealer was made aware of the issue and co…”
2023-12-20 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic“the contact owns a 2016 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.…”
2023-10-03 · Visibility:windshield · 140,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 kia cadenza. the contact stated that there was water leaking into the vehicle from the top of the front windshield. there were no warning lights illuminated. the contact called the local dealer, who stated there was no recall. the manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the dealer. the vehicle was taken back t…”
2023-05-25 · Visibility“the contact owns a 2016 kia cadenza. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v158000 (visibility) 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 dealer was made aware of the issue. the manufacturer was…”
2022-07-08 · Engine“per the kia dealer head bolts have loosened up which have resulted in engine failure.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.