This page covers 2 recalls, 48 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Kia Cadenza.
22 mpg combined
10.7 L/100km
Large Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
Engine complaints dominate what 2015 Cadenza owners report, with the most serious descriptions involving the 3.3L V6 seizing due to bearing failure, often with little or no warning. Owners describe sudden loss of power and engines that stop running entirely, sometimes after relatively normal mileage. The electrical system draws the next largest share of complaints, where owners report the instrument cluster going completely dark while driving, leaving them without speed, fuel level, or other basic readouts. Visibility rounds out the top reported systems, with several owners noting that HID headlights appear noticeably dim, sometimes after bulb replacement, and at least one dealer reportedly found no fault despite the owner's concern. The instrument cluster blackout and engine seizure reports are the two symptoms that come up most consistently across this complaint set.
48
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Kia Cadenza has two recalls, the more serious being a potential engine compartment fire that can occur whether the vehicle is parked or in use.
The ABS control module can fail in a way that generates enough heat to start a fire under the hood, raising the risk of injury to occupants or bystanders. The second recall involves the front windshield, which may not have been properly bonded to the body during manufacturing and can detach while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The hydraulic electronic control unit may short electrically, potentially causing an engine compartment fire while the vehicle is parked or driving.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the HECU fuse at no charge to restore proper electrical function.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front windshield may not be properly bonded to the vehicle during manufacturing, which could cause it to detach.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the windshield and remove and reinstall it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
