2019 Kia Cadenza: common problems and reliability

The 2019 Kia Cadenza has 4 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 1 recall on record. The most-reported areas are tires and engine. Owners most often flag catastrophic engine failure (lambda 3.3l gdi v6) — very frequent reports of blown head gaskets, loss of compression, and complete engine replacements, often covered under warranty extensions but causing months of downtime. frequency: very frequent.

Safety record for the 2019 model year

4
Owner complaints
1
Recalls
0
Crash reports
0
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2019 Kia Cadenza vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

tires
1
engine
1
steering
1
exterior lighting
1
lane departure
1

Recalls affecting the 2019 Cadenza

service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

Campaign 21V137000

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2021 Sportage and Cadenza vehicles. The electrical circuit in the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may short-circuit, which can cause a fire in the engine compar…

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided, creating a high-risk, high-reward ownership profile. A significant portion of long-term owner reports praise the Cadenza for its excellent value proposition, offering a comfortable ride, supportive seats for long journeys, and a w

  • Catastrophic engine failure (Lambda 3.3L GDI V6) — very frequent reports of blown head gaskets, loss of compression, and complete engine replacements, often covered under warranty extensions but causing months of downtime. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Excessive repair times — warranty repairs, particularly engine replacements, consistently reported to take multiple weeks to several months due to parts availability and dealership service delays. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Oil leaks — recurrent issues with valve cover, timing cover, and oil pan gaskets following major engine work. Frequency: recurrent.
  • High-pressure fuel pump failure — noted as a point of failure requiring replacement. Frequency: isolated.
  • Cooling system issues — overheating problems linked to lower hoses and thermostat failures, potentially leading to engine damage if ignored. Frequency: isolated.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Cadenza.

Typical used price

Used Cadenza listings typically run $10,195–$16,777 across 2014 to 2020 model years.

Other Cadenza model years

2016 Cadenza
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