2016 Kia Cadenza Safety Report
2016 KIA CADENZA Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Kia Cadenza
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Kia Cadenza. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (2) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (14) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Visibility | Compare visibility issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2019 | Compare against the 2019 Kia Cadenza with 2 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Kia Cadenza before buying across this generation. |
Kia Cadenza Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Cadenza years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Kia Cadenza | 29 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Kia Cadenza | 48 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Kia Cadenza | 6 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Kia Cadenza | 2 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Kia Cadenza Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Kia Cadenza, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Visibility
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Kia onlyEngine
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyService Brakes, Hydraulic
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes, Hydraulic issues Kia onlyElectrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Engine issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlySuspension
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Suspension issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Kia Cadenza
Reliability Score
The 2016 Kia Cadenza receives a reliability score of 82 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2016 Kia Cadenza
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Kia Cadenza:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic Recalled by Kia for potential issues with the control unit/module. This affects 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, and 2010-2013 Forte. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Windshield Recalled by Kia for manufacturing defects leading to leaks and structural issues. This affects all 2014-2016 Cadenza vehicles. |
High | Common | all miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Kia Cadenza:
23% of reported issues involve service brakes, hydraulic, indicating a moderate concern.
45% of reported issues involve windshield problems, indicating a high concern.
Recall Details for the 2016 Kia Cadenza
The following 2 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Kia Cadenza by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: 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...
Summary: 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.
Consequence: A front windshield that detaches from a vehicle can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Kia Cadenza
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Kia Cadenza with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
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 Techline, and did not check or apply Kia Service Act...
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 Involved: Central Kia of Plano (Plano, TX) •Repair Or...
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 stated that while the vehicle was at the car wash,...
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.
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 repaired, but the failure reoccurred. After investi...
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 confirmed that parts were not yet available. The man...
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. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN to...
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 to the local dealer to be repaired under NHTSA Camp...
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 made aware of the issue. The contact had not expe...
Per the Kia dealer head bolts have loosened up which have resulted in engine failure.
While driving, I heard a loud pop followed by a loud grinding noise. I wqs able to pull over and noticed the passenger front side of the car was lower than the rest of the car. At around 75k the passenger side strut went out. Fast forward 2 months later, driving my car the same thing happened but to the drivers side. Both struts needing replaced by 80k. Definitely should be a recall on these strut...
The Windshield is a defect on the cadenzas, as the seals break on them. It lifts up while driving or even shutting my doors, which I see as a safety hazard. It causes water to leak into the car by where my feet are and from the top of the windshield as well. I believe this is causing my car and other cadenzas to also have electric issues since i’ve had, 7 speakers blew, back up camera glitched and...
THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 KIA CADENZA. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, A LOUD RATTLING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS NOTHING TO REPAIR OR REPLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RELATED THE FAILURE TO AN UNKNO...
ON DECEMBER 6, 2016 MY SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. THE EXPLOSION WAS SO LOUD AND VIOLENT I THOUGHT I WAS SHOT. SHARDS OF GLASS RAINED DOWN ON MY HEAD. I WAS ABLE TO AVOID A VEHICLE COLLISION, BUT WAS VERY SHAKEN UP ABOUT THE ORDEAL. MY RIGHT EAR FELT DEAF AND I NOTICEABLE HAVE LESS HEARING AS A RESULT OF THE EXPLOSION. *TR
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Kia Cadenza
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Opened 2023-11-17
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received eight Hyundai Motor America (Hyundai) and eight Kia America, Inc. (Kia) Part 573 Recall Reports between 2016 and 2023. The combined 16 safety recalls all involve the antilock braking system (ABS) modules or Hydraulic Electronic Control Units (HECU) manufactured by the equipment supplier Mando. The Part 573 Recall Reports contain varying defect descriptions and differing remedy descriptions for the same or similar equipment supplied by Mando....
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Kia Cadenza
Has the 2016 KIA CADENZA been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 KIA CADENZA has 2 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 KIA CADENZA have?
The 2016 KIA CADENZA has 14 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 KIA CADENZA?
The 2016 KIA CADENZA does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 KIA CADENZA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 KIA CADENZA involve visibility (5 complaints), engine (3 complaints), service brakes, hydraulic (2 complaints). Other affected components include electrical system,unknown or other,engine, unknown or other, suspension.
How many crash reports does the 2016 KIA CADENZA have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2016 KIA CADENZA in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2016 KIA CADENZA have?
There are no fire reports for the 2016 KIA CADENZA in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 KIA CADENZA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 KIA CADENZA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 KIA CADENZA?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 KIA CADENZA.
Should I buy a 2016 KIA CADENZA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 KIA CADENZA is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 14 complaints, 2 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 KIA CADENZA?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 KIA CADENZA are: 1. VISIBILITY (5 complaints), 2. ENGINE (3 complaints), 3. SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC (2 complaints), 4. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE (1 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints). VISIBILITY is the single most-reported problem area with 5 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 KIA CADENZA?
Ensure your 2016 Kia Cadenza is up to date with all recalls, especially those related to service brakes and windshield issues. The 2016 KIA CADENZA has 14 NHTSA complaints and 2 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2016 KIA CADENZA?
The 2016 KIA CADENZA receives a reliability score of 82/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 14 owner complaints, 2 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Service Brakes, Hydraulic and Windshield.
What are the known issues with the 2016 KIA CADENZA?
Known issues with the 2016 KIA CADENZA include: Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Windshield. These are based on patterns found across 14 NHTSA complaints. 2 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2016 Kia Cadenza?
Common issues include windshield leaks and service brake hydraulic problems, both of which are part of recalls.
Is the 2016 Kia Cadenza safe to drive?
Yes, but ensure all recalls are addressed, particularly those related to service brakes and windshield issues.
What should I do if I notice windshield issues?
Contact a Kia dealer immediately to address any windshield leaks or structural problems.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Ensure your 2016 Kia Cadenza is up to date with all recalls, especially those related to service brakes and windshield issues.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Kia Cadenza
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Kia Cadenza. The data includes 14 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16