2018 Kia Cadenza Recalls, Complaints & Specs
1 safety recall lists the 2018 Kia Cadenza, and owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. At least one recall carries a do-not-drive or park-outside advisory. Check your own VIN below.
1 safety recall for the 2018 Kia Cadenza
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Service brakes, hydraulic: control unit/module Park outside
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 compartment.
Remedy: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace certain fuses in the electrical junction box. Vehicles…
7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2018 Kia Cadenza have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 5,625 miles. Complaints peaked in 2025 with 4 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The airbag light randomly came on 2 weeks ago and stayed on , indicating that the airbags would not deploy in the event of an accident. I called my mechanic, who confirmed it was not a warranty item.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 1, 2026 · Air bags
“Complete engine failure due to rods and bearings (same as all other Kia engine recalls currently active). Ironically my car wasn’t included in the recall. Also I’ve noticed that Hyundai has extended t”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, November 18, 2025 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2018 Kia Cadenza. Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 23 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 20 / 28 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Large Cars |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 3.3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
Compare Kia Cadenza model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Kia Cadenza model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 Kia Cadenza | 3 | 110 |
| 2015 Kia Cadenza | 2 | 48 |
| 2016 Kia Cadenza | 2 | 14 |
| 2017 Kia Cadenza | 2 | 32 |
| 2018 Kia Cadenza | 1 | 7 |
| 2019 Kia Cadenza | 1 | 5 |
| 2020 Kia Cadenza | 1 | 0 |
Checking a specific 2018 Kia Cadenza
How do I know if my 2018 Kia Cadenza has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 1 campaign currently lists the 2018 Kia Cadenza; your car may already have been repaired under it.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Kia dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 21V137000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Kia models
- Sorento10,183 complaints
- Optima7,512 complaints
- Soul5,553 complaints
- Sportage4,699 complaints
- Forte2,553 complaints
- Sedona2,410 complaints
- Telluride2,026 complaints
- Sephia1,705 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.