Most common 2018 Kia Cadenza problems
Share of the 7 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Cadenza complaints by model year
Best Cadenza years: 2019, 2018, 2016. Years to avoid: 2014. Compare all years →
2018 Kia Cadenza recalls (1)
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2018 Kia Cadenza:
Hyundai and Kia ABS Module Fires
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.
What 2018 Kia Cadenza owners say
Engine & cooling
No prior issues/light on dashboard as the car was just serviced for coolant hose replacement. On my way home from work, the car stalled and loss power at the light. The signs were giving engine failure due to losing power then a clicking/ticking noise. After pulling over and giving the car a break I tried to restart it, at that point the noise had change from the clicking to a weird knocking noise. I had the car towed to my trusted mechanic shop. He advised me that the engine indeed did fail and that it would need to be replaced. Verbatim he said: "The diagnosis is that the noise is an internal engine failure, rod bearing and connecting rods." This was a major safety concern because the engine could have caught fire during that short drive I had home risking my life and surrounding vehicles. …
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 the warranty for this same engine in the 2018 Santa Fe basically acknowledging it has a problem but didn't include the 2018 Kia cadenza which has the EXACT SAME ENGINE. Now I have engine failure prematurely and they are trying to deny repairs. Also was never notified of the KSDS "upgrade" before engine failed only after and it had been to a Kia dealer for fuel pipe repair just recently in which they could have installed it before engine failure.
2018 Kia Cadenza engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 28 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Large car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Kia Cadenza a good car?
Based on 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Cadenza rates better than average: 71% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Cadenza at the same age. It is one of the best Cadenza years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Kia Cadenza?
The engine & cooling — 5 complaints, 71% of all complaints for this model year. Next is the air bags (1).
How many recalls does the 2018 Kia Cadenza have?
There is 1 recall for the 2018 Kia Cadenza, the most recent from March 4, 2021 (control unit/module). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Cadenza?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2019, 2018 and 2016. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2014. See the full Kia Cadenza years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Kia Cadenza problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 10,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.