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Kia Cadenza check engine light comes on

12 of the 218 owner complaints about the Kia Cadenza describe check engine light, most of them for the 2014 model year.

owner complaints
12
worst model year
2014
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

Often reported together

Knocking 3Engine failure 3Stalling 2

Trouble codes mentioned

P0021 1

What owners say

Filed Mar 11, 2026 · Engine · PA

Check engine was flashing in front of my house in Brookhaven Pa. Took to mechanic around the corner, diagnosed with a blown head gasket & oil in my anti freeze over flow. Internal engine failure. Had towed to Kia dealership in NJ

Filed Jan 6, 2026 · Engine · IL

This vehicle was inherited to me in 2019 from my father who puchased it cash on 10/13/2017. On 4/19/2018 he brought it in for a check engine light which was related to recall sa299 (ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT). On 7/11/2018 service was performed again. On 3/4/2022 I brought in for check engine light with same recall for ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT. On 11/10/2025 car showed engine overheating. In fear, I immediately brought to closest mechanic stating same problem, ELECTRONIC THERMOSTAT AND RADIATOR HOSE WHICH GOES HAND IN HAND. Before work began I left voice mails and emails with the service manager of Rohrman Kia in Schaumburg, Il. No one reached out. I spoke with Jim at same location on 11/10/2025 at 4:00 pm who told me it was my responsibility because the part was no longer under warranty. I filed a complaint (24149522) with BBB. on 11/13/2025 after I had to pay my mechanic $1000 to fix problem which obviously is a defect. On 12/3/2025 I spoke with Mike from Kia who said part was no longer under warranty and will not reimburse. I asked him to prove the previous thermostat was installed correctly according to the service action sa 346 and he said they have certified techs and they do not have to prove that to me. I would like Kia to accept responsibility for this part. Also carfax does not show all times Kia replaced that thermostat.

Filed Oct 14, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Multiple oil, engine/knocking issues. Drove the car unaware of loss of oil ( disguised as water from days rain) no oil light or engine light appeared. When I took to dealer the leak was fixed.Multiple times of loss of oil and only once did it show on dash.I kept taking to dealership for loud knocking and was told it wasn’t reproduced. But fixed a gasket/manifold more than once. overheating of engine when I was driving out driveway. I turned around parked and had it towed to dealership. Stated faulty sensor then was called back & told i needed to pay for the fan wires that kept the engine cool because they had melted in the process.i have had issues with right brake fluid and boot as well. Changed brakes.most of the time It has been loss of oil or engine knocking then needed to rebuild the engine which I had to pay $4000. Im sad and upset that most of the time I have had my car it has been in the shop or having to be parked for a length of time.( avg. 3-20 days) was called back to say it was another issue.Took to another dealer who repaired . had to take in for repeat engine issues and knocking sounds the wasn’t “reproduced” it was clearly heard when manager drove it but service provider said no. So frustrated that I have spend a lot of money for engine issues and haven’t had a chance to enjoy the vehicle, frustrated it is performed less than what I expected.have never taken my car to any other but dealership and kept up with maintenance. the rest was slow to accelerate(even after just picking up from dealership) a lot of knocking .Engine was “rebuilt” and It’s still in the shop today. Driving without oil loss notification.Now radiator hose is swollen/soft at top unsure if oil or water. And I need to pay for hose $400 now another $1000? braking feels unusual after they replaced. I notified KIA customer support/emailed all receipts and return call was told no recalls about a year ago and she would call dealership. Car was at dealership for a while at that time.

Filed Jun 2, 2024 · Engine · IL

A little history, my Cadenza was placed at KIA of Bradley [XXX] 2024, I complained of oil burning, the oil sending unit light staying on and the engine dying. The Kia rep found “THE OIL PRESSURE SENDER INTERNALLY FAULTED, LEAKING OIL INTERNALLY – OIL LEAKING DOWN TO PIGTAIL HARNESS”. The Oil pressure switch and wiring harness lead were replaced. Here lies the problem. During my visit in Feb, I told Kia about the burning oil smell, I provided a video of the smoke coming from the engine and the oil light staying on. I was relying on Kia’s expertise because it’s their product. The complaints I had were about the same issues the KIA Sorento 3.3 L had, considering my Cadenaza has a 3.3 GDI engine also. The Sorento’s engine was recalled. Move forward to [XXX], 2024, I brought my Cadenaza to Kia of Bradley to have my windshield fluid motor checked because only the passenger’s side was spraying fluid, after Kia telling me the car would probably be held for a couple of days I decided to come back later. Here lies the problem, during the visit a Vehicle inspection was supposedly done on my car. Mind you, I have always had oil checks done and regular maintenance done (I have receipts to prove it). [XXX], stated the things that need to be done I had done by another dealer and there was no mention of oil being low for the car nor problem with the Oil sensor unit that was replaced in Feb 2024. Mind you, I never had any low oil engine light come oil or any OIL LEAKS OR COOLANT LEAKS ON THE FLOOR OF MY GARAGE. I figured my OIL AND COOLENT LEVEL WERE FINE, I never gotten any warning lights from the newly replaced Oil sender unit. I took my KIA Cadenza to Firestone in Mokena, IL to service my windshield motor on [XXX]. Firestone performed a basic check of my car that Kia of Bradley performed [XXX], 2024. Firestone found there was no oil in the engine because the engine burned it all and my coolant was burned inside of my engine also. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 4, 2024 · Brakes · 55,000 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency 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 contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to an independent mechanic who could not determine the cause of the failure. The dealer was contacted regarding the recall repair but was unable to confirm when parts would be available for the recall repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Jan 21, 2024 · Engine · GA

Soft engine block issues causing headboats to pull out and head gasket to fail. Slight movement in temperature gauge and check engine light begin to flash. Sometimes sometime later after stopping at light check engine light came on flashing, Turn car off and restart engine., Car would not move, Turn vehicle off and then back on again. Finally able to get it removed off the highway. Service manager at dealership indicated that this was beginning to be a known issue with this V6 engine and. Occurring with engines over a hundred and fifty thousand miles. This is a documented and known issue with minute of Kia engines. Also consulted with an independent mechanic who acknowledged that this is a known issue with kia engines and recommended, as did the dealer that the engine be replaced.

Filed Dec 28, 2023 · Engine · CA

The vehicle has been carefully maintained and received the 144,000-mileage thorough maintenance service which was performed at the KIA dealership in August 2023 three months prior to the incident. While driving in November 2023 the Malfunction Indicator Light came on. I took the vehicle to the same dealership. After 3 days in the service department, I was told the engine is burning oil. They found code P0021, but further diagnosis is required. The "Service Department" told me the vehicle requires an engine replacement. I purchased the 2014 KIA used in 2015. The warranty is for ten years (2024) yet evidently, according to the Service Department and KIA, because the car was on the sales lot in 2013, the warranty is expired. It is not a safe car and the recall, as noted on this site, indicates the same. I cannot count how many recalls this vehicle has had including the windshield possibly being loose and the power steering malfunctioning. I've had the headlights replaced three times and the air conditioning completely fixed after it went out. ( that's not a safety issue, but another indicator of the poor quality of this vehicle.) It appears KIA is aware of the severe engine issues in this 2014 KIA Cadenza and other KIA models, and I believe the Company understands the dangers involved in driving, and even parking this vehicle. I am beyond upset as this vehicle is currently not functioning. (and it's parked far away from a building.) Please advise. Thank you for your time.

Filed Dec 20, 2023 · Brakes · 117,000 miles · CA

The contact owns a 2014 Kia Cadenza. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V652000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The ABS warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Oct 8, 2023 · Engine · NC

I was driving my car at about 70 miles per hour then all of a sudden it went from 70 to like 40 and wouldn't pick up speed the engine light did come on I did get it to a mechanic to have my coils and spark plugs change but car was still knocking mechanic said it was the engine even before this it was always a knocking noise at start up even after oil changes everytime I call about this engine issue it's always cadenza not included but I see that most of the complaints is about the engine the same issues like the others my car is paid for but can't drive it if this problem was known we should be included for a new engine people like myself only work 32hrs cause my job like others are not doing good don't have the 5 to $10,000 kia dealership quoted me at to fix this car that was already known to be bad this is sad but im going to keep pushing until I get to the bottom including a lawsuit because this is not fair at all.

Filed Jul 7, 2022 · Engine · IL

Engine light is on the dashboard and can not conduct the Emission Test. I was told it's a oil consumption problem. And that the same problem that the sorento and sportage is doing. That is currently have a lawsuit going on. I was told the engine may start knocking soon. I was also told at shop that can cause the sensors to get false reading and send error signals to the engine also. If the engine cut off while driving or stall it can put my life and others in danger and cause a major accident. It was confirm at shop and I was told it's a recall on the engine. The dealership tells me not for the credenza and it's doing the same things as the models that is being look at and had a lawsuit going on. My cadenza is wrll6keot and under miles and should not be having this problem. Kia should help me with this problem. Please help me with this mattet.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Kia Cadenza check engine light

Why does the check engine light come on in the Kia Cadenza?

Owners who report it most often also describe engine overheating, engine knocking or ticking and engine failure, and the codes they mention most are P0021.

Which Kia Cadenza years have check engine light problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2014 (6 complaints), 2017 (5 complaints) and 2015 (1 complaints).

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