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2018 Kia Cadenza recalls and problems

The 2018 Kia Cadenza has 1 safety recall and 7 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Kia dealer.

Urgent: recall 21V-137 carries a "park outside" warning. Contact a dealer before driving.
Recalls
1
Complaints
7
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2018 Kia Cadenza vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2018 Kia Cadenza recalls

Recall 21V-137: Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Park outsideReported Mar 4, 2021 · 379,931 vehicles affected · Kia Motors America

Problem: 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.

Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: 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 equipped with an electronic parking brake (EPB) will also receive a HECU software update. Repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on April 30, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC206.

2018 Kia Cadenza problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Engine5
Unknown or Other2
Air Bags1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 9,500 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2018 Kia Cadenza complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Jul 1, 2026
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. My car only has about 45,000 miles on it and is well maintained. it has never been in an accident. I dropped my car off with my mechanic, who is waiting on the needed part, but noticed after I dropped it off that other Kia models have been subject to a recall for this same issue. My guess is that not a lot of people purchased Kia Cadenzas, so maybe this flew under the radar. I am looking at a…
Engine · reported Nov 18, 2025
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…
Engine · reported Nov 16, 2025
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…
Engine · reported Sep 9, 2025
Vehicle has been properly maintained and at 78k miles, while at a stop sign, the engine seized. No warning signs from vehicle appeared.
Engine · reported Feb 4, 2025
Failure of Oil Pressure Sensor resulting in oil leaking into wiring harness, this is the same problem with 3.3L engines in other models that KIA has extended coverage. I contacted KIA Customer Care and was told they tracked VIN and not enough Cadenzas had reported the same repair. If the problem is with the engine sensor then it should apply regardless of vehicle it was installed.

Other Kia Cadenza years

2020201920182017201620152014

Compare all Kia Cadenza years · All Kia models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Kia Cadenza have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2018 Kia Cadenza: 21V-137 (service brakes, hydraulic). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2018 Kia Cadenza?

Owners report engine problems most often (5 reports), followed by unknown or other (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 9,500 miles.

Are Kia recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Kia dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.