Recalls & safety ratings

2018 KIA CADENZA

Every NHTSA recall campaign covering the 2018 KIA CADENZA, and the crash-test ratings for the body styles that were tested.
  • 1
    Recalls
  • 7
    Owner complaints
  • 1
    Investigations

Sourced from NHTSA recall and safety-rating data — last checked 5 September 2026.

1 recall campaign

A campaign usually covers only part of a model year's production, so it may not apply to a particular car. Check the VIN to be certain.

Park outside

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

NHTSA campaign 21V137000 · Kia Motors America

Summary

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.

Consequence

An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.

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 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

NHTSA crash-tests vehicles and rates them out of five stars. More stars mean a safer car. Ratings are per body style, so a model can appear more than once below.

2018 Kia Cadenza 4 DR FWD

Overall
Not rated

Frontal crash

Not rated
Driver
Not rated
Passenger
Not rated

Side crash

Not rated
Driver
Not rated
Passenger
Not rated
Pole
Not rated

Rollover

Not rated

0% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.

  • Electronic stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: Optional
  • Lane departure warning: Optional

Get started for free

Get a free preview of the report