MODEL
Kia Cadenza
NHTSA safety across every Kia Cadenza model year we cover.
Across the 2 model years of the Kia Cadenza we cover (2019 to 2020), no year has an NHTSA crash-test score on record. 2 recalls have been issued across those years.
The Kia Cadenza is a full-size front-wheel-drive sedan positioned at the top of Kia's passenger car lineup, targeting buyers who want near-luxury comfort and features without a premium brand price tag. Competing against mid-size and entry-luxury sedans, the Cadenza appeals to mature, comfort-focused drivers who prioritize a refined, spacious cabin over sporty performance.
At MotorCaliber, our safety picture for the 2019 and 2020 Kia Cadenza is incomplete in one important way: NHTSA did not conduct crash testing on either model year we cover, meaning there are no star ratings or Safety Index scores to anchor our assessment. That is a meaningful gap for shoppers who rely on federal crash data to make informed decisions. What we can report is that the Cadenza carries 2 recalls across these two model years, and critically, at least 1 of those campaigns is serious enough to warrant a park-outside or do-not-drive advisory. That classification from NHTSA signals a risk significant enough that owners should not leave the vehicle in an enclosed space and should contact their dealer promptly. Shoppers considering a used 2019 or 2020 Cadenza should verify that any open recalls have been remedied before purchase using NHTSA's free VIN lookup tool. On the complaint side, the picture is relatively quiet: only 4 owner complaints are on file across both years, with zero crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported among them. While low complaint volume can suggest a trouble-free ownership experience, it may also reflect the Cadenza's modest sales numbers. The bottom line is straightforward: the absence of crash-test data combined with a do-not-drive recall makes due diligence non-negotiable for any prospective buyer.
WHAT REVIEWERS SAYReviewers generally regard the Cadenza as a polished, underappreciated sedan that delivers a genuinely comfortable and quiet ride. They tend to praise its well-appointed cabin materials, generous rear-seat space, and smooth powertrain refinement for the segment. Some note that the exterior styling and brand perception hold it back against European or Japanese alternatives, though most agree it offers strong overall value in the near-luxury space.
- Neither the 2019 nor the 2020 Cadenza was crash-tested by NHTSA during the years MotorCaliber covers, so there are no federal star ratings to evaluate. Shoppers should treat the absence of crash data as a genuine unknown, not a clean bill of health.
- At least one of the two recalls issued across these model years carries a park-outside or do-not-drive designation from NHTSA, indicating a potentially serious safety risk. Any buyer of a used Cadenza must run a VIN check at NHTSA.gov and confirm all recall work has been completed before driving the vehicle.
- Owner complaints are very low at just 4 total across both model years, with no crashes, fires, injuries, or deaths reported among them. While encouraging, this figure should be weighed against the Cadenza's limited sales volume, which naturally reduces the complaint pool.
- Because the Cadenza was discontinued after the 2020 model year, finding a dealer equipped and motivated to complete open recall repairs on a used example may require extra effort. Confirm parts availability and technician familiarity before committing to a purchase.
Most-recalled year on record: 2020 Kia Cadenza with 1 recalls.