KiaCadenza2014Overview/kia/cadenza/2014/base/

2014 Kia Cadenza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2014 Cadenza.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2014 Kia Cadenza is a passenger car paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission that delivers EPA fuel economy figures of 19 city, 28 highway, and 22 combined mpg, while its engine requires a substantial 6.0 quarts of 5W-30 or 5W-40 API oil. As the first year in the model's 2014-2020 complaint history, this iteration carries the heaviest reliability burden by recording the highest number of owner grievances at 110—dominated by visibility issues—and subjecting owners to 3 separate recalls. Consequently, the 2014 Cadenza sits at the very bottom of the nameplate's reliability timeline, meaning researchers should expect pronounced early-production growing pains that stand in stark contrast to the 2019 low of just 4 complaints.

Model year2020201920182017201620152014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque65-80 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/28/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 660 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 660 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnAUTOOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length195.7 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase111.8 in
Curb weight3785 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 28 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume106 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Cadenza of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.2–7.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.20 sec — 2014 Limited Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2014Limited Sedan 3.3L V66.20 sec14.80 sec293 hpFWD
2014Limited Sedan 3.3L V66.30 sec14.80 sec293 hpFWD
2014Premium Sedan 3.3L V67.00 sec15.50 sec293 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 API engine oil, DOT 3 · DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 65-80 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3 · DOT 4
Engine Oil5W-30 · 5W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts210-224 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36-40 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts65-80 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub177-199 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance.59-.68 ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance5950-8050 ohms
Ignition Timing5, Not adjustable degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance10 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.34-1.38 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance660 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test14-18 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-18 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature190 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)73.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance.98-1.14 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression128-149 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket16-23 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle58-72 ft-lbs / 47-54 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0002 in / 0.0004 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0016 in / 0.002 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
148 inch lbs., Step 2: 84-10848 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120-23 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7020–23 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not lubricate cylinder head bolts with engine oil. Apply a 2.00-3.00 mm bead of Hyundai sealant or equivalent RTV to the front cylinder head corners of the upper and lower head gasket. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

127.5-30.4 ft. lbs.27.5–30.4 ft. lbs
2118 degrees-122 degrees118 degrees
388 degrees-92 degrees; External head bolts 14.0-17.0 ft. lbs.88 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., step 2: 19.5-23.1 ft. lbs., step 3: repeat step 2 twice.2.9–4.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2014 model sits at the highest point of this generation’s federal complaint and technical service bulletin curve, recording 110 complaints and 117 TSBs—figures that dwarf the 48 complaints and 96 TSBs seen in 2015 and continue to trend downward through 2020. While recalls hold steady at two per year for most of the generation before dropping to one in 2018, the 2014 model carries three recalls, the most in this dataset. Its leading complaint categories—visibility, engine, and hydraulic service brakes, each with 11 reports, alongside three crash-related and three fire-related complaints—signal elevated federal scrutiny, though the data does not specify underlying root causes. Because 2014 represents the clear peak in reported problems and manufacturer service activity across this record, it is statistically the riskiest year of the run to purchase; buyers would be better served by a later model year with lower complaint volumes.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
117
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
110
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 110 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility11
Engine11
Service Brakes, Hydraulic11
Unknown Or Other9
Steering9
Electrical System7
Structure5
Unknown Or Other,Engine3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14V289000WheelsReported 30/05/2014

Kia Motors Corporation (Kia) is recalling certain model year 2014 Cadenza vehicles manufactured February 1, 2013, through August 27, 2013, and equipped with 19" non-chrome aluminum wheels. The wheels on the affected… Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wheels with new wheels, free of charge. The recall began in June 2014. Owners may contact Kia customer service at…

22V158000Visibility:WindshieldReported 15/03/2022

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling all 2014-2016 Cadenza vehicles. During manufacturing, the front windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach. Remedy: Dealers will inspect the front windshield glass. If necessary, the windshield will be removed and reinstalled. Repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 117 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
WTY026_TSB_R22026-03-18EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS)…
WTY039_TSB_R72025-12-17EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 - REVISION…
PS7972025-12-09Back Over PreventionPITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop…
WTY039_TSB_R62025-12-01EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 REVISION…
WTY039_TSB_R52025-11-04EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN (WTY039) - This bulletin has been…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Cadenza. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2014 Cadenza take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30 OR 5W-40 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2014 Cadenza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Cadenza get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.