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2017 Kia Cadenza
Buyable, but go in with open eyes: this car has specific known issues to check before money changes hands.
31 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 21, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Buy-rated alternatives from this era
Other 2015–2019 cars in the same rough price bracket with a clean, matured Buy verdict — worth cross-shopping before you commit to the 2017 Kia Cadenza.
Why caution?
Has a "park it / park outside" recall, the most serious kind. Verify the fix was done before buying.
Engine problems dominate (32% of complaints).
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Complaints are overwhelmingly minor: almost none involve crashes, fires, or injuries.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#277 of 481Among the 2017 models with a matured record, the 2017 Kia Cadenza ranks #277, scoring higher than 15% of them. See the 2017 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
NHTSA crash-tested this model year but didn’t publish an overall star rating for it.
1 open NHTSA defect investigation on file for this model year, separate from the recalls above.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2017 Kia Cadenza, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Engine (10) · Electrical system (6) · Fuel system (5)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint, a rough guide, not a schedule.
Engine
32%10 complaints · 6 in the last 2 years
“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 fl…”
Electrical system
19%6 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“Actuator in Drivers door has failed. Unable to Lock or Unlock car door.”
Fuel system
16%5 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“Strong fuel odor after filling up fuel coming from the driver side, and can still be smelled inside the vehicle.”
Brakes
10%3 complaints
“I WAS BRAKING APPROACHING A LIGHT ON A STATE ROAD, WHEN THE BRAKE WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR SUDDENLY AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE SLOWED…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Read all 31 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 5 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Park itService Brakes, Hydraulic · 21V137000
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 17V190000
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Cadenza vehicles. The brake vacuum hose on the affected vehicles may kink, reducing braking performance.
Risk: Reduced braking performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake vacuum hose, replacing it as necessary, free charge. The recall began on April 17, 2017. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC146.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Kia before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2017 Kia Cadenza. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"? One is a "park it" / "park outside" order, the most serious kind, so I'd want that repair documented before I drive it.
- Owners of this model report engine problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any engine symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Owners of this model report electrical system problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any electrical system symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2017 Kia CADENZA beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2017? See how every Cadenza model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2017 Kia Cadenza against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.