TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Steering Column Housing, or Worm Gear Assembly. When the steering wheel is rotated a scraping noise can be heard originating from the lower bearing on the Worm Gear Assembly on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit. On some ve
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Kia Cadenza steering problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Steering Column Housing, or Worm Gear Assembly. When the steering wheel is rotated a scraping noise can be heard originating from the lower bearing on the Worm Gear Assembly on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Worm Gear Assembly or Steering Column Housing on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR OF C-MDPS MOTOR, ECU, WORM GEAR AND/OR STEERING COLUMN HOUSING - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information regarding the partial repair of the Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Motor, Electronic Control Unit (ECU), Worm Gear Assembly or Steering Column Housing on some 2010MY~ Kia models listed on page 8, equipped with a Column Motor Driven Power Steering (C-MDPS) unit.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: STEERING GEAR YOKE PLUG AND ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the steering gear box yoke plug and assembly on some models listed below, which may exhibit a ticking noise while turning the steering wheel with the vehicle stopped. This condition is caused by a worn lining on the steering gear box yoke assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Cadenza has a documented steering coupler problem tied to the motor-driven power steering (MDPS) system. Multiple owners describe the steering becoming slippery or losing control at highway speeds, with clicking noises during turns and loud clunks from the steering column. One owner reports the steering seized completely while reversing at low speed; another had the steering jam entirely while the engine died, leaving the vehicle stuck in the street with hard-to-turn steering.
The most significant issue is that Kia recalls the same steering coupler for the 2014 Optima but refuses to extend the recall to the Cadenza, even though dealers acknowledge the part is identical. One service center confirmed the MDPS coupling failure as "known and common" in this model year and mentioned a warranty extension, but denied coverage to an owner just over 10 years old.
Independent mechanics diagnosed faulty steering racks and columns needing replacement around 79,000–80,000 miles. Owners also report steering looseness, knocking noises, and wheel shake during braking. None of the repair work mentioned was completed, and Kia has not issued a recall for the Cadenza model.
Failure modes owners describe
Motor-Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Flexible Coupling Noise and Slipping
The MDPS flexible coupling makes clicking and slipping noises, causing loss of steering control feel. The service center confirmed it as a known and common safety problem in this model year with a documented warranty extension available, but coverage was denied to owners just over 10 years old.
When: Several months reported in complaint; 10+ years old vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: clicking noise; slipping sensation in steering; loss of steering control feel
Repairs/costs cited: Kia service center identified defective plastic MDPS flexible coupling; warranty extension existed but was denied
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Warranty extension available for MDPS issue but denied to vehicles over 10 years old; Kia service center acknowledged it as known and common safety problem
Steering Coupler Failure (MDPS-Related)
The steering coupler fails at highway and low speeds, rendering the vehicle completely out of control. Two owners report the same part is used in 2014 Cadenza and Optima; a recall exists for Optima but Kia refuses to extend it to Cadenza despite same component.
When: At both high speed and low speed driving; unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: vehicle becomes completely out of control; loss of steering control at highway speeds; loss of steering control at low speeds
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers acknowledge identical part in Optima and Cadenza but refuse to repair Cadenza
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Verified recall exists for Kia Optima steering coupler but not extended to Cadenza despite identical component; dealers refuse to repair
Steering Wheel Clicking and Vibration at Highway Speed
Clicking noise occurs while turning the steering wheel, and the steering wheel violently shakes and vibrates at speeds exceeding 60 mph. Independent mechanics diagnosed faulty steering rack and steering column requiring replacement.
When: At 79,000–80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: abnormal clicking sound while turning steering wheel; violent steering wheel shake and vibration at 60+ mph; clicking noise in steering column
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanics diagnosed faulty steering rack and steering column requiring replacement; repairs not yet completed
Steering Column Seizing During Reverse and Steering Looseness
Electronic power steering briefly seizes in position while turning during reversing maneuvers, requiring increased effort. Failure became regular and recurring. Separately, owners report steering looseness, slipping sensation, and knocking noise during braking.
When: Unspecified mileage for seizing; one complaint at 100,000 miles for knocking
Symptoms owners cite: electronic power steering seizes while turning in reverse; increased steering effort required; steering looseness and slipping sensation; knocking noise; wheel shaking during braking
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; no diagnosis sought
Complete Steering and Engine Loss While Reversing
Engine stopped and steering jammed simultaneously while reversing, leaving the vehicle immobilized in the street with hard steering effort required to turn the wheel. Vehicle did not restart. Steering became extremely difficult to operate.
When: November 2014; unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: engine stopped while reversing; steering jammed completely; hard steering effort required; vehicle would not restart; steering became very hard to maneuver
Repairs/costs cited: Exposure to unsafe environment due to electrical and/or mechanical failure
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
The MOTOR DRIVEN POWER STEERING (MDPS) FLEXIBLE COUPLING in the steering system has been making noise, clicking and leading to a sense of slipping in the vehicle steering for several months. I took the vehicle to a Kia service center who confirmed the MDPS was the problem and told me that this a known and common safety problem in my Kia model year. They stated there had even been a warranty…
On saturday - november 22, 2014 around 6:30 pm the car engine stopped and car rolled for few feet and stopped in the middle of the street. Also steering jammed and didn't move. It was stopped and didn't start back on and steering became very hard to crank it. The battery was running fine. Due to electrical and/or mechanical failure we were exposed to the unsafe environment. Fortunately, we were…
I have looseness in my steering feels like it's slipping and I hearing knocking and when I'm driving and I break I feel my wheels shaking and on I am car
Had steering trouble with your 2014 Kia Cadenza?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2014 Kia Cadenza?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 69,913 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Kia/Cadenza.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.