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2016 Kia Cadenza engine problems

moderate 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →

Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100

When does it fail?

Of the 3 engine complaints filed for the 2016 Kia Cadenza, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.

0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
1 (100%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)

Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.

What stands out

Of the 5 model years of Kia Cadenza we track for engine problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.

Service Bulletin WTY026_TSB_R2 Mar 2026

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS) REPLACEMENT (WTY026 REVISION 2) - 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 replacement of the Oil Pressure Switch associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY026) on some 2014-2018MY vehicles listed in the table below, for repairs that may be necessary to address an Oil Pressure Switch leak in the eligible vehicles listed below from 10 years/100,000 miles to 15 years/150,000 miles, whichever comes first, starting from the date the vehicle was

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin WTY039_TSB_R7 Dec 2025

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 - REVISION 7) - 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 associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and 2015-2016 MY Sedona vehicles, equipped with 3.3L GDI engines. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the cylinder head gasket will be extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin WTY039_TSB_R6 Dec 2025

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 REVISION 6) - 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 associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and 2015-2016 MY Sedona vehicles, equipped with 3.3L GDI engines. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the cylinder head gasket will be extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,00

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin WTY039_TSB_R5 Nov 2025

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN (WTY039) - 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 associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and 2015-2016 MY Sedona vehicles, equipped with 3.3L GDI engines. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the cylinder head gasket will be extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, whichever comes f

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Warranty Program WTY039_TSB_R4 Oct 2025

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY: INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039) - 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 associated with the ‘Warranty Extension Program’ (WTY039) to diagnose a coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket area and, if necessary, replace the engine sub assembly on 2014-2015 MY Sorento, 2014-2017 MY Cadenza, and 2015-2016 MY Sedona vehicles, equipped with 3.3L GDI engines. The warranty coverage for repairs related to the cylinder head gasket will be extended from 5 years / 60,000 miles to 15 years / 180,000 miles, w

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

What owners are reporting 3 most recent

engine · filed 12/03/2025

My 2016 Kia Cadenza (VIN [XXX] ) experienced repeated overheating, coolant loss, and eventually white exhaust smoke consistent with internal coolant intrusion. The issue began mid-2025 and worsened over time. Despite reporting overheating and coolant loss to Central Kia of Plano, the dealership failed to diagnose the problem, did not escalate to Techline, and did not check or apply Kia Service…

engine · filed 07/08/2022

Per the Kia dealer head bolts have loosened up which have resulted in engine failure.

engine · 42,674 mi · filed 05/19/2021

The contact owns a 2016 Kia cadenza. The contact stated upon starting the vehicle, a loud rattling sound was coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and diagnosed however, the mechanic stated there was nothing to repair or replace. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact related the failure to an…

Had engine trouble with your 2016 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 engine problem on the 2016 Kia Cadenza?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the engine typically fail?

Based on the 3 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 42,674 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?

No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2016/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.
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