Head-to-head reliability
KIA Cadenza vs FORD F 150
How the KIA Cadenza and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
KIA Cadenza vs FORD F 150: The Cadenza has about 31 complaints per year, with engine oil loss and brake failures being key concerns. The F-150 averages over 1,100 complaints annually, primarily for transmission hard shifting and power loss. Both have recalls, but the Cadenza's issues may be more safety-critical. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Cadenza or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Cadenza
The Kia Cadenza is a large sedan that, in ownership terms, has a moderate complaint rate of about 31 per year. The pattern centers on engine oil loss and related failures, often without warning lights, which can lead to stalling or knocking. Brake issues, including a reported failure, and electrical glitches also appear, making it a vehicle that demands vigilance in maintenance and recalls.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a popular pickup with a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 1,100 per year, reflecting its large sales base. The dominant issue is the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as hard shifting, jerking, and occasionally losing power. Electrical problems, such as camera malfunctions, and exterior lighting issues are also common, indicating a need for thorough checks on these systems.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Cadenza | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 216 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 8 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 30.9 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
KIA Cadenza
- 01ENGINE63
- 02SERVICE BRAKES36
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER33
- 04ELECTRICAL SYSTEM33
- 05VISIBILITY25
Owners report excessive oil consumption and oil leaks, often without the oil pressure or check engine light illuminating. This can lead to engine knocking, stalling, and in some cases, overheating, as the oil loss goes unnoticed until serious damage occurs.
There are reports of brake failure, including a loss of braking power at low speeds, and intermittent ABS warning lights. The recalls for the ABS control unit and vacuum hoses suggest a known issue with the braking system that could compromise stopping ability.
Electrical complaints often tie into engine or brake issues, such as warning lights not appearing when they should. Some owners also mention delays in recall repairs, which can leave known defects unaddressed for extended periods.
Windshield-related recalls and complaints indicate potential issues with visibility, which could be a safety concern if not addressed. Owners may experience cracks or other defects that obstruct the driver's view.
“A little history, my Cadenza was placed at KIA of Bradley [XXX] 2024, I complained of oil burning, the oil sending unit light staying on and the engine dying. The Kia rep found “THE OIL PRESSURE SENDER INTERNALLY FAULTED, LEAKING OIL INTERNALLY – OIL LEAKING…”
“Multiple oil, engine/knocking issues. Drove the car unaware of loss of oil ( disguised as water from days rain) no oil light or engine light appeared. When I took to dealer the leak was fixed.Multiple times of loss of oil and only once did it show on dash.I k…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most frequent issue is the 10R80 transmission, with owners reporting hard shifts, jerking, clunking, and occasional loss of power or sudden shutdown. These symptoms can be alarming and may lead to dangerous situations, especially in traffic.
Electrical problems include false warnings for the front camera and pre-collision assist, which can be distracting and may indicate underlying sensor or software issues. Some owners also report loud bangs from the transmission area, possibly linked to electrical or mechanical faults.
Headlight-related recalls and complaints suggest that lighting may fail or be inadequate, reducing visibility at night. This is a safety concern for both the driver and other road users.
While less frequent than transmission issues, engine problems are still reported, and recalls for the engine indicate potential defects that could lead to performance issues or failures.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
KIA Cadenza — 12 recalls
The defect: 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.
The risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
The 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 elect…
The defect: 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.
The risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
The 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 elect…
The defect: 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.
The risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury.
The 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 elect…
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Cadenza vehicles. The brake vacuum hose on the affected vehicles may kink, reducing braking performance.
The risk: Reduced braking performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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…
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
KIA Cadenza or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Kia Cadenza has far fewer complaints per year (about 31) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), but the Cadenza's issues are more concentrated on engine oil loss and brakes, which can be severe. The F-150's transmission problems are widespread and can be costly to repair, but its high volume also reflects its popularity. In practice, the Cadenza may require more careful monitoring of oil and brakes, while the F-150 demands a thorough transmission inspection.
Key differences
- The Cadenza's engine issues often involve oil loss without warning lights, leading to potential engine damage, whereas the F-150's main issue is transmission harshness and power loss.
- Brake failures and ABS problems are notable on the Cadenza, while the F-150 has more electrical and lighting complaints.
- The F-150 has a much higher complaint rate, but it also sells in far greater numbers, so the rate per vehicle may be lower.
- Recalls for the Cadenza focus on brakes and visibility, while the F-150 has recalls for lighting, electrical, and engine components.
- Check for any signs of oil leaks or low oil levels, and ask for service records showing regular oil consumption checks.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including ABS activation, and verify that all brake-related recalls have been performed.
- Take a test drive that includes stop-and-go traffic to feel for hard shifts or jerks, especially between 4th and 6th gears.
- Check for any warning lights on the dash, such as front camera malfunction, and ensure the battery and charging system are in good condition.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all recalls have been addressed for the specific VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a compression test and oil consumption check on the Cadenza, and a transmission fluid analysis on the F-150.
- Inspect the brake system on the Cadenza, including the ABS module and vacuum hoses, for any signs of wear or previous repairs.
- For the F-150, check the exterior lights for proper function and look for any signs of moisture or damage.
- Ask for maintenance records and look for frequent visits related to engine or transmission issues.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | KIA Cadenza | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 33 |
| 2019 | 5 | 36 |
| 2018 | 7 | 56 |
| 2017 | 32 | 43 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific KIA Cadenza or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Cadenza vs FORD F 150
- KIA Cadenza total complaints
- 216
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- KIA Cadenza total recalls
- 12
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- KIA Cadenza avg complaints/year
- 30.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- KIA Cadenza
- KIA Cadenza top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN