Head-to-head reliability
KIA Cadenza vs Honda Accord
How the KIA Cadenza and Honda Accord 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 Honda Accord: The Cadenza has 216 complaints over 7 years (about 31 per year) and 12 recalls, while the Accord has 4,524 complaints over 10 years (about 452 per year) and 38 recalls. Cadenza issues often involve engine oil leaks and brake recalls; Accord issues span engine, electrical, and fuel systems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Cadenza or Honda Accord 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 with a relatively low complaint volume—216 over seven years, or about 31 per year—but the pattern is concerning. Engine issues dominate, with owners repeatedly reporting oil leaks, oil pressure sender failures, and engines dying or knocking. Brake and electrical complaints also appear, often tied to recalls for ABS control modules and parts delays. For a used-car buyer, this suggests a car that may need close attention to oil levels and brake electronics.
Honda Accord
The Honda Accord is a popular midsize sedan with a much higher complaint count—4,524 over ten years, or about 452 per year—but that reflects its far larger sales volume. The complaints span many systems, with engine, electrical, forward collision avoidance, and fuel system issues standing out. Owners report stalling, power steering and brake failures, false collision warnings, and fuel pump problems. For a used-car buyer, this means many potential trouble spots, though not every car will experience them.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Cadenza | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 216 Better | 4,524 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 12 Better | 38 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 8 Better | 162 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 30.9 Better | 452.4 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 12 Better | 146 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
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 oil burning, oil pressure sender failures that leak oil internally, and engines that die or knock. Some say the oil light never came on despite low oil, leading to unnoticed leaks and potential engine damage.
Complaints include sudden loss of motive power, intermittent ABS warning lights, and delays in getting recall repairs for ABS control modules. This can affect braking confidence and vehicle operation.
Issues often involve unresolved recalls and dealer communication problems. Owners describe repeated attempts to get recall work done, which can leave safety systems like ABS unrepaired.
There is a recall for windshield issues, though specific owner complaints are not detailed here. A buyer should check for any open windshield recalls or leaks.
“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…”
Honda Accord
- 01ENGINE1,006
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM895
- 03FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE837
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER746
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM602
Owners report rattling noises while accelerating, rough transitions between EV and gas modes, and sudden loss of speed with multiple dashboard alarms. These can indicate hybrid system or engine management problems.
Complaints include simultaneous failure of electronic power steering and braking at highway speeds, as well as TPMS warnings followed by tire failure. Such failures can be sudden and dangerous.
Owners describe false activations of adaptive cruise control and collision avoidance, sometimes under clear conditions. This can cause unexpected braking or acceleration.
There are complaints of fuel pump issues and a recall for fuel pump failure. This can lead to stalling or inability to start, posing a safety risk.
“Vehicle drove normally in the morning commute. In the afternoon commute it started normally and as i approached highway speeds the alarms started showing up. the Brake, hill descent system, abs, critical failure. the vehicle started losing speed and could not…”
“Vehicle makes rattling noises while accelerating similar to a diesel engine also rough transitions between EV mode and Gas mode also when you press the charge button the engine makes a very noticeable jerk once it’s on ,Honda does not want to fix my issue and…”
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 all 2014-2016 Cadenza vehicles. During manufacturing, the front windshield may not have been properly bonded to the vehicle, allowing it to detach.
The risk: A front windshield that detaches from a vehicle can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: 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 were mailed May 13, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer s…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may…
The risk: An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures until the recall repair is complete. Dealers will replace the HECU fuse, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed November 14…
Honda Accord — 38 recalls
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2025 Honda Accord Hybrid vehicles. Due to a software error, the integrated control module (ICM) central processing unit (CPU) may reset while driving, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash or injury.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the ICM CPU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 6, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's number for this recall is TN2. Vehicle Identificati…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2023-2026 CR-V Hybrid, Accord Hybrid, and 2025-2026 CR-V Fuel Cell EV vehicles. When using the tire repair kit, pressure may build within the sealant bottle, causing the bottle cap to detach.
The risk: A detached bottle cap can become a projectile and strike the user or others nearby, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the tire repair kit nozzle or sealant bottle, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed July 27, 2026. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipat…
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2021 Accord Sedan, Accord Hybrid, CR-V, Ridgeline, 2022 Insight and CR-V Hybrid vehicles. The automatic locking retractor on the second-row center seat belt assembly may deactivate improperly, which can result in an unsecured child restraint sys…
The risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the second-row center seat belt assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 14, 2022. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138.
The defect: Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Pilot, Accord, Civic sedan, HR-V, Odyssey, 2020 Civic coupe, Fit, 2021-2022 Civic hatchback, 2021 Civic Type R, Insight, 2020-2021 CR-V, CR-V Hybrid, Passport, Ridgeline, Accord Hybrid, 2020 Acura MDX, 2022 Acura MDX, 2020-2022 Acura R…
The risk: An air bag that deploys unintentionally during a crash can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 28, 2024. This is a phased recall. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for these recalls ar…
Buyer analysis
KIA Cadenza or Honda Accord: which should you buy?
The Kia Cadenza has far fewer complaints per year (about 31) compared to the Honda Accord (about 452), but the Accord's higher volume means more total reports. In practice, the Cadenza's issues cluster around engine oil leaks and brake recalls, while the Accord's are spread across many systems, including advanced driver aids. Neither is problem-free, but the Cadenza may be simpler to inspect for its main failure points.
Key differences
- The Kia Cadenza has 216 complaints over 7 years, while the Honda Accord has 4,524 over 10 years—but the Accord sells in much higher numbers, so per-vehicle risk is not directly comparable.
- Cadenza owners frequently report engine oil leaks and oil pressure sender failures; Accord owners report a wider range of issues including stalling, power steering failure, and false collision warnings.
- The Cadenza has 12 recalls, with multiple for ABS control modules; the Accord has 38 recalls, including fuel pump, seat belt, and hybrid power control software.
- Cadenza complaints include 8 crash-related and 12 injuries; Accord complaints include 162 crash-related and 146 injuries, though again volume differs.
- Check for oil leaks around the engine and under the car, and verify the oil pressure sender has been replaced if there is a history of oil light issues.
- Ask for proof that all recalls—especially the ABS control module recalls—have been completed, as parts delays were reported.
- Test drive at highway speeds and listen for rattling noises or rough transitions between EV and gas modes, which owners report.
- Verify that the fuel pump recall and any hybrid power control software updates have been performed, and check for warning lights related to braking or steering.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and confirm all open recalls are repaired before purchase.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on engine oil leaks, brake system function, and electrical warnings.
- For the Cadenza, check oil level and look for signs of oil burning or leaks; for the Accord, test all driver-assist features and listen for engine rattles.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially for oil changes and any recall work.
- During a test drive, pay attention to any dashboard warnings, unusual noises, or loss of power.
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 | Honda Accord |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 0 | 362 |
| 2019 | 5 | 691 |
| 2018 | 7 | 1884 |
| 2017 | 32 | 537 |
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 Honda Accord in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Cadenza vs Honda Accord
- KIA Cadenza total complaints
- 216
- Honda Accord total complaints
- 4,524
- KIA Cadenza total recalls
- 12
- Honda Accord total recalls
- 38
- KIA Cadenza avg complaints/year
- 30.9
- Honda Accord avg complaints/year
- 452.4
- More reliable overall
- KIA Cadenza
- KIA Cadenza top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Honda Accord top complaint area
- ENGINE