2020 Kia Cadenza: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2020 Kia Cadenza at 23 mpg combined across 1 version. NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 0 owner complaints for this model year.
Safety recalls
1
EPA combined mpg
23
NHTSA overall rating
—
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Kia dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2020 Kia Cadenza recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 1 safety recall for the 2020 Kia Cadenza, newest first.
Electrical system: Software and 1 more component
NHTSA 22V022000Reported Jan 21, 2022
Filed by
Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC225)
Components
Electrical system: Software; Visibility: Power window devices and controls
Units affected
451 (estimate)
Problem
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Cadenza vehicles. The rear power windows can be operated by the driver's power window main switch after the ignition has been turned off and a front door is opened. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 118, "Power-Operated Window Systems."
Risk
Rear power windows that operate unexpectedly can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will update the Driver Door Module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 8, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC225.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2020 Kia Cadenza fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2020 Kia Cadenza crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2020 Kia Cadenza NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2020 Kia Cadenza 4 DR FWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Standard
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2020 Kia Cadenza owner complaints
NHTSA's complaint files list no owner complaints for the 2020 Kia Cadenza received since January 1, 2015.
