KiaCadenza2015Overview/kia/cadenza/2015/base/

2015 Kia Cadenza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Cadenza.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2015 Kia Cadenza is a midsize passenger car built on Kia’s contemporary platform and powered by a V‑6 that requires 6.87 qt of 5W‑30 or 5W‑40 oil, paired with a smooth‑shifting six‑speed automatic transmission; its EPA ratings of 19 mpg city, 28 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined place it solidly within the segment’s efficiency envelope. Despite the engine being the most frequent source of owner complaints—48 reports across the model’s 20142020 span—the Cadenza’s overall complaint count for this year is modest, especially when compared with the 2014 peak of 110 complaints and the 2019 low of just four. Two recalls have been issued for the generation, but the 2015 model sits toward the middle of the reliability curve, indicating a generally stable reputation that researchers can treat as representative of the line’s gradual improvement.

Model year2020201920182017201620152014

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity6.87 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy19/28/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 124R · 660 CCA battery. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 124R · 660 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnAUTOOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/40R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length195.7 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height58.3 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight3660 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined19 / 28 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume106 cu ft
Cargo volume15 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Cadenza of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.2–7.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.20 sec — 2014 Limited Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2014Limited Sedan 3.3L V66.20 sec14.80 sec293 hpFWD
2014Limited Sedan 3.3L V66.30 sec14.80 sec293 hpFWD
2014Premium Sedan 3.3L V67.00 sec15.50 sec293 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 6.87 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.5
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity8.9
Engine Oil5W-30 · API · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity6.87 qt
Power Steering FluidEPS

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts210-224 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts25.3-32.5 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub177-199 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)550-750 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerKia
Spark Plug Gap.039-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque11-18 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing5 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance10 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity22.9 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.07-3.72 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance660 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)73.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)50-73 psi
Engine CompressionPSI 128 - 149 / Max Variation 14 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.0067-0.0090 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.0106-0.0129 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 16-23 / 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-; Front: 58-; Rear: 47-
ABS Sensor Torque6 / NS
Minimum Pad Thickness0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.040; Rear: .330
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: .0002; Rear: .0004
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: 0016; Rear: .0020

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
148 inch lbs., Step 2: 84-10848 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120-23 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7020–23 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Do not lubricate cylinder head bolts with engine oil. Apply a 2.00-3.00 mm bead of Hyundai sealant or equivalent RTV to the front cylinder head corners of the upper and lower head gasket. Assembly of the cylinder head must be completed within five minutes of applying the liquid gasket compound.

127.5-30.4 ft. lbs.27.5–30.4 ft. lbs
2118 degrees-122 degrees118 degrees
388 degrees-92 degrees; External head bolts 14.0-17.0 ft. lbs.88 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Engine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Vacuum Line (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect)
Every 30,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Filter (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 120,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2015 Kia Cadenza sits at a turning point in the generation's reliability arc, with complaints dropping sharply to 48 from the 110 recorded for the 2014 model. This year also saw a reduction in recalls to 2, down from 3 the prior year, and a decline in TSBs to 96 from 117, indicating fewer reported issues overall. However, the 2015 model still logged the highest number of engine and electrical system complaints within the dataset, along with 2 fire complaints and 1 crash complaint, though the data does not specify root causes. While the trend continues to improve in subsequent years—with complaints falling to 14 in 2016—the 2015 model year represents a clear improvement over the problematic 2014 launch but retains a higher complaint rate than later iterations. For a used purchase, the 2015 Cadenza is a reasonable choice if you prioritize a lower price point, but a 2016 or newer model would offer a more refined ownership experience with fewer reported issues.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
96
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
48
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 48 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine9
Electrical System6
Unknown Or Other6
Visibility5
Structure3
Service Brakes, Hydraulic2
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Visibility/Wiper1
Exterior Lighting1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

22V158000Visibility:WindshieldReported 15/03/2022

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. Remedy: 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…

23V652000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModuleReported 25/09/2023

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 96 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
WTY026_TSB_R22026-03-18EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: OIL PRESSURE SWITCH (OPS)…
WTY039_TSB_R72025-12-17EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 - REVISION…
PS7972025-12-09Back Over PreventionPITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop…
WTY039_TSB_R62025-12-01EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039 REVISION…
WTY039_TSB_R52025-11-04EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN (WTY039) - This bulletin has been…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Cadenza. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 Cadenza take?

6.87 qt of 5W-30 API certification, SL or SM-is preferred. 5W-30 or 5W-40 API certification, SL or SM, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Cadenza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Cadenza get?

EPA figures are 19 city / 28 highway / 22 combined mpg.