KiaCadenza2017Overview/kia/cadenza/2017/base/

2017 Kia Cadenza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 Cadenza.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2017 Kia Cadenza is a passenger car with an automatic 8-speed transmission, calling for 6.9 quarts of 5W-30 API oil and returning an EPA-estimated 20/28/23 mpg (city/highway/combined). This model year logged 31 owner complaints—predominantly about the engine—and two recalls. Within the 20142020 generation, the 2017 Cadenza sits between the troubled 2014 debut (110 complaints) and the refined 2019 model (4 complaints), representing a midpoint in the nameplate’s improving reliability arc.

Model year2020201920182017201620152014

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque79-94 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/28/23 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 / turnEXTOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length195.7 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase112.2 in
Curb weight3633 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 28 / 23 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume108 cu ft
Cargo volume16 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.

6.5–7.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.50 sec — 2017 SXL Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017SXL Sedan 3.3L V66.50 sec14.80 sec290 hpFWD
2017SXL Sedan 3.3L V66.70 sec15.00 sec290 hpFWD
2017SXL Sedan 3.3L V67.30 sec15.50 sec290 hpFWD
2020Technology Sedan 3.3L V66.50 sec14.90 sec290 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 79-94 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 25.3-32.5 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity8.9
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity6.9 qt
Power Steering FluidEPS

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1-7.2 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.8-6.5 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)26.0-33.3 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)11.6-17.4 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53.0-56.0 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36
Oil Pan to Block Bolts7.2-8.7 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug25.3-32.5 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts79-94 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts72.3-86.8 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug25.3-32.6 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub202.0

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerHyundai
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque11.0-18.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.38-1.49 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity3.17-3.87 oz
Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance660 cca
Standard BCI Group Number94R

Service checks

Engine Compression178-199 PSI. 14 MAXIMUM VARIATION PSI.

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront or rear: 16-23
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 58-; Rear: 47-
ABS Sensor Torque6.6
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.040; Rear: 0.330
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: .0002; Rear: .0004

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 2 stages
148.0 inch lbs.48 in
284.0-108.0 inch lbs.84–108 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
120.0-23.0 ft. lbs.20–23 ft. lbs
270.0
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Inside bolts

136.0 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
290.0 degrees; Outside bolts90 degrees
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
2120.0 degrees; Side bolts120 degrees
121.0-23.0
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
13.6-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.2-8.73.6–4.3 ft. lbs

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 every 97,500 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 miEngine Air Filter Element (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Tank (add fluid conditioner) · 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 Line (inspect) · Fuel Tank Filler Cap (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 97,500 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 2017 Kia Cadenza sits at a transitional point in the model's lifecycle, with complaints rising to 31 from a 2016 low of 14, yet remaining well below the 2014 peak of 110. Recalls held steady at 2 (matching 2016 and 2015), while TSBs continued their steady decline to 72 from 76 the prior year, suggesting ongoing refinement. The target year's top complaint areas—engine (5), fuel/propulsion (4), and electrical system (3)—show no dominant failure pattern, though 4 crash complaints and 1 fire complaint warrant attention without context on outcomes. The consistent single NHTSA investigation across all years indicates no systematic safety defect unique to 2017. The trajectory through 2018–2020 shows sustained improvement, with complaints dropping to 7 and then 4, and recalls falling to 1. The 2017 model benefits from the generation's maturing engineering while avoiding the early-production issues that plagued 2014–2015, making it a comparatively sound purchase within this generation's arc.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
72
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
31
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 31 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine5
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Electrical System3
Unknown Or Other3
Seat Belts2
Service Brakes2
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Unknown Or Other,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V137000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/ModuleReported 04/03/2021

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… Remedy: 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…

17V190000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Power Assist:Vacuum:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And FittingsReported 16/03/2017

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017 Cadenza vehicles. The brake vacuum hose on the affected vehicles may kink, reducing braking performance. Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 72 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
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…
WTY039_TSB_R42025-10-07EngineTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: ENGINE SUB ASSEMBLY: INSPECTION/REPLACEMENT (WTY039) - This…

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 2017 Cadenza take?

6.9 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2017 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 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.