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2019 Kia Cadenza

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2019 Cadenza.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2019 Kia Cadenza is a passenger car with an automatic S8 transmission, requiring 6.9 quarts of 5W-30 or 10W-30 oil and delivering EPA estimates of 20 mpg city, 27 highway, and 23 combined. Within the model’s 2014–2020 run, the 2019 edition recorded the lowest number of owner complaints at just 4, accompanied by a single recall. This positions it as the most reliable year of the generation, a stark contrast to the 110 complaints seen in 2014.

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 / 10W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque79-94 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/27/23 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 size245/40R19 94VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 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 weight3770 lb
Track (front / rear)63.4 / 63.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 27 / 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 — 2020 Technology Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Technology Sedan 3.3L V66.50 sec14.90 sec290 hpFWD
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

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 / 10W-30 engine oil, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 79-94 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.4 qt
Brake FluidDot 3
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity8.9
Engine Oil5W-30 · 10W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.9 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts311.0-318.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts53-56 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts36-40 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs15-17 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts79-94 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)AC Speed Up: 650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)AC Speed Up: 100 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerKia
Spark Plug Gap.039-.043 in
Spark Plug Torque11-18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number124R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance660 cca
Standard BCI Group Number94R Must use a AGM VRLA battery.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)42.0 Pressure must be over listed PSI

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque16.0-23.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque58.0-72.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.039; Rear: .330
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation.0002
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0016; Rear: .0012

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
148 ft. lbs., Step 2: 84-108 inch lbs.48 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
120-23 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70°.20–23 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
128-30 ft. lbs. Step 2: 118-122°. Step 3: 88-92°. Step 4: External Head Bolt: 13.7-17.528–30 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9-4.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 19.5-23.1 ft. lbs., Step 3: Repeat Step 2 twice.2.9–4.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 97,500 mi.

Every 7,500 miAir Conditioning System (inspect) · Battery (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Fuel Evaporative Canister Filter (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
At 30,000 miEngine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miFuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plugs (replace)

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 2019 Kia Cadenza represents the culmination of a clear downward trend in owner complaints across its generation, with incidents falling from 110 in 2014 to just 4 by the target year. Compared to the preceding 2018 model (7 complaints) and following 2020 model (0 complaints), the 2019 sits in a stable trough with no recorded crash or fire complaints. Recall activity remained consistent at one campaign per year from 2018 through 2020, while TSB volume continued its steady decline from 51 to 41, suggesting ongoing refinement. The complaint categories for 2019 are dispersed across tire/engine, steering/lighting/lane departure, and service brakes with no repeat patterns, indicating isolated incidents rather than systemic defects. This data shows 2019 as a mature, well-settled model year with no identified pattern concerns. A buyer can proceed with confidence in this specific model year, though standard pre-purchase inspection remains advisable to verify individual vehicle condition.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
41
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
4
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’14’15’16’17’18’19’20

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 4 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Unknown Or Other1
Tires,Engine1
Steering,Exterior Lighting,Lane Departure1
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 41 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PS7972025-12-09Back Over PreventionPITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop…
TSB_TRA046_R52025-04-17Power TrainTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been…
WTY034_TSB_R22025-03-27Fuel/Propulsion SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP…
WTY034_TSB_R12024-09-20Fuel/Propulsion SystemTECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP…
WTY034_REIMB2024-05-24EngineWARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN: REIMBURSEMENT FORM (WTY034) - This document is a…

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.

Group 124R batteryVehicles taking 6.9 qt

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2019 Cadenza take?

6.9 qt of All Temperatures: 5W-30; Temperatures above 0°F: 10W-30, per the factory manual.

Does the 2019 Cadenza have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 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 / 27 highway / 23 combined mpg.