Cadillac ATS Problems by Year
NHTSA has 383 owner complaints and 11 safety recalls on file for the Cadillac ATS, across 7 model years (2013–2019). The 2013 model year has the most complaints (160). The most reported problem area overall is power train.
Cadillac ATS years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical ATS year: 2013, 2014. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2013 ATS: 160 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2014 ATS: 104 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2017 ATS: 33 complaints, 2 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2019 ATS: 2 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2018 ATS: 22 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2015 ATS: 30 complaints, 4 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Cadillac ATS problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train problems | 102 | 6 | 4 |
| Electrical System | 76 | 7 | 0 |
| Engine | 71 | 7 | 1 |
| Steering | 62 | 7 | 2 |
| Air Bags | 28 | 6 | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 23 | 6 | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 16 | 5 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 | 4 | 3 |
| Wheels | 15 | 4 | 1 |
| Suspension | 14 | 5 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 12 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 10 | 5 | 0 |
| Tires | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 9 | 3 | 4 |
| Equipment | 7 | 4 | 0 |
| Seats | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Cadillac ATS model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 ATS | 2 | 0 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2018 ATS | 22 | 2 | 5★ | Power Train | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2017 ATS | 33 | 2 | 5★ | Steering | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2016 ATS | 32 | 3 | 5★ | Power Train | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2015 ATS | 30 | 4 | 5★ | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2014 ATS | 104 | 4 | 5★ | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2013 ATS | 160 | 6 | 5★ | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Cadillac: all Cadillac models · Cadillac VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Cadillac ATS years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2013 (160), 2014 (104) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical ATS year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Cadillac ATS?
Power Train, with 102 complaints across 6 model years.
How many recalls does the Cadillac ATS have?
11 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.