AI DamageCadillac ATS: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Cadillac ATS across 4 model years: 92 owner complaints and 1,212 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 25% of all complaints
- 2 Steering 23% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 10% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- 6 Wheels 5% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 5% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 3% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 23 complaints (25% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 411.
- Steering: 21 complaints (23% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 91.
- Electrical system: 17 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 621.
- Engine: 9 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 339.
- Air bags: 9 complaints (10% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 24.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2013–2019
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2013–2017
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2013–2019
- 3.6 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 2019
- automatic, 6-speed 2013–2015
- automatic, 8-speed 2016–2019
- manual, 6-speed 2013–2019
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 92 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 23 | 1 | 411 |
| Steering | 21 | 1 | 91 |
| Electrical system | 17 | 0 | 621 |
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 339 |
| Air bags | 9 | 2 | 24 |
| Wheels | 5 | 0 | 176 |
| Service brakes | 5 | 1 | 120 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 71 |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 0 | 42 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 0 | 20 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 118 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 103 |
| Suspension | 2 | 0 | 89 |
| Backover prevention | 2 | 0 | 44 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The air bags failed to deploy. Both the contact and her sister were transported to the hospital by emergency units. The contact stated that she sustained injuries on the left side of her body.
Vehicle was involved in a accident all front damage and airbags didn’t deploy
The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained minor aches and pains that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence.
Upon braking car shakes and makes a loud noise but eventualy stops. About 8 days later while parking the brakes failed to operate resulting in a collision.
My 2017 Cadillac ATS had the Electric Power Steering failed and I found a recall for the same year make and model went to the dealer and they said my vin isn't part of that recall but this vehicle has 49K miles and there was no reason it failed. They need to expand the recall.
NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V558000 Rear Defogger Coil Antenna Module may Overheat If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, not sure what is happening but car does seem to overheat off and on especially when radio is turned on
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent…
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
- This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent…
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.