AI Damage2016 Cadillac ATS: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Cadillac ATS filed 35 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 1,106 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 35
- involving a crash
- 3
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 1,106
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 31% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 14% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 5 Wheels 11% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 11% of all complaints
- 7 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 8 Visibility 6% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 11 complaints (31% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 130.
- Electrical system: 7 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 230.
- Air bags: 5 complaints (14% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Engine: 4 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 123.
- Wheels: 4 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 49.
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
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 35 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 | 11 | 1 | 130 |
| Electrical system | 7 | 0 | 230 |
| Air bags | 5 | 1 | 9 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 123 |
| Wheels | 4 | 0 | 49 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 33 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 35 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 25 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 129 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 34 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 26 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 13 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 10 |
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.
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.
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
The vehicle violently shakes, vibrates, and becomes unstable while driving. This happened TWICE. Both times the rear bolts came out except one. Both mechanics who inspected it said they have NEVER seen this before. The first time, I paid $4,000 out of pocket at another shop.
The contact stated that the message "Service Air Bag" was displayed, and the passenger's side seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
When driving at around 40-50mph you can feel that the car has a shudder vibration. Took the car into Cadillac where they are informing me that it is the torque converter that needs replacement. No warning lights. If not fixed can lead to transmission failure.
I was under the impression that recalls do not expire, especially ones that can cause lose of power steering and could lead to collision or injury. Cadillac told me it expired because it was a "Customer Satisfaction Program" recall and not a "Product Safety" recall.
My back glass on my 2016 Cadillac ATS shattered on 3-10-2023. It looks like it got hot from the defroster lines as it shattered every inch of the back glass and separated from the seals. I contacted Cadillac and they started Case #9-[phone]. I had the car inspected at my dealership on 3-11-23.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,018 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 48% most complained about).
On average one model year of the ATS has 23 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 35, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- 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 PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
- 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 communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- This PI Addresses a possible solenoid wiring fault and how to inspect the build date to identify
- This PI advises dealers to inspect for a missing pump gasket if the vehicle exhibits no movement following…
NHTSA lists 1,106 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
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 years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Cadillac ATS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, air bags. Total complaints: 35. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (17%), jerking, harsh shifts (14%), vibration (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Cadillac ATS?
NHTSA lists 1,106 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Cadillac ATS from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
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.