AI Damage2017 Cadillac ATS: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Cadillac ATS filed 33 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and electrical system. The maker issued 887 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 33
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 887
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 39% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 15% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 7 Wheels 3% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 3% of all complaints
- Steering: 13 complaints (39% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 173.
- Powertrain: 5 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 103.
- Engine: 3 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 85.
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 32.
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 33 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 13 | 0 | 26 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 0 | 173 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 103 |
| Engine | 3 | 0 | 85 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 32 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 7 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 51 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 25 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 19 |
| Backover prevention | 1 | 0 | 12 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 12 |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 306 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 109 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
Transmission fluid temperature sensor in the 8 speed automatic 8L90 transmission from GM is a known issue. Causes vehicle to shift/jerk erratically especially in stop and go traffic.
I have replaced two brand new tires on the back right. I then saw that there was a TSB for the very issue im having with my vehicle. A slow loss of air from the back right tire.
My Que Screen has webbed and makes it impossible to view my screen, important vehicles warnings and my maps for directions. This has been a recall in the past. Prior to me owning my vehicle. I can’t [dealer] their vehicles. A third party is a direct extension of YoUR business. Do better. This is horrible.
In center console there is a dual USB port for either charging or data for CarPlay. When two phones are plugged in and charging, and one phone is in passengers hand, while vehicle is in motion or stopped, the airbag warning light will illuminate.
The transmission shudders at high speeds and at low speeds it either hesitates to shift gears or it lurches forward causing a rough shifting of gears. 2. I feel as though when I am braking and my car lurches forward, sometimes I have to brake even harder just to get the car to stop in time.
The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing intermittent loss of power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to Auto Repair Garage, where a routine inspection was performed, and the contact was informed that no failure was found. The contact stated that the failure progressively increased.
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 1,041 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 50% most complained about).
On average one model year of the ATS has 23 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 33, above average.
What to check before buying
- 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.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- 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 887 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Cadillac ATS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 33. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: infotainment or screen glitches (27%), steering or power steering problems (21%), jerking, harsh shifts (18%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Cadillac ATS?
NHTSA lists 887 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 2017 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 2017 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.