AI Damage2018 Cadillac ATS: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Cadillac ATS filed 22 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and electrical system. The maker issued 687 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 22
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 687
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 32% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 14% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 14% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 9% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 9% of all complaints
- 6 Air bags 9% of all complaints
- 7 Equipment 5% of all complaints
- 8 Engine 5% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 7 complaints (32% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 91.
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 121.
- Steering: 3 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Exterior lighting: 2 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 10.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 2 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
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
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 22 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 | 7 | 0 | 91 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 121 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 17 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 10 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 215 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 66 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 25 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 24 |
| Suspension | 1 | 0 | 21 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 104 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 39 |
| Service brakes | 0 | 0 | 28 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Vehicle was involved in a accident all front damage and airbags didn’t deploy
Internal components corroded, one almost fell off when driving, the other later became completely detached. Failed parts that could have caused a major safety issue if they were to fail during operation.
The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the mechanic determined that the F-module, Part Number: 86815664, used to control the engine Auto START/STOP, needed to be replaced.
The Rear Differential will need replaced." There were no warning lights, but there was noise - a new, not normal noise I noticed two weeks prior to the diagnostic procedure by the dealership service department. This is the second rear differential failure. The service writer said there was no sign of leakage.
My vehicle recently started experiencing an issue where the power steering would randomly cut out while I was driving. If I pulled over and shut the car off and then turned it back on the power steering would come back.
The power steering will randomly stop working while driving! We have had it in the shop 3 times and they can't find anything! We have replaced alternator, battery and it still isn't fixed! I seen u had a recall on the 16, 17, and some 18s for this issue! We have always bought GMs and are very disappointed!
After entering the vehicle and driving with the AC on for a few minutes the CUE screen started to crack on the inside like a spider web. This has already been reported in 11576315 and 11325962. But I can't find any manufacturer communication on these.
On same day, car stalled at an intersection in a downtown area. I could not start car. Had to push car in busy traffic to a safe place and called a tow truck. Auto shop I took to said the fuel pump came loose somehow and caused the fuel lines to break causing the fuel leak. Had lines repaired.
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 1,212 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 42% least complained about).
On average one model year of the ATS has 23 complaints (4 years in the data). This year has 22, about 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.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
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 687 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 2018 Cadillac ATS?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, electrical system, steering. Total complaints: 22. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (18%), infotainment or screen glitches (14%), steering or power steering problems (14%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Cadillac ATS?
NHTSA lists 687 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 2018 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 2018 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.