Cadillac

ATS (1st)

2013-2019 · Compact Sedan · 4 engines
Best Engine ⚠️ Caution (3.0)
436 NHTSA Complaints
10 Recalls
5 Fire Reports
27 Crash Reports
Includes data from: ATSATS V-SERIESATS-V
📋 Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

LFX

3.6L 6-cyl
⚠️ Caution (3.0)
57 complaints 16.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
14
transmission
11
steering
10
wheels tires
8
other
8

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (14 complaints)
Transmission Issues (11 complaints)
Steering Issues (10 complaints)

LTG

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo
⚠️ Caution (2.3)
268 complaints 42.3 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
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Complaint Breakdown

transmission
70
electrical
55
engine
55
steering
37
safety systems
31

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (70 complaints)
Typical onset: 49,038–105,396 mi
Electrical System Issues (55 complaints)
Engine Issues (55 complaints)

LCV

2.5L 4-cyl
⚠️ Caution (2.2)
72 complaints 18.0 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
25
engine
21
electrical
17
other
10
steering
9

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (25 complaints)
Engine Issues (21 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (17 complaints)

LF4 - GEN1+, SIDI, VVT, ALUM, TWIN Turbo

3.6L 6-cyl Turbo
⚠️ Caution (2.1)
11 complaints 5.0 per year Gasoline
3 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

steering
5
electrical
3
interior
3
transmission
3

Known Issues

Steering Issues (5 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (3 complaints)
Interior Issues (3 complaints)

2 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Cadillac ATS regardless of engine variant.

Transmission Issues (108 complaints)
transmission critical
Electrical System Issues (91 complaints)
electrical critical
Engine Issues (76 complaints)
engine critical
Steering Issues (53 complaints)
steering critical
Safety Systems Issues (31 complaints)
safety_systems critical

Recalls (10)

25V175000Mar 19, 2025serious
Steering

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.

19V086000Jul 1, 2019serious
Steering

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail.

18V358000May 30, 2018serious
Fuel System

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

15V463000Jul 23, 2015serious
Visibility

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to June 25, 2015. The affected vehicles may experience the roof panel closing automatically when the non-recessed switches are pressed and the roof panel is open. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

15V358000Sep 5, 2015serious
Service Brakes

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles. The affected vehicles have a bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the brakes that may fracture during normal brake pedal operation.

15V558000Mar 8, 2015serious
Visibility

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Cadillac ATS sedan vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to September 2, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the coil antenna module that powers the rear defogger system may generate excessive heat due to excessive cycling or continuous operation.

14V446000Jul 22, 2014serious
Seats

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.

14V338000Jun 18, 2014serious
Powertrain

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to March 20, 2014, and 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, to March 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.

14V488000Aug 7, 2014serious
Seat Belts

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to March 1, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to May 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and passenger lap belt pretensioner cables may not lock in a retracted position, allowing the seat belts to extend when pulled upon.

13V220000May 23, 2013serious
Electrical System

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2013-2019 Cadillac ATS problems?

The 2013-2019 Cadillac ATS has accumulated 436 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Transmission, Electrical System, Engine. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Cadillac ATS engine is most reliable?

The 2013-2019 Cadillac ATS was offered with 6 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.0L 4-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2013-2019 Cadillac ATS a good used car?

The 2013-2019 Cadillac ATS can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 436 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2013-2019 Cadillac ATS have?

The 2013-2019 Cadillac ATS has 436 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2013-2019 Cadillac ATS?

There are 10 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2013-2019 Cadillac ATS vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Cadillac ATS?

Before buying a used Cadillac ATS, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Transmission, Electrical System, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the ATS have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2013-2019 Cadillac ATS. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 436 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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