Engine. Review the 48 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports0 fire reports7 injury reports

Engine complaints

48 reports

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4,000 miles · Dec 10, 2013

EnginePower Train

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SINCE BUYING THIS CADILLAC ATS 2013, 2.0T RWD MANUAL, VEHICLE NEW, THE ENGINE HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE STALLING OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IDLING IN NEUTRAL (AT STOPLIGHTS, IN TRAFFIC). THE STALLING HAPPENS IN BOTH WARM AND COLD CONDITIONS. THE STALLING IS NOT LIKE NORMAL MANUAL TRANSMISSION STALLING WHERE THE VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD. THE STALLING IS SILENT. YOU DO NOT NOTICE THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED UNTIL YOU PUT THE CAR INTO GEAR AND ATTEMPT TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO A CADILLAC DEALERSHIP TO INSPECT THE ISSUE (LINDSAY CADILLAC OF ALEXANDRIA). THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO REPRODUCE THE ISSUE AND THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. APPROXIMATE SERVICE DATE WAS 09/26/2013. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555432

300 miles · Dec 6, 2013

EngineService BrakesSteering

WHILE DECELERATING TO MAKE VARIOUS TURNS OR STOP AT AN INTERSECTION THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITH NO WARNING. ALSO THE STEERING AND BRAKES BECOME HARD. ON ONE OCCASION WHILE MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY IT OCCURRED AGAIN, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO CRASH INTO A VEHICLE THEN LOSE CONTROL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555123

500 miles · Dec 5, 2013

EnginePower Train

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THE 6-SPEED MANUAL ATS HAS AN ISSUE WITH STALLING, USUALLY WHEN COASTING TO A STOP, AND LESS FREQUENTLY ON INITIAL ACCELERATION. IT IS NOT DUE TO POOR RELEASE PRACTICE WITH THE CLUTCH. THE CAR WILL DIE UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN COASTING, WHICH KILLS THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING, WHICH MAKES FOR AN UNSAFE SITUATION. THIS HAPPENS INFREQUENTLY, AND I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT COMBINATION OF THINGS LEADS TO THE STALL. I HAVE CHANGED THE WAY I DRIVE THE CAR IN ORDER TO MINIMIZE COASTING OR USING THE TRANSMISSION FOR DECELERATION. THIS HELPS, BUT THERE ARE STILL TIMES WHEN I GET SURPRISED AT AN INTERSECTION BY THE CAR BEING DEAD WHEN I'M READY TO ACCELERATE. IT IS A VERY QUIET CAR, ESPECIALLY AT IDLE, SO IF I'M WATCHING TRAFFIC AND NOT THE DASH, IT CAN DIE AND I DON'T KNOW IT UNTIL I HIT THE GAS AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554994

3,000 miles · Dec 4, 2013

EnginePower Train

MY VEHICLE IS A 6-SPEED MANUAL...TWICE NOW IN THE LAST MONTH IT HAS STALLED AT A COMPLETE STOP EVEN THE CLUTCH IS FULLY DEPRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554791

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2013

Engine

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WHEN COASTING TO A STOP LIGHT, OR A STOP SIGN, THE CAR WILL OCCASIONALLY STALL FOR NO REASON. I DRIVE A STICK SHIFT, AND WILL MOVE THE SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL AS I AM COMING TO A STOP, AND ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS, THE CAR HAS JUST STALLED OUT AND I LOSE ALL POWER STEERING AND ELECTRONIC BRAKE ASSISTANCE, WHICH MAKES STOPPING THE CAR MORE DIFFICULT. THIS ISSUE HAS ALSO OCCURRED A FEW TIMES WHEN ACTIVELY DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I WILL GET A MESSAGE ON MY DIC SAYING THAT MY POWER STEERING NEEDS TO BE SERVICED, AND SHORTLY AFTER THE CAR STALLS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554677

7,500 miles · Nov 26, 2013

EngineService BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

I WAS PULLING IN TO A PARKING SPOT BEHIND A CAR AT A VERY LOW SPEED WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES FOR THE CAR TO STOP, INSTEAD IT ACCELERATED AND SMASHED IN TO A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I TRIED PRESSING THE BRAKES HARDER IN ORDER TO AVOID THE IMPACT AND THE CAR DID NOT RESPOND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553831

500 miles · Nov 11, 2013

EngineService Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL ARE SO CLOSE TOGETHER THAT WHEN BRAKING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IT IS POSSIBLE TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL WHILE BRAKING RESULTING IN AN ENGINE SURGE CONDITION. THIS ONLY HAPPENS IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC OR WHEN STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551766

200 miles · Oct 25, 2013

Engine

I HAVE A 2013 ATS 6 SPEED . A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER I GOT IT WILL STALL WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A COMPLETE STOP. IT STOPPED FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEN IT CONTINUED AGAIN. IT WOULD HAPPEN AS OFTEN AS TWICE A WEEK TO A COUPLE TIMES A MONTH. MY CAR NOW HAS OVER 3K MILES AND IT STILL HAPPENS. I NOTICED I HAS NOT BEEN AS FREQUENT AS PREV…

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NHTSA ODI #10549533

1,500 miles · Oct 25, 2013

Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

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WHEN COASTING TO COME TO A STOP THE VEHICLE ENGINE WILL STALL/TURN OFF. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT IN JUNE. THIS IS A 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED VEHICLE, AND THE TRANSMISSION IS EITHER IN NEUTRAL OR THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED SO THAT THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION ARE DECOUPLED. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WATCH THE TACHOMETER WHEN IT HAS STALLED TWICE, AND THEN THE ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF, VERY ABRUPTLY (NO SHAKING, OR NOISE). IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN SLOWING TO TAKE A TURN WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL DEPRESSED, WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET BACK STARTED AS YOU ARE TRYING TO DRIVE AND NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT (PLUS THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS). I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER, AND THEY HAVE TRIED TO DIAGNOSE IT, HOWEVER NO FIX HAS HAPPENED. IT WILL NORMALLY STALL ABOUT ONCE EVERY WEEK OR SO, IT IS VERY INTERMITTENT. THE DEALER WENT AS FAR AS TO BLAME ME FOR STALLING THE VEHICLE, THEY SAID I DIDN'T DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH AT A HIGH ENOUGH RPM WHICH IS COMPLETELY UNTRUE AND REGARDLESS THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL AND I WAS COASTING TO A STOP (THEREFORE IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO STALL THE VEHICLE IN GEAR). I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PEOPLE ON FORUMS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY IN THE LEMON PROCESS WITH THE BBB AUTOLINE PROGRAM AS THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. DEALER/GM CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE ISSUE AND HAS NO IDEA WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549521

1,500 miles · Oct 25, 2013

Electrical SystemEngineFuel System, Gasoline

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WHEN COASTING TO COME TO A STOP THE VEHICLE ENGINE WILL STALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT IN JANUARY. THIS IS A 6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION EQUIPPED VEHICLE, AND THE TRANSMISSION IS EITHER IN NEUTRAL OR THE CLUTCH PEDAL IS DEPRESSED SO THAT THE ENGINE/TRANSMISSION ARE DECOUPLED. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WATCH THE TACHOMETER WHEN IT HAS STALLED TWICE, AND IT SEEMS TO GET TO A LOWER RPM THAN NORMAL (<500RPM) AND THEN THE ENGINE JUST SHUTS OFF, VERY ABRUPTLY. IT HAS ALSO HAPPENED WHEN SLOWING TO TAKE A TURN WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL DEPRESSED, WHICH IS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET BACK STARTED AS YOU ARE TRYING TO DRIVE AND NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE DEALER, AND THEY HAVE TRIED TO DIAGNOSE IT, HOWEVER NO FIX HAS HAPPENED. IT WILL NORMALLY STALL ABOUT ONCE EVERY WEEK OR SO, IT IS VERY INTERMITTENT AND SEEMS MORE OFTEN WITH A HIGHER LOAD ON THE ENGINE (HOT DAYS, A/C RUNNING, ETC...). THE DEALER WENT AS FAR AS TO BLAME ME FOR STALLING THE VEHICLE, THEY SAID I DIDN'T DISENGAGE THE CLUTCH AT A HIGH ENOUGH RPM WHICH IS COMPLETELY UNTRUE AND REGARDLESS THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL AND I WAS COASTING TO A STOP (THEREFORE IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO STALL THE VEHICLE IN GEAR). I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS ISSUE, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS PEOPLE ON FORUMS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10549456

Official recalls

15V558000 · Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System

Sep 3, 2015

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electronic Climate Control module to remove the automatic rear defogger "on" function, free of charge. The recall began on October 16, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15299.

15V463000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Jul 24, 2015

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Because the switch is not recessed, the roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed resulting in unintended auto-closure of the roof panel, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the roof console accessory switch trim plate, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15568. Note this recall supersedes 15V-106.

14V488000 · Seat Belts:front

Aug 8, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the seat belts do not remain locked in the retracted position when under load, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front the driver's and the passenger's lap belt pretensioners, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. GM sent interim notifications on October 7, 2014 and will send a second notification when remedy parts are available. The recall began on November 20, 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14171.

14V446000 · Seats

Jul 23, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.

14V338000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission

Jun 19, 2014

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the transmission shift cable detaches while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14179.

13V220000 · Electrical System; Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

May 24, 2013

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."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

Consequence: If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.

Electrical System

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.