NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
45 reportsClear category filterMileage unknown · Aug 13, 2022
Power TrainSuspension
2011 Cadillac ATS 3.6, Rear Differential went out, Repairmen has stated that this part is not available anywhere, and that Cadillac should have recalled this in the ATS, because there is a shortage of this part. Due to the inefficiency of the Rear Differential. But, Cadillac would have been out of a lot of money. Without th…
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2011 Cadillac ATS 3.6, Rear Differential went out, Repairmen has stated that this part is not available anywhere, and that Cadillac should have recalled this in the ATS, because there is a shortage of this part. Due to the inefficiency of the Rear Differential. But, Cadillac would have been out of a lot of money. Without this part, the Cadillac is undrivable.
NHTSA ODI #11479166
Mileage unknown · Jun 8, 2022
Power Train
While waiting for the car in front of me in the valet line, I put my 2013 Cadillac ATS in park. When it was my turn, I attempted to put the car back in drive to move forward, but the shifter was locked in the park position. I had my foot on the brake and when I took it off the car began rolling forward, even though the shifter w…
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While waiting for the car in front of me in the valet line, I put my 2013 Cadillac ATS in park. When it was my turn, I attempted to put the car back in drive to move forward, but the shifter was locked in the park position. I had my foot on the brake and when I took it off the car began rolling forward, even though the shifter was in the park position. The screen above the steering wheel as well as the light on the shifter indicated that my vehicle was in drive, even though the shifter was locked in the 'park' position. I powered the car off, and after that it would not start. The screen and on the shifter still indicated that the car was in drive. Ultimately, the vehicle had to be towed. After having the vehicle inspected by a mechanic, it was found that the transmission shift cable became detached/failed/malfunctioned. I discovered that there was a recall on certain Cadillac vehicles for the issue I experienced, (recall number 14V338000). However, my vehicle did not have the recall when my VIN was looked up, but my car experienced the recall issue nevertheless. My safety as well as several others were put at risk because the car would roll if my foot was not on the brake, which could have seriously injured anybody/anything in its path. There were no warning lamps/messages/symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The vehicle component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, as they quoted me a price of over $1000, holding me responsible even when there is a recall that matches the failure that took place in my vehicle.
NHTSA ODI #11468230
Mileage unknown · Apr 16, 2022
Power Train
There is a shudder at around 1500 to 2k rpms and appears there have been thousands of complaints about this. Also the touch screen has been replaced 7 times in my car which is another issue with the ATS LEMON.
NHTSA ODI #11461018
120,000 miles · Sep 27, 2021
Power Train
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, the vehicle was shifted to reverse and then shifted to drive however, the vehicle moved backward. The brakes would not engage when depressed to stop the vehicle from moving backward. The contact applied parking brakes to …
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The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, the vehicle was shifted to reverse and then shifted to drive however, the vehicle moved backward. The brakes would not engage when depressed to stop the vehicle from moving backward. The contact applied parking brakes to stop the vehicle. The contact had assistance from an independent mechanic who helped to move the vehicle into a parking space. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the parking lot. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V338000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
NHTSA ODI #11434476
90,000 miles · Apr 9, 2021
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CADILLAC OF NOVI (41350 GRAND RIVER AVE, NOVI, MI 48375, (866)613-0742) AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UP…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CADILLAC OF NOVI (41350 GRAND RIVER AVE, NOVI, MI 48375, (866)613-0742) AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V338000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #11407229
63,000 miles · Feb 28, 2021
Power Train
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2.5.21. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND IT NEEDED A HOSE AND SENSOR WHICH WAS FIXED. ON THE MULTIPOINT INSPECTION,IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING WHICH CAN CAUSE THE TIRES TO SEIZE WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 63K MILES ON IT. IT IS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS TURBO.TH…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2.5.21. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND IT NEEDED A HOSE AND SENSOR WHICH WAS FIXED. ON THE MULTIPOINT INSPECTION,IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING WHICH CAN CAUSE THE TIRES TO SEIZE WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 63K MILES ON IT. IT IS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS TURBO.THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT.HOWEVER, I DID FIND A RECALL ON THE CTS MODEL. I ALSO SEE A LARGE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE ATS MODEL, AS WELL. THE DEALER QUOTED ME $5K TO REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL WITH ONLY A 1 YEAR WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A RESULT OF POOR QUALITY AND CRAFTMANSHIP AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE ATS MODELS, AS WELL. THE FACT THAT THEY ONLY OFFER A 1 YEAR WARRANTY IS ALSO CONCERNING. THIS WOULD REFLECT THEY KNOW OF THE ISSUE, AND WILL ONLY COVER IT FOR THE SHORTEST AMOUNT POSSIBLE.
NHTSA ODI #11398266
Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2020
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other
I?M REALLY UPSET MY CAR WHEN I GOT IT HAD 92,000 MILES FIRST WEEK I GOT IT START TO SHUTTER THEN STALL WHILE AT STOP AND SHUT OFF OR DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THEN JUST STALL AND LOOSE PIER AND SHUT OFF VERY UNSAFE AND I FEEL SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR I TOOK IT TO SO MANY SHOP AND THEY ALL CAN?T FIND THE ISSUE ON WHY IT STALLING AND…
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I?M REALLY UPSET MY CAR WHEN I GOT IT HAD 92,000 MILES FIRST WEEK I GOT IT START TO SHUTTER THEN STALL WHILE AT STOP AND SHUT OFF OR DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THEN JUST STALL AND LOOSE PIER AND SHUT OFF VERY UNSAFE AND I FEEL SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR I TOOK IT TO SO MANY SHOP AND THEY ALL CAN?T FIND THE ISSUE ON WHY IT STALLING AND SHUTTING OFF TOLD CADILLAC DEALER THEY SAID IT NEEDED UPDATE GUESS WHAT DID UPDATE AND GUESS WHAT STILL HAPPENING I'VE DONE ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE CHANGE SPARK PLUGS KEEP UP ON OIL. CHANGE AND ETC STILL STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND AT COMPLETE STOP IT NOT SAFE CAR TO DRIVE IT JUST STALLS AND TURN OFF TOOK IT TO CADILLAC STILL NOTHING NOW IT BACK IN SHOP FOR THE 14 TIME WITH CADILLAC GILBERT AZ TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIND THE ISSUE AND THE FIX I THINK THIS IS GM CADILLAC ISSUE WITH THE COMPUTER THAT CAUSING MY CAR GO INTO SOME TYPE SAFE MODE AND MAKE THE CAR STALL AND SHUTTER THEN TURN OFF BUT WHEN IT ON HIGHWAY IT DRIVES FINE THEN STALLS . I?M FOR SURE THIS IS MECHANICAL ISSUE THAT HAS TO DO WITH SOMETHING CADILLAC DID AND THEY NEED BE RESPONSIBLE WITH THIS ISSUE EVERYONE TELLS ME GO DEALER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIKE CODES THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE ONLY CADILLAC WELL CADILLAC MAKES NO SINCE I THINK MY COMPUTER SYSTEM IS MAKING THE CAR GO INTO SOME TYPE SAFE MODE AND SHUT OFF I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND IT CRAZY AND UNSAFE I'VE REPORTED THIS TO HIGHWAY SAFETY BOARD AND BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND OTHER PLACES THIS DOESN'T MAKE SINCE YOU GUYS NEED PROVIDE SOLUTION FOR THIS ISSUE . *TR
NHTSA ODI #11328076
116,000 miles · Feb 23, 2020
Power Train
BUSHING FOR THE SHIFTER LINKAGE ATTACHED TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILED RENDERING THE CAR NOT TO BE ABLE TO CHANGE GEARS
NHTSA ODI #11310948
70,000 miles · Feb 11, 2020
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
CAR WON'T DRIVE PAST 40MPH WITHOUT SERIOUS SHAKING AND VIBRATIONS. HAVE HAD THE CAR TOWED MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAD MULTIPLE THINGS FIXED WITH THE VEHICLE BUT STILL HAVE MAJOR CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR PAST 40MPH. LAST ESTIMATE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. 4-5K TO REPAIR. CADILLAC TOLD ME IT WAS THE COIL RODS WHICH THEY R…
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CAR WON'T DRIVE PAST 40MPH WITHOUT SERIOUS SHAKING AND VIBRATIONS. HAVE HAD THE CAR TOWED MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAD MULTIPLE THINGS FIXED WITH THE VEHICLE BUT STILL HAVE MAJOR CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR PAST 40MPH. LAST ESTIMATE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. 4-5K TO REPAIR. CADILLAC TOLD ME IT WAS THE COIL RODS WHICH THEY REPLACED. BROUGHT IT BACK AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS A PIPE THAT WAS CRACKED GOING TO THE ENGINE. STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM. HAD THE TIRES AND ALIGNMENT CHECKED. THEY SAID IT WAS TRANSMISSION. BROUGHT TO ANOTHER PLACE THEY THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE ENGINE. ISSUE ARE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH SPEEDS OVER 40MPH.
NHTSA ODI #11308616
124,000 miles · Jan 20, 2020
Power Train
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON JANUARY 8, 2020 TO SOUTHTOWNE GMC IN NEWNAN,GA . I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE TRANSMISSION. I TOLD THE SERVICE PERSON MY CAR WAS TAKING A LITTLE TIME ONCE I PUT IT IN DRIVE MODE. THE SERVICE GENTLEMAN TOOK A HAN HELD DEVICE AND PLACED IT UNDER THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE AND…
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I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR SERVICE ON JANUARY 8, 2020 TO SOUTHTOWNE GMC IN NEWNAN,GA . I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH WHAT APPEARED TO BE THE TRANSMISSION. I TOLD THE SERVICE PERSON MY CAR WAS TAKING A LITTLE TIME ONCE I PUT IT IN DRIVE MODE. THE SERVICE GENTLEMAN TOOK A HAN HELD DEVICE AND PLACED IT UNDER THE DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE AND TOLD ME IT WAS NOT DETECTING A PROBLEM. HE CHECKED THE DASHBOARD AND NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON. I TOLD HIM I WANTED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE, HE SAID SINCE IT WAS NOT DETECTING A PROBLEM IT DOES NO GOOD TO DO A DIAGNOSTIC. HE NEVER INFORMED ME ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE. HE TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO, THAT HE WAS SWAMPED WITH REPAIRS AND THAT IF I WANTED HIM TO CHECK MY TRANSMISSION I WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK IN MARCH. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR AWAY. ONE WEEK LATER THE CAR BARELY MOVES. BARELY GOES INTO GEAR. I HAVE NOT DRIVEN THE CAR SINCE JANUARY 15, 2020. CAN I GET SOME HELP PLEASE.
NHTSA ODI #11300420
Official recalls
6Sep 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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: 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
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: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗