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2013 Cadillac Ats

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Ats years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Cadillac Ats are substantially higher than the model-year median of 32.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

124 reports with mileage · 36 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • 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

Steering complaints

25 reports
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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

1,000 miles · Aug 29, 2013
Electrical SystemEngineSteering

VEHICLE STALLED QUIETLY WHEN COMING TO STOP WITH VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND/OR CLUTCH DEPRESSED. I SAY QUIETLY BECAUSE I DID NOT HEAR OR FEEL IT SHUT OFF. (DIFFERENT FROM STALLING VEHICLE DUE TO IMPROPER FOOT WORK ON THE CLUTCH) WHEN I WENT TO TURN LEFT I REALIZED IT WAS DEAD. VEHICLE DID RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6…

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VEHICLE STALLED QUIETLY WHEN COMING TO STOP WITH VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND/OR CLUTCH DEPRESSED. I SAY QUIETLY BECAUSE I DID NOT HEAR OR FEEL IT SHUT OFF. (DIFFERENT FROM STALLING VEHICLE DUE TO IMPROPER FOOT WORK ON THE CLUTCH) WHEN I WENT TO TURN LEFT I REALIZED IT WAS DEAD. VEHICLE DID RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 - 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. MOST RECENTLY THE POWER STEERING RACK FAILED TO TURN BACK ON AT RESTART. DEALER SERVICED STEERING CONTROLLER PER TSB. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE RANDOM STALLING IN A 10 MILE TEST DRIVE AS IT ONLY HAPPENS TO ME ONLY ONCE A WEEK OR TWO. THIS COULD BE MORE DANGEROUS IF IT DID NOT RESTART AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION OR MOVING.

NHTSA ODI #10537906

4,000 miles · Aug 17, 2013
EnginePower TrainSteering

I HAVE THE 2013 ATS 2.0 TURBO AND I HAD A FEW ISSUES WITH IT.THE FIRST IS STEERING,SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE POWER FAILURE, ITS THE ONLY NEW CAR I OWNED WHEN THE CAR IS OFF THE WHEEL TURNS COMPLETELY.ALSO PULLS TO RIGHT.OTHER ISSUE I GET BANGING NOISE WHEN PUT IN REVERSE,AND A FEW TIMES SOUNDED LIKE TRANS MAKING RACE NOISE.THE CUE SY…

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I HAVE THE 2013 ATS 2.0 TURBO AND I HAD A FEW ISSUES WITH IT.THE FIRST IS STEERING,SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE POWER FAILURE, ITS THE ONLY NEW CAR I OWNED WHEN THE CAR IS OFF THE WHEEL TURNS COMPLETELY.ALSO PULLS TO RIGHT.OTHER ISSUE I GET BANGING NOISE WHEN PUT IN REVERSE,AND A FEW TIMES SOUNDED LIKE TRANS MAKING RACE NOISE.THE CUE SYSTEM IS A JOKE,WHEN MY TRIAL FOR XM RAN OUT I TRIED TO LISTEN TO FM RDI AND THAT'S A JOKE,I CANT LISTEN TO ONE SONG,THERE'S STATIC EIGHTY PERCENT OF TIMES.OTHER ISSUES RIDE IS HORRIBLE RIDES LIKE A TRANS AM AND SHAKES WHEN HIT BUMPS.AFTER COMING OUT OF A ACURA AND HONDA I NOW KNOW WHY I STAYED AWAY FROM GM.OH FORGOT THE ENGINE SHAKES AT IDLE FEELS LIKE STALL,THEN REVS UP.ALL THE DEALER DOES IS SAYS MEETS DESIGNED FUNCTION.I ASK MYSELF A CAR THIS EXPENSIVE IS IT SUPPOSED TO BE CRAP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10535892

1,000 miles · Jan 14, 2013
Steering

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. MESSAGE IN THE DIC INDICATED "SERVICE POWER STEERING, DRIVE WITH CARE". UPON RESTART OF ENGINE THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. DEALER SAW C0545 STEERING WHEEL TORQUE SENSOR FAULT, DEALER NOTES INDICATE THAT THE CONNECTOR WAS CHECKED AND WAS OK. ALSO CHE…

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WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. MESSAGE IN THE DIC INDICATED "SERVICE POWER STEERING, DRIVE WITH CARE". UPON RESTART OF ENGINE THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. DEALER SAW C0545 STEERING WHEEL TORQUE SENSOR FAULT, DEALER NOTES INDICATE THAT THE CONNECTOR WAS CHECKED AND WAS OK. ALSO CHECKED EBCM SOFTWARE, WHICH WAS UP TO DATE. NOTHING FURTHER WAS DONE, NO PARTS UPDATED OR REPLACED. I RECEIVED THE SAME DIC MESSAGE ~4 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS WITHOUT THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING PRIOR TO THIS EVENT WHICH PROMPTED A VISIT TO THE DEALER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10492962

600 miles · Nov 28, 2012
Steering

WHEN TAKING A CORNER THE CAR APPEARED TO OVER STEER. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS ME SO I WENT TO TURN THE WHEEL TO CORRECT IT AND IT FELT SLUGGISH FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD. ALMOST INSTANTLY AFTER THAT A WARNING CAME UP ON THE DASH THAT INDICATED SOMETHING LIKE "SERVICE POWER STEERING, PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY". THE WARNING OCCURRE…

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WHEN TAKING A CORNER THE CAR APPEARED TO OVER STEER. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS ME SO I WENT TO TURN THE WHEEL TO CORRECT IT AND IT FELT SLUGGISH FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD. ALMOST INSTANTLY AFTER THAT A WARNING CAME UP ON THE DASH THAT INDICATED SOMETHING LIKE "SERVICE POWER STEERING, PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY". THE WARNING OCCURRED TWO MORE TIMES IN A MATTER OF A COUPLE MILES BUT I DID NOT REALLY NOTICE ANY STEERING ISSUES THOSE TIMES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486378

Official recalls

6

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

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 ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.