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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

Suspension complaints

5 reports
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Mileage 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 16, 2022
Suspension

I was making a left turn and I heard a loud popping noise. I pulled the vehicle into a parking lot. After stopping it would not move. When I put the car in gear I would hear a loud grinding noise coming from the back wheel base. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop. I was told that the roll pins that connect the axel to …

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I was making a left turn and I heard a loud popping noise. I pulled the vehicle into a parking lot. After stopping it would not move. When I put the car in gear I would hear a loud grinding noise coming from the back wheel base. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop. I was told that the roll pins that connect the axel to the rear differential had come out. I am unable to have the car repaired because there are no rear differentials available in that there is a nationwide back order and no one knows when they will be available. This seems similar to the problem that led to a recall of the 2014-15 Cadillac CTS model. NHTSA Recall No. : 20V-038 https://www.autoblog.com/2020/02/03/cadillac-cts-v-sport-recall/

NHTSA ODI #11469601

115,000 miles · Jan 18, 2022
Suspension

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle started making abnormal loud popping sounds, and the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact's husband was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with assistance. The vehicle was towed to …

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The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle started making abnormal loud popping sounds, and the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact's husband was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that one of the driver’s side rear axle was missing all the bolts. Additionally, the passenger’s side rear axle was missing one bolt and had loosened bolts. The independent mechanic replaced the driver’s side rear axle bolts and washers and tightened the passenger side rear axle bolts. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ODI #11447949

83,000 miles · Mar 8, 2021
SteeringSuspension

THE VEHICLE WAS LEAVING A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON ANDHAD TO GET THE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE POWER STEERING BOLTS CORRODED AND IN ORDER TO REMOVED THEM HE HAD TO REMOVE THE RACK AND PINION AND ALSO FOUND TH…

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THE VEHICLE WAS LEAVING A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON ANDHAD TO GET THE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE POWER STEERING BOLTS CORRODED AND IN ORDER TO REMOVED THEM HE HAD TO REMOVE THE RACK AND PINION AND ALSO FOUND THOSE BOLTS TO BE CORRODED. MY DAUGHTER WAS USING THE VEHICLE AND USUALLY TRAVELS ON THE HIGHWAY TO WORK

NHTSA ODI #11399813

50,000 miles · Feb 15, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL PROGRESSING FAILURES WITHIN MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE O2 SENSOR MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES, BUT NO DATA WAS FOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL PROGRESSING FAILURES WITHIN MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTAKE O2 SENSOR MAY BE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES, BUT NO DATA WAS FOUND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE ELECTRICAL FAILURES, THE TPMS WARNING INDICATOR KEPT ILLUMINATING, THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING ROUGHLY, AND THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE REAR AXLE. IN ADDITION, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER THREE. THE DEALER (PENINSULA CHEVROLET, 4 HEITZINGER PLAZA, SEASIDE, CA 93955, (831) 275-0933) DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LOW RATE OF PRESSURE IN CYLINDER FOUR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED FOR MONTHS AND WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT SOLUTION. THE MANUFACTURER OPTED TO REFUSE A BUY BACK OR TRADE IN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11073133

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.