IllustrationTHE WINDSHIELD ON THIS CAR IS SEVERELY FLAWED. THERE ARE NUMEROUS AIR BUBBLES AND BLISTERING AFFECTING YOUR VISIBILITY OUT OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. IT LOOKS LIKE THE WINDSHIELD IS DELAMINATING. I SEARCHED IN GOOGLE AND IT APPEARS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THESE ISSUES. SAME MAKE/MODEL AND YEAR.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Ats years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
550–25K
2225–50K
2250–75K
1275–100K
11100–150K
2150K+
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
What owners actually said
160 reportsMY SUNROOF WILL NOT CLOSE WHILE PARKED MY CAR DID NOT START. THE GAUGES AND LIGHTS CAME ON, BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT START WHILE PARKED MY DEFROST DOESN'T WORK ON THE FRONT WINDOW WHEN RAINING. THE WINDSHIELD IS FOGGY WHILE DRIVING
MEDIUM SIZE BULGE ( ABOUT 2") ON SIDEWALL NEXT TO RIM OF PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. MICHELIN PRIMACY MXM4 TIRE SIZE 225/40R/18. NOTICED WHEN VEHICLE PARKED AND I WAS WASHING RIMS.
I WANTED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATIVE TO RECALL NO. 15299. THIS RECALL EFFECTED CADILLAC ATS REAR DEFROSTERS. THE "FIX" WAS TO ADD SOFTWARE CONTROLS THAT MINIMIZED THE RISK OF FIRE TO SOME OWNER, BUT IT CERTAINLY DID NOT ELIMINATE THE RISK. IN FACT I POINTED OUT TO CADILLAC LAST YEAR THAT THERE WERE STILL CONTROLS …
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I WANTED TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RELATIVE TO RECALL NO. 15299. THIS RECALL EFFECTED CADILLAC ATS REAR DEFROSTERS. THE "FIX" WAS TO ADD SOFTWARE CONTROLS THAT MINIMIZED THE RISK OF FIRE TO SOME OWNER, BUT IT CERTAINLY DID NOT ELIMINATE THE RISK. IN FACT I POINTED OUT TO CADILLAC LAST YEAR THAT THERE WERE STILL CONTROLS STRATEGIES THAT WOULD COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. MEANING FOR SOME OWNERS THE RECALL WOULD DO NOTHING TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF FIRE. WHEN I EXPRESSED THIS TO CADILLAC THEY IMMEDIATELY STOPPED RESPONDING TO MY EMAILS (ATTACHED). SINCE THEN CADILLAC HAS QUIETLY IMPLEMENTED AN ACTUAL FIX TO THE WEAK CONNECTORS. BUT THEY ARE NOT ISSUING THIS FIX TO ALL OWNERS. ONLY TO ONES THAT COMPLAIN ABOUT TO LOST FEATURES. SINCE THIS ACTUAL FIX ELIMINATES INSTEAD OF REDUCING THE LIFE SAFETY RISK IT MUST BE ADDED TO THE ORIGINAL RECALL.
CAR SHUT OFF FOR THE SECOND TIME NO ON HAS LOOKED IN TO THIS. THIS IS MY SECOND CAR ACCIDENT AND NOW OUT OF WORK.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN PRIMACY MXM4, SIZE: 225/40/R18. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED AROUND THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A BUBBLE AT THE SITE OF THE SEPARATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH MICHELIN PRIMACY MXM4, SIZE: 225/40/R18. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TREAD SEPARATED AROUND THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED A BUBBLE AT THE SITE OF THE SEPARATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE DOT NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
CADILLAC ATS LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING CAUSING LOSE OF CONTROL AS WELL AS RIGHT CONTROL ARM SNAPPING IN HALF. DRIVER THEN HIT DITCH AND THEN A TREE CAUSE DAMAGE TO FRONT OF THE CAR AND INJURY TO DRIVE.
ENGINE IDLES AT START UP AND AT STOP LIGHT . AC COMES ON WHEN IT WANTS TO.
DRIVING ON 71 IN COLUMBUS OH TO MANSFIELD OH GOING 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND AT EX 173 STARTED SNOWING HEAVY, TRAFFIC CAME TO HAULT AT 10 MPH, HAD .09 MILES TO EXIT, GOT TO EXIT MADE A RIGHT OFF EXIT STARTED UP A HILL IN SNOW AT 30 MPH AND BEFORE MAKING IT UP THE HILL THE CAR STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF ONE LANE RD. AND DISPLAY SAID ...NO …
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DRIVING ON 71 IN COLUMBUS OH TO MANSFIELD OH GOING 70 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND AT EX 173 STARTED SNOWING HEAVY, TRAFFIC CAME TO HAULT AT 10 MPH, HAD .09 MILES TO EXIT, GOT TO EXIT MADE A RIGHT OFF EXIT STARTED UP A HILL IN SNOW AT 30 MPH AND BEFORE MAKING IT UP THE HILL THE CAR STOPPED IN MIDDLE OF ONE LANE RD. AND DISPLAY SAID ...NO POWER STEERING... CALLED 911 THREE TIMES, WAITED OUTSIDE IN SNOW FOR HR AND HALF FOR THEM TO TOW CAR TO BILL HARRIS AUTO 419-289-2000 IN ASHLAND OH FIVE MI DOWN RD. NEXT DAY THEY COULDNT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY COULDNT FIX IT. I TOLD THEM I DONT FEEL SAFE IN CAR AND THAT I COULD HAVE DIED IF GOING ANY FASTER, IT STOPPED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. HE SAID HE WOULD GIVE ME $10 THOUS TOWARDS ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN CAR IS WORTH $20,500. IN MY EXCELLENT SHAPE. I SAID WHY IS IT ONLY WORTH THAT, HE SAID BECUASE I SAID IT WASNT SAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT HE COULDNT SELL A CAR IF IT WASNT SAFE. THIS ISNT MY FAULT FOR THE POWER STEERING TO GO OUT, THERE ARE 15 COMPLAINTS ONLINE AT WWW.2013ATSCADILLACPOWERSTEERINGPROBLEMS. WHY ISNT THERE A RECALL? I WANT SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THIS, I HAVE ESCALATED CLAIM TO GM AND WANT GM TO DO A REPURCHASE OR A BUY BACK. I SHOULDNT FEEL DANGER WHEN I GET IN MY CAR. [XXX] PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX]ADDRESS IS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
ENGINE IDLES ROUGHLY. I HAVE ONLY USED PREMIUM GAS DURING FILLUPS. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT'S BECAUSE I'M NOT USING TOP TIER GAS, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS. HOW CAN AN ENGINE'S FUEL SYSTEM BE THAT SENSITIVE BECAUSE ONE GAS IS MISSING SOME DETERGENTS PER COUNT IN COMPARISON. MY ECM NEEDS TO BE REPROGRAMMED TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS. IT…
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ENGINE IDLES ROUGHLY. I HAVE ONLY USED PREMIUM GAS DURING FILLUPS. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IT'S BECAUSE I'M NOT USING TOP TIER GAS, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS. HOW CAN AN ENGINE'S FUEL SYSTEM BE THAT SENSITIVE BECAUSE ONE GAS IS MISSING SOME DETERGENTS PER COUNT IN COMPARISON. MY ECM NEEDS TO BE REPROGRAMMED TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS. IT SEEMED TO START SHAKING AFTER I GOT IT BACK FROM THE DEALERSHIP THAT CORRECTED A RECALL PROBLEM THAT DEALT WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. HOW DO YOU PUSH AN IGNORANT MANAGER TO TAKE CARE OF THIS INSTEAD OF BLAMING IT ON THE GAS?
Official recalls
615V558000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.