← New search

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 →

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

What owners actually said

160 reports
85,000 miles · Oct 11, 2017
Electrical SystemWheels

2 SETS OF BRAND NEW MICIHLEN TIRES WERE MOUNTED ONTO MY VEHICLE OLD TIRES WERE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE BUT I WAS GETTING A RUBBING SOUND FROM THE TIRES AFTER HAVING THE TIRES REPLACE I'M STILL GETTING THE SAME ISSUE THIS SOUNDS IS MORE NOTICEABLE AT A ACCELERATION SPEED. (BRAKES ARE GOOD) ALSO WITH THE LANE DEPARTURE IT WILL GO OFF…

Read full complaint

2 SETS OF BRAND NEW MICIHLEN TIRES WERE MOUNTED ONTO MY VEHICLE OLD TIRES WERE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE BUT I WAS GETTING A RUBBING SOUND FROM THE TIRES AFTER HAVING THE TIRES REPLACE I'M STILL GETTING THE SAME ISSUE THIS SOUNDS IS MORE NOTICEABLE AT A ACCELERATION SPEED. (BRAKES ARE GOOD) ALSO WITH THE LANE DEPARTURE IT WILL GO OFF AT RANDOM TIMES WHEN I'M NO WHERE KNEW GOING OVER THE STREET LINES...

NHTSA ODI #11032826

50,000 miles · Aug 28, 2017
Unknown Or Other

KEYS WERE IN OWNER'S HANDS WHILE OPENING THE TRUNK, AND THEN THE KEYS WERE ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED INTO THE TRUNK WHEN THE TRUNK WAS SHUT. WHEN OWNER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE TRUNK BY HITTING THE BUTTON ON THE TRUNK, THE TRUNK DID NOT OPEN. THEN THE OWNER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO ACCESS THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON, BUT T…

Read full complaint

KEYS WERE IN OWNER'S HANDS WHILE OPENING THE TRUNK, AND THEN THE KEYS WERE ACCIDENTALLY DROPPED INTO THE TRUNK WHEN THE TRUNK WAS SHUT. WHEN OWNER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE TRUNK BY HITTING THE BUTTON ON THE TRUNK, THE TRUNK DID NOT OPEN. THEN THE OWNER ATTEMPTED TO OPEN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR TO ACCESS THE TRUNK RELEASE BUTTON, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RECOGNIZE THAT THE KEYS WERE INSIDE THE VEHICLE (I.E. TRUNK) AND THE DOOR DID NOT UNLOCK (I.E. THE BUTTON ON THE DOOR HANDLES DID NOT WORK).

NHTSA ODI #11020109

38,000 miles · Aug 23, 2017
Wheels

SCRUNCHING/RUBBING SOUND FROM FRONT LEFT AND REAR LEFT TIRES. BASED ON ABOUT 40 POSTS ON CADILLAC ATS FORUM, THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. HTTP://WWW.CADILLACFORUMS.COM/FORUMS/CADILLAC-ATS-GENERAL-DISCUSSION-FORUM/737714-SCRAPING-SCRUNCHING-NOISE-FRONT-VEHICLE-DURING.HTML

NHTSA ODI #11019158

58,600 miles · May 31, 2017
Electrical System

EVERY OTHER DAY THE CUE UNIT WOULD LOOSE SENSIBILITY, AT FIRST IT WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE BOTTOM PART OF THE SCREEN , FOLLOWED INSTRUCTIONS ON RESETTING THE SYSTEM STILL WOULD NOT WORK COUPLE OF DAYS LATER THE WHOLE SCREEN WOULD NOT WORK.

NHTSA ODI #10992568

67,000 miles · May 28, 2017
Electrical System

THE CUE SYSTEM THE TOUCH SCREEN TO THE INFORMATION DOESN'T WORK IN CAR. THIS SCREEN CONTAINS HEATER AND COOLING INFO AND SETTING, RADIO AND NAVIGATION OPERATIONS. THE SCREEN IS FROZEN.

NHTSA ODI #10992010

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2017
Steering

STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING ALL TO LEFT VIBRATE AND SOME TIME LOCKS,DASH BOARD WARNING PLEASE DRIVE WITH CARE,SERVICE REQUIRED.CONTACTED DEALER SINCE 2013 MANY TIMES NO PROBLEMS FOUND EXCEPT ONE TIME DID PULL UP CODE,RESET COMPUTER,CONTACTED CADILLAC AND I WAS TOLD SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL IS OK TO DRIVE THE CAR LIKE THAT HOWEVE…

Read full complaint

STEERING WHEEL WHEN TURNING ALL TO LEFT VIBRATE AND SOME TIME LOCKS,DASH BOARD WARNING PLEASE DRIVE WITH CARE,SERVICE REQUIRED.CONTACTED DEALER SINCE 2013 MANY TIMES NO PROBLEMS FOUND EXCEPT ONE TIME DID PULL UP CODE,RESET COMPUTER,CONTACTED CADILLAC AND I WAS TOLD SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL IS OK TO DRIVE THE CAR LIKE THAT HOWEVER IS ON RECORD.PROBLE STILL THERE AND I FILL IS UNSATE TO DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10969497

38,000 miles · Mar 23, 2017
Exterior Lighting

RIGHT REAR ILLUMINATED DOOR HANDLE LED STOPPED LIGHTING UP. 38K MILES. I CHECKED WIRES. ALL CONNECTED PROPERLY. THREE OTHER DOOR HANDLES LIGHTING UP CORRECTLY.

NHTSA ODI #10967950

22,000 miles · Oct 21, 2016
Steering

I PURCHASED A 2013 CADILLAC ATS 4 ON 9/29/16. ON 10/14/16 WHILE DRIVING MY STEERING COLUMN LIGHT UP AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE IN MOTION. I WAS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN DRIVING ON GRATIOT, WHICH IS A STRAIGHT STREET, BUT I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL TO PULL OVER. I KEPT TRYING TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT AN…

Read full complaint

I PURCHASED A 2013 CADILLAC ATS 4 ON 9/29/16. ON 10/14/16 WHILE DRIVING MY STEERING COLUMN LIGHT UP AND STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP WHILE IN MOTION. I WAS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN DRIVING ON GRATIOT, WHICH IS A STRAIGHT STREET, BUT I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE WHEEL TO PULL OVER. I KEPT TRYING TO FORCE THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT AND RIGHT AND FINALLY WAS ABLE TO TURN AND PULL OVER. WHEN I CONTACTED THE DEAR I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN BY [XXX] AT NOVI CADILLAC BECAUSE THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR AND ON 10/20/16 EXPLAINED THEY COULD NOT REDUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND GAVE ME MY CAR BACK. ON MY OWN, I CHECKED INTO PROBLEMS WITH THIS MODEL ONLY TO FIND THERE ARE OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED BUYING AMERICAN CARS, BUT PROBLEMS NEED TO BE FIXED WHEN THE COMPANY IS NOTIFIED OF A PROBLEM. I WILL BE ESCALATING THIS MATTER BECAUSE I AM NOT PLEASED THAT A PROBLEM EXISTS AND SERVICE DOES NOT SHARE THIS INFORMATION WITH CUSTOMERS. I HAVE A "TRUST" BUT "VERIFY" WHEN IT COMES TO MY FAMILY SAFETY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10917842

57,958 miles · Oct 19, 2016
Electrical System

ON MY 2013 CADILLAC ATS PREMIUM MODEL MY CADILLAC CUE SYSTEM TOUCH SCREEN ISN'T WORKING I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR THREE DAYS FROM A DEALER. I AM NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM, THE WEATHER, RADIO SETTINGS, MY CLIMATE CONTROL, AND BLUETOOTH. BY RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY VERY VERY COMMO…

Read full complaint

ON MY 2013 CADILLAC ATS PREMIUM MODEL MY CADILLAC CUE SYSTEM TOUCH SCREEN ISN'T WORKING I'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR THREE DAYS FROM A DEALER. I AM NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM, THE WEATHER, RADIO SETTINGS, MY CLIMATE CONTROL, AND BLUETOOTH. BY RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY VERY VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH CADILLAC IN THEIR TOUCH SCREEN TECHNOLOGY.

NHTSA ODI #10917413

60,000 miles · Sep 27, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CADILLAC USER EXPERIENCE (CUE) SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CUE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CADILLAC USER EXPERIENCE (CUE) SYSTEM FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CUE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10909950

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.