Cadillac ATS Complaints

388 consumer complaints on file.

#11772902October 22, 2026
POWER TRAIN
NHTSA: 14V338 Date Issued: 2014-06-18 Transmission shifter cable detach from Transmission. Vehicle will not change gears. Contacted GM 10/22/26 9:52am est spoke with Terran, GM states no details of any repairs, shows inspected 07/15/2014, unable to assist with repairs due to outside of timeframe. My research shows no timeframe or milage limits for this specific recall. GM has done no repairs for this recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11771169October 14, 2026
STEERING
My 2017 Cadillac ATS had the Electric Power Steering failed and I found a recall for the same year make and model went to the dealer and they said my vin isn't part of that recall but this vehicle has 49K miles and there was no reason it failed. They need to expand the recall.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11770205October 9, 2026
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V329000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The dealer was contacted by phone, and the contact was informed that the parts were unavailable to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11769806October 8, 2026
POWER TRAIN
The vehicle has suffered a severe mechanical failure of the rear differential assembly, rendering it completely undrivable. This mechanical failure is a direct result of a known manufacturer defect documented in General Motors Technical Service Bulletin PIP5898/PIP5898B, regarding misoriented factory side bearing retaining snap rings that block internal oil ports, leading to fluid leaks, severe fluid starvation, and eventual component seizure. The component failure poses an extreme safety hazard to myself and other motorist. When a rear differential suffers catastrophic failure, this is known to cause the rear wheels and tires to lock up completely while driving leading to immediate loss of vehicle control, skidding, and high risk of high speed rear-end or rollover crash. General Motors has acknowledged this defect internally via technical bulletins but has failed to issue a safety recall to protect consumers from the catastrophic locking risk. I am filing this complaint to request that NHTSA open a formal defect investigation into the 2018 Cadillac ATS rear axle assembly.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759033August 24, 2026
POWER TRAIN
In August 2026, at approximately 99,639 miles, my 2014 Cadillac ATS was taken to an authorized Cadillac dealership for service. During the inspection, the dealership discovered and diagnosed a leaking right rear axle shaft seal. I was not aware of the leak beforehand and did not receive a warning light or message indicating the condition. The dealership’s written repair order states that the right rear axle shaft seal was leaking and that the right rear axle seal was replaced. The repair was completed at my expense. I have the dealership repair order and invoice documenting the diagnosis, mileage, parts replaced, and repair. After the repair, I researched this issue and found other NHTSA consumer complaints involving rear axle/differential seal leakage on 2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles. I also found GM manufacturer communications addressing rear axle leakage on certain Cadillac ATS vehicles. I am reporting this failure so NHTSA has a record of another rear axle seal leak involving a Cadillac ATS and can determine whether this condition may represent a broader defect or safety trend. I do not know the specific underlying cause of the seal failure and am not asserting that it has been established as the same cause as any other reported vehicle. The failed seal was replaced by the dealership. Documentation of the diagnosis and repair is available upon request.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757509August 17, 2026
POWER TRAIN
My 2014 Cadillac ATS experienced a transmission shift cable/linkage failure. After driving normally, I pulled into my garage and moved the shifter to Park. The physical shifter was in Park, but the instrument cluster continued to indicate Drive (D). The vehicle would not recognize Park, the shifter became stuck, and the vehicle would not restart because the transmission was still being detected as being in Drive. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Cadillac dealership for diagnosis. The dealership confirmed that the range selector lever cable had detached from the shift shaft. Their written diagnosis states that the plastic retainers securing the cable failed, causing the shifter to show the wrong drive mode. The dealer recommended replacement of the range selector lever cable. I later learned that this vehicle was previously subject to GM Safety Recall 14179 / NHTSA Recall 14V-338 concerning the automatic transmission shift cable. GM records show the recall was completed in 2014 through inspection; I was informed that no replacement part was installed at that time because none was required. I am reporting this because the vehicle has now experienced a shift cable/linkage detachment that appears similar to the failure condition addressed by that recall. This created a safety concern because the physical shifter position did not correspond with the transmission gear indicated/engaged, and the vehicle could not reliably be placed in Park. The vehicle and failed condition have been inspected and documented by an authorized Cadillac dealership. Dealer documentation and video of the diagnosis are available.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11751834July 21, 2026
AIR BAGS
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V329000 (Air Bags); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. An unknown dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744659June 17, 2026
AIR BAGS
Air bag dashboard light is on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11744660June 17, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN
NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V558000 Rear Defogger Coil Antenna Module may Overheat If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, not sure what is happening but car does seem to overheat off and on especially when radio is turned on
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740633May 28, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
service rear view camera message on randomly and then the camera goes blank. Independent service center diagnostic scan reported: FAULT B127B Rearview camera input signal circuit missing reference (Symptom 2B) - History DTC.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740000May 26, 2026
POWER TRAIN
Transmission fluid temperature sensor in the 8 speed automatic 8L90 transmission from GM is a known issue. Causes vehicle to shift/jerk erratically especially in stop and go traffic.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11737210May 12, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
Both side mirrors failed. Internal components corroded, one almost fell off when driving, the other later became completely detached. Failed parts that could have caused a major safety issue if they were to fail during operation.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11735357May 3, 2026
POWER TRAIN
On 3rd differential in 2 years. Dealer won’t fix without us paying ANOTHER $4,700. There is NO way a differential goes 3 times in 2 years. Something is wrong. Help!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733798April 25, 2026
STEERING
Driving home message came up on the dash, saying, power steering problem. Next thing you know, it was extremely hard to turn the wheel left or right.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11733655April 24, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Fuel and/or combustion problem leading to excessive emissions at unpredictable times. I mean so much smoke suddenly comes out that the driver behind can't see, and it seems the car may be on fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11721871March 3, 2026
WHEELS
I have replaced two brand new tires on the back right. I then saw that there was a TSB for the very issue im having with my vehicle. A slow loss of air from the back right tire. The TSB link is https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=11017016 Its a slow.loss of air that eventually ends you up with a blown tire on the side of the road which has happened twice to me now. There is no location on the vehicle for a spare tire coincidentally. I still have the tires with damage to them for proof . My brakes and rotors have been. Changed because the mechanic said that could be the issue. I never thought of it being the tire and rim until I saw the TSB for this which is exactly what it feels like when the air does get in the rim and begins to naw the wall of the tire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716084February 6, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
I bought my car from a dealership. Owned it for 2yrs 2mo. 107k miles First issue came up after 3-4 months. Faulty power steering. Took it to service at a dealership they said I would need my wire harness assembly replaced as well as a steering gear. Problem still persists. Also one of the mechanics there showed me that the previous owner glued harness connector components together which is why I started seeing issues that weren't there before. Now today three new warning/service lights: abs, brake warning and traction control lights. I think it is the battery but I haven't tested it. Someone online with the same issue said he had to replace the electronic brake control module. So this issue has not been diagnosed. As a result of the traction control malfunctioning suddenly I spun out on the highway in slippery conditions but did not collide with anything. Both issues are available for inspection. More information can be found on the quote in the attatchment.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11706515December 22, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the mechanic determined that the F-module, Part Number: 86815664, used to control the engine Auto START/STOP, needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted for the part and informed the contact that the part was not available. The contact had contacted approximately 6 dealers, who confirmed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 33,527.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11701363November 24, 2025
STEERING, WHEELS, SUSPENSION
My 2016 Cadillac ATS Coupe has a serious repeating safety defect. The vehicle violently shakes, vibrates, and becomes unstable while driving. This happened TWICE. Both times the rear bolts came out except one. Both mechanics who inspected it said they have NEVER seen this before. The first time, I paid $4,000 out of pocket at another shop. The problem happened again, proving this is a manufacturing defect. My AXP diagnostic on November 4, 2025 confirms major rear differential/axle issues. The vehicle is unsafe and undrivable. One mechanic told me DO NOT DRIVE IT. Cadillac told me the opposite — “safe to pick up” — even though they did no real diagnostic. Cadillac refused to give anything in writing, refused a loaner, and ignored multiple emails. A Cadillac representative told me they reviewed the previous calls, meaning they know the full history. They still refused to fix the dangerous defect. I have paid over $33k, paid $4k for the first repair, still owe $7k, and Cadillac now wants another $7k for the same issue. This is a major safety risk to me and other drivers.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11690585September 30, 2025
AIR BAGS
I was in a vehicle accident on 9-26-25 and was t-boned. The other driver hit me at 35-45 after she blew the stopping, I was hit on the driver side pillar and back driver door. My air bags never deployed and I was trapped inside the car until the fire department was on scene
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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