What years of the Cadillac ATS should I avoid?

Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2013 and 2014 Cadillac ATS rank worst, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83 and 6 and 4 recall campaigns respectively.

What is the best year for the Cadillac ATS?

The 2018 ATS is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index in the lineup at 17 and only 21 complaints and 2 recalls. The 2017 ATS is rated Good with a complaint index of 33.

How many complaints does the Cadillac ATS have overall?

Across the 2013-2019 model years, NHTSA lists 380 complaints and 11 recall campaigns for the Cadillac ATS.

What is the most common problem area on the Cadillac ATS?

Transmission and powertrain issues are the top problem area across all years, making up 27 percent of complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 23 percent and engine issues at 22 percent.

Are 2015 and 2016 Cadillac ATS models risky?

The 2015 and 2016 ATS are rated Caution, with complaint indexes of 50 and 67 and 4 and 3 recall campaigns respectively, placing them between the Avoid and Good/Best years.

Cadillac ATS Best and Worst Years (2013–2019)

The 2013 and 2014 Cadillac ATS are the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83 and 6 and 4 recall campaigns respectively. The 2018 ATS scores lowest at a complaint index of 17 and is the Best year, with 2017 rated Good.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2013 Avoid 2014 Best 2018

Model years: 7; 2013–2019
NHTSA complaints: 380
Recall campaigns: 11
Crashes reported: 21
Fires reported: 2
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain

ATS Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Cadillac ATS problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2013	Avoid	100	160	9	0	6	Engine	22.5	5★
2014	Avoid	83	104	6	2	4	Transmission & Powertrain	23	5★
2015	Caution	50	29	1	0	4	Electrical System	23	5★
2016	Caution	67	32	3	0	3	Transmission & Powertrain	24.5	5★
2017	Good	33	32	1	0	2	Steering	24.5	5★
2018	Best	17	21	1	0	2	Transmission & Powertrain	24	5★
2019	No verdict	0	2	0	0	0	Brakes	23.5	—

ATS years to avoid: what went wrong

2013 Cadillac ATS Index 100 · 160 complaints · 6 recalls

The 2013 ATS logged 160 complaints, the most of any year, and carries the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100. Owners reported engine problems most often, at 34 percent of complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 6,160 miles. Transmission and electrical complaints followed, including reports of the car moving unexpectedly out of park and stalling with loss of steering. GM issued 6 recall campaigns for this model year, covering HVAC defogger wiring, a roof panel switch, and front seat belt pretensioners. Nine crashes and eight injuries were reported.

2013 engine problems →2013 transmission & powertrain problems →2013 electrical system problems →

2014 Cadillac ATS Index 83 · 104 complaints · 4 recalls

The 2014 ATS posted 104 complaints and a complaint index of 83, the second-highest in the lineup. Transmission and powertrain problems led at 29 percent of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 52,500 miles; owners described grinding noises and rollback on inclines even with the brake depressed. Electrical issues followed at 19 percent, median mileage 54,189. GM issued 4 recall campaigns, including one for a seat hook bracket weld. Six crashes, two fires, and ten injuries were reported for the year.

2014 transmission & powertrain problems →2014 electrical system problems →2014 engine problems →

Most common Cadillac ATS problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Transmission & Powertrain101 (27%)
Electrical System89 (23%)
Engine84 (22%)
Steering61 (16%)
Other59 (16%)
Brakes35 (9%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires35 (9%)
Airbags27 (7%)
Fuel System13 (3%)
Visibility & Wipers13 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Cadillac ATS should I avoid?: Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2013 and 2014 Cadillac ATS rank worst, with complaint indexes of 100 and 83 and 6 and 4 recall campaigns respectively.
What is the best year for the Cadillac ATS?: The 2018 ATS is rated Best, with the lowest complaint index in the lineup at 17 and only 21 complaints and 2 recalls. The 2017 ATS is rated Good with a complaint index of 33.
How many complaints does the Cadillac ATS have overall?: Across the 2013-2019 model years, NHTSA lists 380 complaints and 11 recall campaigns for the Cadillac ATS.
What is the most common problem area on the Cadillac ATS?: Transmission and powertrain issues are the top problem area across all years, making up 27 percent of complaints, followed by electrical system issues at 23 percent and engine issues at 22 percent.
Are 2015 and 2016 Cadillac ATS models risky?: The 2015 and 2016 ATS are rated Caution, with complaint indexes of 50 and 67 and 4 and 3 recall campaigns respectively, placing them between the Avoid and Good/Best years.