2014 Cadillac ATS Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
83/100
#2 most-complained of 7 ATS years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2014 Cadillac ATS has a complaint index of 83 and ranks 2nd worst of 7 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 104 complaints, 4 recalls, and 6 crashes tied to this year, with transmission and powertrain issues topping the list.
- Complaints
- 104
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 6 / 2
- Injuries / deaths
- 10 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 19.5 city / 29 hwy
Top 2014 Cadillac ATS problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain30 (29%)
- Other25 (24%)
- Electrical System20 (19%)
- Engine17 (16%)
- Steering10 (10%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires10 (10%)
- Airbags7 (7%)
- Brakes5 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (5%)
- Structure & Body4 (4%)
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle rolling backward with a grinding noise when parked on an incline, with the brake pedal unable to stop it.
- Some describe the car hydroplaning in rain, with the Stabilitrak system jerking the vehicle back into its lane, which owners called terrifying.
- Several report sudden loss of engine power at low speeds, sometimes leading to a complete electrical shutdown and towing.
- A few describe smoke coming from under the hood while driving, with no dashboard warning lights illuminated beforehand.
- Owners also report the vehicle wandering and failing to hold a straight line at highway speeds on level roads.
- One report describes the temperature gauge rising and the engine overheating with all warning indicators lighting up at once.
2014 Cadillac ATS recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V558000Sep 3, 2015HVAC96,145 vehicles
Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 15V463000Jul 24, 2015Visibility & Wipers63,665 vehicles
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
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."
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 14V446000Jul 23, 2014Structure & Body124,007 vehicles
Seats
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.
Risk: 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.
2014 Cadillac ATS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2014 compared with other ATS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Cadillac ATS reliable?
- Compared to other ATS model years, 2014 ranks 2nd worst of 7 with a complaint index of 83 and a verdict of Avoid. It has 104 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2014 Cadillac ATS?
- Transmission and Powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 30 complaints, or 29% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 52,500 miles.
- Does the 2014 Cadillac ATS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2014 Cadillac ATS, covering HVAC/rear defogger wiring, a roof console switch, a seat track weld, and a transmission shift cable.
- How does the 2014 ATS compare to the 2013 ATS?
- The 2013 ATS is worse, with a complaint index of 100 and 160 complaints versus 104 for 2014. Both years carry an Avoid verdict, but 2013 ranks worst overall.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2014 Cadillac ATS?
- EPA rates the 2014 Cadillac ATS at 23 mpg combined, 19.5 mpg city, and 29 mpg highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.