2015 Cadillac ATS Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 Cadillac ATS has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 4th worst out of 7 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 29 complaints and 4 recalls, led by electrical system issues (31% of complaints).
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #4 of 7 ATS years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 29
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 19.5 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2015 Cadillac ATS problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System9 (31%)
- Steering6 (21%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (17%)
- Other4 (14%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (14%)
- Brakes3 (10%)
- Fuel System3 (10%)
- Airbags2 (7%)
- Engine2 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear differential develops a howling or roaring noise, sometimes leading to replacement around 85,000 to 104,000 miles.
- Electric power steering can suddenly lock up or stop assisting, sometimes while backing out of a parking space, with a service power steering message on the display.
- Brake pedal can go soft or become unresponsive, with reports of brakes failing to stop the vehicle even after recent replacement.
- HID headlights are described as inadequate for visibility at night, with some owners reporting both headlights failing at once.
- Tire pressure sensors trigger after tire vibration over bumps, with owners noticing sidewall damage afterward.
- A loud pop from the steering/rear end while turning was linked to a loss of steering control and a crash.
2015 Cadillac ATS recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 26V329000May 21, 2026Airbags5,014 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N262555870. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026.
- 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.
2015 Cadillac ATS fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19.5 MPG
- Highway
- 28 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.
2015 compared with other ATS years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Cadillac ATS reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2015 ATS has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 4th worst of 7 model years, earning a Caution verdict relative to other ATS years.
- What problems does the 2015 Cadillac ATS have?
- NHTSA complaints point to electrical system issues (31% of complaints, including headlights and power steering), steering problems (21%), and transmission/powertrain issues such as rear differential noise (17%).
- Does the 2015 Cadillac ATS have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2015 ATS, covering front-driver airbag inflators, a rear defogger antenna module, a roof console switch issue, and a brake pedal bracket that could fracture.
- What year Cadillac ATS should I avoid?
- Among ATS years, 2013 has the highest Complaint Index at 100 and an Avoid verdict, followed by 2014 at 83, also Avoid. The 2015 ATS is rated Caution, better than those two but worse than 2016 through 2018.
- What is the best year for the Cadillac ATS?
- The 2018 ATS has the lowest Complaint Index at 17 and carries a Best verdict, followed by 2017 at 33 with a Good verdict.