YearToAvoid

2018 Cadillac ATS Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

17/100

#6 most-complained of 7 ATS years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2018 Cadillac ATS ranks 6th of 7 model years with a complaint index of 17, the lowest among all ATS years, and carries a "Best" verdict. It has 21 complaints, 2 recalls, and no fires reported.

Complaints
21
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
24
20 city / 30 hwy

Top 2018 Cadillac ATS problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Transmission & Powertrain6 (29%)
  2. Electrical System5 (24%)
  3. Steering3 (14%)
  4. Airbags2 (10%)
  5. Fuel System2 (10%)
  6. Other2 (10%)
  7. Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (10%)
  8. Engine1 (5%)
  9. Structure & Body1 (5%)

What owners report

  • Transmission shudders between 42 and 48 mph as if repeatedly shifting gears.
  • Some owners report the transmission loses power or slows unexpectedly at freeway and local speeds, which one owner linked to incorrect transmission fluid.
  • Infotainment or instrument screens develop spider cracks under the glass while the vehicle is parked.
  • Power steering assist fails, triggering a warning to service the steering system and drive with care, at a median mileage of 24,271 miles.
  • Tires bulge off the rim and are deemed unsafe to drive, requiring repeated replacement.
  • The front passenger airbag warning light illuminates due to a presence module issue, sometimes recurring after repair, at a median mileage of 19,000 miles.
2018 Cadillac ATS complaints: complaints filed per month3Apr 2018Aug 2020Jun 2022Jun 2023Jun 2024Dec 2025
24 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2018 to May 2026; peak Jul 2018 (3).

2018 Cadillac ATS recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 25V175000Mar 20, 2025Steering934 vehicles

    Steering:electric power assist system

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.

    Risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252497020.

  2. NHTSA 18V358000May 31, 2018Fuel System895 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.

    Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

2018 Cadillac ATS fuel economy and fuel cost

City
20 MPG
Highway
30 MPG
Combined
24 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,200
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
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.

2018 compared with other ATS years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002013201420152016201720182019
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2016Caution6732324.5
2017Good3332224.5
2018Best1721224
2019No verdict02023.5

All Cadillac ATS years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Cadillac ATS reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 ATS has a complaint index of 17, the lowest of all seven ATS model years tracked, earning it a "Best" verdict relative to other ATS years.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Cadillac ATS?
Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 29% of complaints, followed by Electrical System problems at 24% and Steering issues at 14%, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2018 Cadillac ATS have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2018 ATS: one for electric power steering assist failure and one for a high pressure fuel pump/pipe replacement. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2018 ATS compare to other ATS model years?
The 2018 ATS has a complaint index of 17, far below the 2013 model's index of 100 and the 2014 model's 83, and ranks better than 2013-2016 which carry "Avoid" or "Caution" verdicts.
What mileage do 2018 ATS problems typically show up at?
Median mileage at failure across complaints is 28,899 miles overall, with transmission issues appearing around 84,000 miles and steering issues around 24,271 miles, per NHTSA data.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.