2013 CADILLAC ATS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
255
Owner Complaints
6
Recalls
468
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2013 CADILLAC ATS
The 2013 CADILLAC ATS has received a total of 255 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). It earned an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program crash tests. There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, SEAT BELTS:FRONT. 468 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine (48 complaints), Power Train (41 complaints), and Electrical System (36 complaints).
Recalls for the 2013 CADILLAC ATS
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2013 CADILLAC ATS, potentially affecting up to 443,101 vehicles.
Recall 15V558000 — VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
| 96,145 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 15V463000 — VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
| 63,665 vehicles affected
Defect: 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,...
Consequence: 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....
View full details →Recall 14V488000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT
| 48,114 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to March 1, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to May 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and passenger lap belt pretensioner cables may not lock in a retracted position, allowing the seat belts to...
Consequence: If the seat belts do not remain locked in the retracted position when under load, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front the driver's and the passenger's lap belt pretensioners, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. GM sent interim notifications on October 7, 2014 and will send a second notification...
View full details →Recall 14V338000 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
| 90,750 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to March 20, 2014, and 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, to March 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.
Consequence: If the transmission shift cable detaches while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014. Owners may contact...
View full details →Recall 14V446000 — SEATS
| 124,007 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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...
View full details →Recall 13V220000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
| 10,210 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency...
Consequence: If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.
View full details →Recall 13V220000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
| 10,210 vehicles affected
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency...
Consequence: If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2013 CADILLAC ATS
255 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2013 CADILLAC ATS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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
Vehicle would not steer lost power steering and loud noise. Had the vehicle towed to a mechanic. The mechanic informed me that the bolts for the electronic power steering had corroded causing the electronic steering motor to fall. He told me that it is a problem with these cars and gave me a reference number (N202301950) I called GM and they said it was not a recall it was a service bulletin which I never received and is now expired. The vehicle needs a whole new Electric Power Steering Rack and Pinion Assembly due to the faulty corroded GM Bolts not to mention that I could have died or someone else could have been killed due to losing the ability to steer the vehicle because of the faulty GM parts. GM said it is my responsibility to pay for repairs which is thousands of dollars again due to their faulty parts and no fault of my own also not normal wear and tear.
Vehicle would not steer lost power steering and loud noise. Had the vehicle towed to a mechanic. The mechanic informed me that the bolts for the electronic power steering had corroded causing the electronic steering motor to fall. He told me that it is a problem with these cars and gave me a reference number (N202301950) I called GM and they said it was not a recall it was a service bulletin which I never received and is now expired. The vehicle needs a whole new Electric Power Steering Rack and Pinion Assembly due to the faulty corroded GM Bolts not to mention that I could have died or someone else could have been killed due to losing the ability to steer the vehicle because of the faulty GM parts. GM said it is my responsibility to pay for repairs which is thousands of dollars again due to their faulty parts and no fault of my own also not normal wear and tear.
Found metal shavings in oil after 13 visits to 3 different dealerships. Engine had to be replaced. Under 100,000 mikes with a service contract
Safety Rating for the 2013 CADILLAC ATS
The 2013 CADILLAC ATS received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).
| Test Category | Rating |
|---|---|
| Overall Rating | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Frontal Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Side Crash | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Safety ratings are based on controlled crash tests conducted by NHTSA. A 5-star rating indicates the highest level of occupant protection.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2013 CADILLAC ATS
General Motors, LLC has issued 468 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2013 CADILLAC ATS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIT5074R — UNKNOWN OR OTHER
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads.
PIC5730B — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician with the steps on enabling afterblow. Technician will need to use Global Diagnostic System 2 and locate the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning module part number and software part number. Technician will need to contact Techline Customer Support Center if the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning module...
13444 — POWER TRAIN
Service Update for Inventory and Customer Vehicles Dual Mass Flywheel (DMF) Protection Expires with Base Warranty. Equipped with 6-Speed Manual Transmission (M3L)
PIC6424A — EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary information communicates a condition where there is only newer hardware available when replacing the Active Safety Control Module. The newer hardware is not compatible with whatis currently loaded into the SPS programming system. Engineering is working on a new software set to address the concern.
PIP5247A — SERVICE BRAKES
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Service Engine Soon Malfunction Indicator Lamp. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Code P06DE set in the Engine Control Module. P0651 may also be set in the ECM with the P06DE. Technician must follow published Service Information...
PIC5756B — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that intermittently the Outside Air Temperature displays dashes instead of a numeric value. This is normal operation of the CUE system, whenever the battery is disconnected and reconnected for service repairs.
18207 02 — AIR BAGS
Customer Satisfaction. Certain vehicles may have a condition in which the power steering gear motor could separate from the steering gear housing due to corrosion of the attaching bolts. If the motor separates, power steering assist may be reduced or lost, and the driver may experience an unexpected increase in...
18207 02 — POWER TRAIN
Customer Satisfaction. Certain vehicles may have a condition in which the power steering gear motor could separate from the steering gear housing due to corrosion of the attaching bolts. If the motor separates, power steering assist may be reduced or lost, and the driver may experience an unexpected increase in...
18207 — AIR BAGS
Customer Satisfaction. Certain vehicles may have a condition in which the power steering gear motor could separate from the steering gear housing due to corrosion of the attaching bolts. If the motor separates, power steering assist may be reduced or lost, and the driver may experience an unexpected increase in...
PIC5979A — EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have the Heater-Vent-Air Conditioning system discharge temperature to vary from side to side when the set temperature is set to the same value. Dealer should communicate to the customer this condition is a normal operating characteristic of their...
Showing 10 of 468 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2013 CADILLAC ATS
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the CADILLAC ATS
- 2013 CADILLAC ATS (current)
- 2014 CADILLAC ATS — 140 complaints
- 2015 CADILLAC ATS — 39 complaints
- 2016 CADILLAC ATS — 40 complaints
- 2017 CADILLAC ATS — 39 complaints
- 2018 CADILLAC ATS — 25 complaints
Other CADILLAC Models
- CADILLAC SRX — 4,131 total complaints
- CADILLAC DEVILLE — 3,659 total complaints
- CADILLAC CTS — 3,088 total complaints
- CADILLAC ESCALADE — 2,120 total complaints
- CADILLAC SEVILLE — 1,049 total complaints
- CADILLAC CATERA — 826 total complaints
- CADILLAC DTS — 725 total complaints
- CADILLAC ESCALADE ESV — 633 total complaints