2018 CADILLAC ATS — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
5/5
Safety Rating
25
Owner Complaints
2
Recalls
30
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2018 CADILLAC ATS
The 2018 CADILLAC ATS has received a total of 25 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 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. 30 technical service bulletins have been issued by General Motors, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Power Train (6 complaints), Electrical System (3 complaints), and Fuelpropulsion System (2 complaints).
Recalls for the 2018 CADILLAC ATS
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2018 CADILLAC ATS, potentially affecting up to 2,763 vehicles.
Recall 25V175000 — STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
| 934 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 25V175000 — STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
| 934 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Recall 18V358000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 895 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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,...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2018 CADILLAC ATS
25 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2018 CADILLAC ATS. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuelpropulsion System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bags | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Air Bags Air Bagrestraint Control Module | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagssrs Malfunction Warning Lamplight | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Exterior Lightingheadlights | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steeringelectric Power Assist System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionrearaxlenon Powered Axle Assembly | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the mechanic determined that the F-module, Part Number: 86815664, used to control the engine Auto START/STOP, needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted for the part and informed the contact that the part was not available. The contact had contacted approximately 6 dealers, who confirmed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 33,527.
Rear differential. This part will be available after removal. This put me at risk of potentially locking up while driving. According to the dealership, Faulkner Cadillac, "found rear differential bearings damaged, causing noise in the rear end. The Rear Differential will need replaced." There were no warning lights, but there was noise - a new, not normal noise I noticed two weeks prior to the diagnostic procedure by the dealership service department. This is the second rear differential failure. The service writer said there was no sign of leakage.
My vehicle recently started experiencing an issue where the power steering would randomly cut out while I was driving. If I pulled over and shut the car off and then turned it back on the power steering would come back. But sometimes I would have to do this multiple times in a single drive just to keep the power steering on. I know that there is already a recall for this for some 2018 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles, but mine was not included in the recall, despite having the same issue. Took it to the dealer for diagnostic and they ended up having to replace the control module for the power steering which cost me around $2000.
The power steering will randomly stop working while driving! We have had it in the shop 3 times and they can't find anything! We have replaced alternator, battery and it still isn't fixed! I seen u had a recall on the 16, 17, and some 18s for this issue! We have always bought GMs and are very disappointed! Could u please! Fix this issue on our car! Our car must have been over looked on this issue!
The car was parked outside at around 85 degrees. After entering the vehicle and driving with the AC on for a few minutes the CUE screen started to crack on the inside like a spider web. This has already been reported in 11576315 and 11325962. But I can't find any manufacturer communication on these. On the Internet I found that there is a class action lawsuit but only up to the year 2017 and it has already been settled privately. Since the vehicle is out of warranty there is no effort from GM to pay for the replacement. Since the CUE screen is essential for the vehicle operations, i.e. settings, navigation etc. it's a safety issue. On the Internet there are crowds of people complaining about the same issue. GM should react and offer replacement. Especially a replacement where the issue is fixed, otherwise the replacement will crack again after some years. Thanks and BR
Safety Rating for the 2018 CADILLAC ATS
The 2018 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 2018 CADILLAC ATS
General Motors, LLC has issued 30 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2018 CADILLAC ATS. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
PIP5790A — POWER TRAIN
This Preliminary information communicates a corrosion, coolant / engine oil contamination concern of the terminals located in the ECM connectors. This document is an aide for technicians to diagnose and locate a resistance concern associated with these terminals. This condition can set various trouble codes and illuminate the MIL, make the engine...
PIP5790A — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This Preliminary information communicates a corrosion, coolant / engine oil contamination concern of the terminals located in the ECM connectors. This document is an aide for technicians to diagnose and locate a resistance concern associated with these terminals. This condition can set various trouble codes and illuminate the MIL, make the engine...
PIC6402B — EQUIPMENT
This Preliminary information communicates a workaround that will lessen the occurrence of the XM presets greying out (19-NA-249) until Engineering comes up with a permanant repair.
20NA054 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: CAMERA SYSTEM
This informational bulletin provides information for dealers/technicians on Rear View Camera Guidance Lines Dim After Radio Replacement or Programming.
N192225370 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Service Update - Certain vehicles had their fuel tank vent line serviced with the incorrect orifice size in the tank vent to evaporative emissions canister line. Dealers are to replace the fuel tank vent hose assembly.
19NA280 — EQUIPMENT
This technical bulletin provides repair information to correct a customer concern of Connected Navigation and Live Traffic Services Inoperative.
PIP5402E — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with the diagnosis and repair steps for a vehicle with a check engine light on with Diagnostic Trouble Code P015B or a reduced engine power message with Diagnostic Trouble Code P1101. Technician should look for a missing or damaged O-ring seal in the...
PIT5551E — FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
This Preliminary information communicates a "Forward Collision System Reduced" message displayed on the DIC when the Forward Automatic Braking has been set to the "Alert" setting. This is normal when the FAB has been set to "Alert".
PIC6086F — VISIBILITY
This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with steps to resolve the issue of an oily substance that may be found on the inside windshield surface, and appears to be leaking from the rear view mirror area. Technician will remove the moisture sensor and clean the glass and mounting bracket...
PIC6025D — STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR
This Preliminary Information communication provides the technician with a diagnostic tip for vehicles with intermittent no crack with a "Turn Steering Wheel Start Vehicle Again". If there is a Diagnostic Trouble Code B305A stored history in the Body Control Module it may have been caused by a bound up steering...
Showing 10 of 30 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2018 CADILLAC ATS
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the CADILLAC ATS
- 2013 CADILLAC ATS — 255 complaints
- 2014 CADILLAC ATS — 140 complaints
- 2015 CADILLAC ATS — 39 complaints
- 2016 CADILLAC ATS — 40 complaints
- 2017 CADILLAC ATS — 39 complaints
- 2018 CADILLAC ATS (current)
- 2019 CADILLAC ATS — 4 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