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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2013 Cadillac ATS Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2013 Cadillac ATS has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 161 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Cadillac dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2013 Cadillac ATS, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2013 Cadillac ATS owner complaints

Owners have filed 161 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Cadillac ATS, describing incidents dated November 28, 2012 to October 21, 2026.

Most-cited components

  • Engine 49 complaints
  • Power Train 46 complaints
  • Electrical System 36 complaints
  • Steering 25 complaints
  • Service Brakes 17 complaints
  • Unknown or Other 17 complaints

Of the 161 complaints on file, 9 report a crash; across all 161 complaints, owners report 8 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11772902 · Filed

    NHTSA: 14V338 Date Issued: 2014-06-18 Transmission shifter cable detach from Transmission. Vehicle will not change gears. Contacted GM 10/22/26 9:52am est spoke with Terran, GM states no details of any repairs, shows inspected 07/15/2014, unable to assist with repairs due to outside of timeframe. My…

  • ODI #11690585 · Filed

    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

  • ODI #11681368 · Filed

    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…

Read all 161 complaints

Owner-reported

2013 Cadillac ATS mileage at failure

124 of the 161 complaints on file for the 2013 Cadillac ATS give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
EngineMedian 5,000 milesMiddle half 500–30,000 milesBased on 42 complaints
Electrical SystemMedian 40,000 milesMiddle half 2,000–60,000 milesBased on 30 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

Rear Defogger Coil Antenna Module may Overheat

NHTSA #15V558000 · Visibility — Defroster/Defogger/HVAC System · NHTSA notice

Reported September 3, 2015 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 96,145 vehicles

Repair completion: 98.11% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 15299 · Owners notified October 16, 2015 · Vehicles built April 23, 2012 – June 7, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Power Operated Roof Panel/FMVSS 118

NHTSA #15V463000 · Visibility — Sun/Moon Roof Assembly · NHTSA notice

Reported July 24, 2015 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 63,665 vehicles

Repair completion: 95.7% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 15568 · Owners notified August 19, 2015 · Vehicles built April 25, 2012 – June 7, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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."

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Seat Belts may not Remain Retracted Under Load

NHTSA #14V488000 · Seat Belts — Front · NHTSA notice

Reported August 8, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 48,114 vehicles

Repair completion: 93.37% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14171 · Owners notified November 20, 2014 · Vehicles built April 23, 2012 – May 1, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 extend when pulled upon.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 when remedy parts are available. The recall began on November 20, 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14171.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Front Seats may not Remain Anchored in Vehicle

NHTSA #14V446000 · Seats · NHTSA notice

Reported July 23, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 124,007 vehicles

Repair completion: 94.98% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14340 · Owners notified August 15, 2014 · Vehicles built April 23, 2012 – June 7, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Transmission Shift Cable Detachment/Rollaway Risk

NHTSA #14V338000 · Power Train — Automatic Transmission · NHTSA notice

Reported June 19, 2014 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 90,750 vehicles

Repair completion: 97.9% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 14179 · Owners notified August 29, 2014 · Vehicles built April 23, 2012 – June 7, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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 Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14179.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Brake Lights Flashing Intermittently/FMVSS 108

NHTSA #13V220000 · Electrical System · NHTSA notice

Reported May 24, 2013 · General Motors LLC

Potentially affected: 10,210 vehicles

Repair completion: 94.62% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Manufacturer campaign 13158 · Owners notified June 13, 2013 · Vehicles built April 26, 2013 – May 13, 2013 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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 that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Cadillac ATS model years

Check your 2013 Cadillac ATS VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Cadillac ATS at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Cadillac VIN