2015 Cadillac ATS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2015 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 29 complaints (20.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 24.1% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 24.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 13.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Steering | 6 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Electrical System: 6; Steering: 6; Power Train: 5; Exterior Lighting: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Air Bags: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Service Brakes: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2015: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 4; 2021: 2; 2022: 4; 2023: 3; 2024: 3; 2025: 3; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10780932 · 2015-10-08 (October 8, 2015)
FIRST IN LINE WHILE STOPPED AT A LEFT-TURN LIGHT ON A CITY STREET. LIGHT TURNED GREEN, BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. MID-WAY THROUGH THE TURN, HEARD A "POP", LOST STEERING CONTROL, AND THE REAR END SPUN CAR INTO THE CURB. KEEP IN MIND THIS IS A 4-WHEEL-DRIVE CAR. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP, THE NOSE OF THE CAR WAS RESTING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE AND WHEEL. THE RIGHT-REAR WHEEL WAS SCRATCHED AND ABRADED ALL AROUND BECAUSE IT WAS STILL SPINNING WHEN IT HIT THE CURB. THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL HAS DAMAGE ONLY ON HALF OF IT BECAUSE IT STOPPED SPINNING WHEN …
Owner-reported narrative. 5,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10780932 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10944422 · 2017-01-11 (January 11, 2017)
THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I AM A RETIRED AIRLINE PILOT WITH 20-20 VISION. THE CITY I LIVE IN DOES NOT HAVE SIDEWALKS AND I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS WITH STREET WALKERS THAT CAN BE EASILY SEEN BY OTHER MAKES AND MODELS. NHTSA RATES THE 2015 CADILLAC ATS WORST HEADLIGHTS ON MID-SIZE CARS. AS A CADILLAC OWNER SINCE 1977, I HAVE BEEN A SATISFIED CUSTOMER UNTIL THIS ATS. WHEN I BOUGHT THE ATS, I ASSUMED IT HAD GOOD STEERING, BRAKES, TIRES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE CONTAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10944422 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11165776 · 2019-01-04 (January 4, 2019)
I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE WHEN I HEARD A NOISE AND REALIZED THAT I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I MOVES THE CAR FORWARD INTO THE PARKING SPACE AGAIN AND A MESSAGE ON THE DISPLAY SCREEN READ TO SERVICE POWER STEERING. UPON MY RESEARCH THE ELECTRICAL MODULE OR MOTOR HAS BEEN KNOW TO STOP WORKING. I WAS NOT DRIVING AND I THANK GOD FOR THAT BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I NOTICED THAT THE 2013 CADILLAC ATS HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL STEERING. THE NHTSA SHOUL…
Owner-reported narrative. 56,699 miles reported. Look up ODI 11165776 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11399147 · 2021-03-04 (March 4, 2021)
ON FEBRUARY 22ND 2021 THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING WAS WET AND THE ENTIRE WIRING HAD COMPLETELY BURNED OUT. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS REPAIRS DONE ON THIS VEHICLE FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED IT TO THE PRESENT DATE.
Owner-reported narrative. 88,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11399147 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11496103 · 2022-12-05 (December 5, 2022)
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact decelerated and pulled into the driveway of a business. However, the contact was able to park on the side of the driveway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering gear motor bolts were fractured. Additionally, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the failure was associated with GM Campaign Number: N202301…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11496103 at NHTSA ↗