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U.S. public vehicle records

2013 Cadillac ATS: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

160 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

33,375 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 124 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 48 of 160 complaints (30.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior3220.0%
Transmission and shifting3119.4%
Engine operation2918.1%
Braking behavior2012.5%
Electrical and battery issues53.1%
Fuel system concerns31.9%

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.

Engine
48
Power Train
41
Electrical System
36
Steering
25
Unknown Or Other
17
Service Brakes
14
Vehicle Speed Control
9
Air Bags
8
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine48
Power Train41
Electrical System36
Steering25
Unknown Or Other17
Service Brakes14
Vehicle Speed Control9
Air Bags8

Engine: 48; Power Train: 41; Electrical System: 36; Steering: 25; Unknown Or Other: 17; Service Brakes: 14; Vehicle Speed Control: 9; Air Bags: 8

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
55
25,000 to 49,999
22
50,000 to 74,999
22
75,000 to 99,999
12
100,000 to 149,999
11
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00055
25,000 to 49,99922
50,000 to 74,99922
75,000 to 99,99912
100,000 to 149,99911
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 55; 25,000 to 49,999: 22; 50,000 to 74,999: 22; 75,000 to 99,999: 12; 100,000 to 149,999: 11; 150,000 and above: 2

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (55). 36 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.

2012
1
2013
23
2014
26
2015
11
2016
12
2017
7
2018
11
2019
16
2020
12
2021
11
2022
7
2023
10
2024
4
2025
9
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20121
201323
201426
201511
201612
20177
201811
201916
202012
202111
20227
202310
20244
20259

2012: 1; 2013: 23; 2014: 26; 2015: 11; 2016: 12; 2017: 7; 2018: 11; 2019: 16; 2020: 12; 2021: 11; 2022: 7; 2023: 10; 2024: 4; 2025: 9

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 32 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 31 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 29 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.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10486378 · 2012-11-28 (November 28, 2012)

WHEN TAKING A CORNER THE CAR APPEARED TO OVER STEER. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS ME SO I WENT TO TURN THE WHEEL TO CORRECT IT AND IT FELT SLUGGISH FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD. ALMOST INSTANTLY AFTER THAT A WARNING CAME UP ON THE DASH THAT INDICATED SOMETHING LIKE "SERVICE POWER STEERING, PLEASE DRIVE SAFELY". THE WARNING OCCURRED TWO MORE TIMES IN A MATTER OF A COUPLE MILES BUT I DID NOT REALLY NOTICE ANY STEERING ISSUES THOSE TIMES. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10486378 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10492962 · 2013-01-14 (January 14, 2013)

WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT EXPERIENCED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. MESSAGE IN THE DIC INDICATED "SERVICE POWER STEERING, DRIVE WITH CARE". UPON RESTART OF ENGINE THE POWER STEERING BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN. DEALER SAW C0545 STEERING WHEEL TORQUE SENSOR FAULT, DEALER NOTES INDICATE THAT THE CONNECTOR WAS CHECKED AND WAS OK. ALSO CHECKED EBCM SOFTWARE, WHICH WAS UP TO DATE. NOTHING FURTHER WAS DONE, NO PARTS UPDATED OR REPLACED. I RECEIVED THE SAME DIC MESSAGE ~4 TIMES IN THE PAST 3 WEEKS WITHOUT THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING PRIOR TO THIS EVENT WHI…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10492962 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10513337 · 2013-05-23 (May 23, 2013)

ROUGH IDLE WHEN IN DRIVE AND STOPPED AT LIGHT (ALWAYS), I DID BRING IT IN FOR SERVICE FOR THE ROUGH IDLE AND DEALERSHIP STATED NOTHING SHOWED UP ON COMPUTER SO THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 20 miles reported. Look up ODI 10513337 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10515762 · 2013-06-07 (June 7, 2013)

2.5 LITER ENGINE AT STOP ENGINE SHAKES FOR NO REASON. AS USUAL TAKE TO DEALER AND CAN'T FIND ISSUE WITHOUT A CODE. NOW AT 2572 MILES STILL SHAKES AND DEALER SAYS THAT ALL ATS DO THIS SO LIVE WITH IT. I SAY THAT THIS ATS BY GM. NEEDS TO TAKE THESE ISSUES SERIOUSLY AS THIS WILL HURT THE SALES OF A REALLY COOL CAR. IS THERE SOMEONE THAT CAN GET THE CEO OF CADILLACS ATTENTION THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE TO PAID OVER 35K. WHEN I HAVE BRAND NEW KIA THAT HAS A 4 CYCL ENGINE WITH NO ISSUES. COME ON GM. LETS GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED I HAVE ALREADY FILE A CO…

Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10515762 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10519834 · 2013-06-14 (June 14, 2013)

RIGHT TURN FROM STOP ONTO MAJOR 6-LANE HIGHWAY; NO POWER TO ENGINE AFTER ENGAGEMENT OF ACCELERATOR; ACTED AS THOUGH NOT IN-DRIVE GEAR; TACHOMETER REVED PAST 6K; FOOT OFF OF PEDAL; TRANSMISSION ENGAGED; VERY SLOW RETURN TO NORMAL OPERATION; EVASIVE ACTION BY OTHER DRIVERS FOLLOWING; NO REPLICATION BY DEALER AFTER 4-DAYS OF TESTING; RETURNED VEHICLE TO OWNER WITHOUT EXPLANATION OF PROBLEM. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 1,050 miles reported. Look up ODI 10519834 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10535892 · 2013-08-17 (August 17, 2013)

I HAVE THE 2013 ATS 2.0 TURBO AND I HAD A FEW ISSUES WITH IT.THE FIRST IS STEERING,SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE POWER FAILURE, ITS THE ONLY NEW CAR I OWNED WHEN THE CAR IS OFF THE WHEEL TURNS COMPLETELY.ALSO PULLS TO RIGHT.OTHER ISSUE I GET BANGING NOISE WHEN PUT IN REVERSE,AND A FEW TIMES SOUNDED LIKE TRANS MAKING RACE NOISE.THE CUE SYSTEM IS A JOKE,WHEN MY TRIAL FOR XM RAN OUT I TRIED TO LISTEN TO FM RDI AND THAT'S A JOKE,I CANT LISTEN TO ONE SONG,THERE'S STATIC EIGHTY PERCENT OF TIMES.OTHER ISSUES RIDE IS HORRIBLE RIDES LIKE A TRANS AM AND SHAKES WH…

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10535892 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10537906 · 2013-08-29 (August 29, 2013)

VEHICLE STALLED QUIETLY WHEN COMING TO STOP WITH VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND/OR CLUTCH DEPRESSED. I SAY QUIETLY BECAUSE I DID NOT HEAR OR FEEL IT SHUT OFF. (DIFFERENT FROM STALLING VEHICLE DUE TO IMPROPER FOOT WORK ON THE CLUTCH) WHEN I WENT TO TURN LEFT I REALIZED IT WAS DEAD. VEHICLE DID RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 - 10 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. MOST RECENTLY THE POWER STEERING RACK FAILED TO TURN BACK ON AT RESTART. DEALER SERVICED STEERING CONTROLLER PER TSB. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE RANDOM STALLING IN A 10 MILE TEST DRIVE AS…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537906 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10547118 · 2013-10-07 (October 7, 2013)

2.5 LITER ENGINE ON MY 2013 CADILLAC ATS SHAKES WHILE SITTING AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. GM UPDATED THE SOFTWARE THREE TIMES ON A RECALL BUT NOW ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE SHAKING IN NORMAL AND THEY CAN DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 63 miles reported. Look up ODI 10547118 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

13V220000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | Electrical System

Reported: 2013-05-24 (May 24, 2013)

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."

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V338000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Reported: 2014-06-19 (June 19, 2014)

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

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V446000 · Seats

Reported: 2014-07-23 (July 23, 2014)

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.

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 (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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
14V488000 · Seat Belts:Front

Reported: 2014-08-08 (August 8, 2014)

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.

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 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V463000 · Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof Assembly

Reported: 2015-07-24 (July 24, 2015)

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."

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. Note this recall supersedes 15V-106.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V558000 · Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System

Reported: 2015-09-03 (September 3, 2015)

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 number for this recall is 15299.

NHTSA campaign record ↗