2014 Cadillac ATS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
104 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
38,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2014 model year. Data snapshot: . 76 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 29 of 104 complaints (27.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 16 | 15.4% |
| Braking behavior | 13 | 12.5% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 10.6% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 2.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 29 |
| Unknown Or Other | 23 |
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Engine | 14 |
| Steering | 10 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Suspension | 5 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 5 |
Power Train: 29; Unknown Or Other: 23; Electrical System: 17; Engine: 14; Steering: 10; Air Bags: 7; Suspension: 5; Visibility/Wiper: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 35 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 15 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 6 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 35; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 15; 75,000 to 99,999: 6; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 3
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (35). 28 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 17 |
| 2016 | 10 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 20 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2014: 8; 2015: 17; 2016: 10; 2017: 2; 2018: 9; 2019: 8; 2020: 20; 2021: 8; 2022: 7; 2023: 3; 2024: 7; 2025: 2; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 16 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 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 10569412 · 2014-03-14 (March 14, 2014)
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT ABOUT 15 TO 20 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THERE WAS A TOTAL SHUT DOWN OF THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE EMERGENCY BLINKERS COULD NOT BE ENGAGED, THE CAR COULD NOT BE SHIFTED. THE CAR WAS TOWED INTO THE SHOP, THE DEALER ADVISED ME THE ENGINE FAILED AND A NEW ENGINE WAS PUT INTO THE CAR BY THE DEALER. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR TWO MONTHS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10569412 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10574967 · 2014-03-26 (March 26, 2014)
I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW ON 1/16/14. ON 2/19/14 THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED A SENSOR ASSEMBLY. ON 3/18/14 THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND THE CAR LOST POWER. THE MILEAGE WAS ABOUT 1,500.. NOW I AM BEING TOLD THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT THE ENGINEERS AT GM ARE LOOKING INTO BUT NO FIX IS IN SIGHT.. THE FIRST TWO TIMES I LOST POWER I WAS IN TOWN BUT IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY IT COULD BE A REAL PROBLEM. I FEEL GM HAS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE HONEST. I AM BE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,020 miles reported. Look up ODI 10574967 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10583389 · 2014-04-17 (April 17, 2014)
THE "CHECK ENGINE" INDICATOR CAME ON, SOON THEREAFTER, "STABILITRAK" AND "ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED" INDICATORS CAME ON. TEN MINUTES LATER, THE CAR SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER 10-15 MINUTES, THE CAR STARTED UP AGAIN WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT STILL ON. CAR WAS REPAIRED AT A CADILLAC DEALERSHIP. SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE ADVISED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO SOLDER SOME WIRES/TERMINALS BEHIND THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL FENDER LINER. A SERVICE BULLETIN (PIE0291B) IDENTIFIED THIS PROBLEM. THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM AROSE IN MID-FEBRUARY…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10583389 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10593365 · 2014-05-22 (May 22, 2014)
THERE HAS BEEN 2 OCCASIONS MY BRAND NEW CAR HAS STALLED AND LOST POWER. BOTH TIMES THE CAR HAS SAT FOR OVER AN HOUR. WHEN I GET INTO VEHICLE IT STARTS UP AND I TAKE OFF. WITHIN A MINUTE THE VEHICLE IS STALLING AND FAILS TO ACCELERATE. EACH TIME I HAVE TAKEN IT INTO CADILLAC AND THEY CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM BECAUSE IT DID NOT REGISTER IN THE COMPUTER SYSTEM NOR DOES A TEST DRIVE DISCOVER PROBLEM. THE REAL CONCERN IS IF I'M CROSSING AN INTERSECTION AND THE VEHICLE STALLS AND I'M IN AN ACCIDENT. I DON'T WANT TO BE A STATISTIC WAITING FOR GM TO FIND T…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,445 miles reported. Look up ODI 10593365 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10608090 · 2014-07-03 (July 3, 2014)
VEHICLE WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON LEVEL ROADS, CAN'T KEEP IT IN A STRAIGHT LINE. DEALER REFUSES TO RECTIFY, SAYS THAT IT IS NORMAL, SINCE THEIR OTHER MODELS ARE THE SAME. IT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE YOU ARE AFRAID TO BLINK AND MAY END UP IN ANOTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC. JUST USING IT FOR CITY TRAFFIC NOW. CURRENT ODOMETER READING 1,600 KM SINCE NEW IN FEBRUARY 2014. HOW SAFE IS THE ELECTRIC STEERING? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10608090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10618283 · 2014-08-01 (August 1, 2014)
I HAVE 2014 ATS CADILLAC 4.0 T ( WITH RUN FLAT TIRES)..WHEN IT RAINS WHILE I'M DRIVING AT SPEED OVER 35 MPH OR HIGHER MY VEHICLE WILL HYDROPLANE BUT WILL JUMP RIGHT BACK BECAUSE OF THE STABILITRAK STABILITY CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS WAS THE MOST TERRIFYING THING TO EXPERIENCE. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND GET MYSELF TOGETHER. I CALLED MY HUSBAND TO INFORM HIM OF THE ISSUE, WHICH HE LATER EXPERIENCED THE SAME FREIGHTING ORDEAL. NO MATTER WHAT DRIVING MODE THE CAR PERFORMS WORSE IN THE RAIN. I LIKE IN MICHIGAN AND IF MY CAR ACTS LIKE IN THE RAIN I'M TERRIF…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10618283 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10640528 · 2014-10-01 (October 1, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CADILLAC ATS. AFTER SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE REVERSED AND THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS UNABLE TO MOVE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,447.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,447 miles reported. Look up ODI 10640528 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10668423 · 2014-12-27 (December 27, 2014)
VEHICLE WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VERY HARD TO KEEP ON ROAD. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON HIGHWAY, THEREFORE IT IS ONLY USED IN CITY AT LOW SPEEDS. AFTER 11 MONTHS IT HAS LESS THAN 3,000 KM ON IT. DEALER SAYS THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, IT IS BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRIC STEERING. ACCORDING TO THEM, ALL THESE MODELS BEHAVE IN THE SAME WAY AND FOR ME TO MONITOR IT. I HAVE MONITORED IT AND IF ANYTHING IT IS GETTING WORSE. IF I DON'T GET ANY HELP FROM THE DEALER I WILL HAVE TO TAKE IT TO A WHEEL ALIGNMENT SPECIALIST, AT MY COST, EVEN IF IT STILL UN…
Owner-reported narrative. 305 miles reported. Look up ODI 10668423 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
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 ↗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 ↗