2016 Cadillac ATS: complaints, problems and recalls

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC ATS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT PLACED A MOBILE PHONE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (HENNESSY CADILLAC LOCATED AT 3377 SATELLITE BLVD, DULUTH, GA 30096; [phone removed]) WHO STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A REMEDY FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000. UPDATED 08/30/17*LJ

Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11004850 at NHTSA ↗

TIRES SPLIT AND BUBBLE EASILY

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11045915 at NHTSA ↗

THE TOUCH SCREEN DOES NOT WORK. IT MOVES BY ITSELF AND EVEN WHEN WE SELECT AN OPTION IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT. IT IS A SCARY AS WE CANNOT RECEIVE PHONE CALLS AND IT IS A CONSTANT DISTRACTION WHERE THE WHOLE MENU IS NOT WORKING. WE HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER A COUPLE OF TIMES AND I ALSO KEPT A MESSAGE FOR THE MANAGER ON FRIDAY (SEPTEMBER 28TH). HE NEVER REPLIED BACK. WE HAVE A FEW VIDEOS THAT SHOW THE TOUCH SCREEN IS NOT WORKING (IT WORKS A FEW TIMES). THE PROBLEM OCCURS MORE WHEN IT IS WARM WEATHER. MANY OTHER FOLKS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE…

Owner-reported narrative. 38,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11132982 at NHTSA ↗

VEHICLE TENDS TO DO A HARD DOWN SHIFT WHEN IT'S AROUND 10-15 MPH AND IT WILL FEEL LIKE SOMEONE HIT YOUR CAR FROM BEHIND. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP 10-15 MPH VEHICLE WILL STALL SOMETIMES.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11206974 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC ATS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE LOUD NOISES AND DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RED NOLAND CADILLAC [phone removed], LOCATED AT 990 MOTOR CITY DR, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80905) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO ONE AVAILABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO ALPINE BUICK GMC SOUTH [phone removed], LOCATED AT 1313 MOTOR CITY DR, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80905) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE INSPECTED RIGHT AWA…

Owner-reported narrative. 16,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11219748 at NHTSA ↗

TAKEN MULTIPLE TIMES TO DEALER FOR TRANSMISSION ISSUES. GM HAS REPLACED IT AT 17475 MILES. MORE TRIPS FOR ISSUES WITH NEW TRANSMISSION. IMPROPER SHIFTING, HARD DOWN SHIFTING, HOLDING RPM GEAR LONGER THAN NORMAL.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11246431 at NHTSA ↗

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC ATS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR ACHES AND PAINS THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CADILLAC OF SANTA FE [phone removed], LOCATED AT 4450 CERRILLOS RD, SANTA FE, NM 87507) THE PREVIOUS DAY FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND …

Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11255000 at NHTSA ↗

ALL 4 RIMS ARE CRACKING AND CAUSING AIR TO LEAK FROM THE TIRES. CANNON CADILLAC IN LAKELAND FL., HAS STATED THESE RIMS ARE A FACTORY DEFECT, BUT HAVE DENIED THE CLAIM TO REPLACE ALL THE RIMS WITH AN ACTIVE 2 YEAR WARRANTY STILL IN EFFECT. I ONLY NOTICED THIS PROBLEM ONCE I HAD JUST PURCHASED A NEW TIRE AND SEEN THAT THE AIR PRESSURE WAS LOW ON THE TIRE. ONCE I TOOK MY CAR TO THE TIRE SHOP, THE TIRE TECHS INFORMED ME THE RIMS WHERE DEFECTIVE, AT THAT MOMENT I MADE A APPOINTMENT AT CANNON CADILLAC. THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT RESOLVED

Owner-reported narrative. 39,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11281720 at NHTSA ↗

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.

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.

Reported: 2026-05-21 (May 21, 2026)

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.

Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N262555870. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026.