2018 Cadillac ATS: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
21 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
28,899 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 6 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 21 complaints (28.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 9.5% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 9.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 9.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 4.8% |
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 | 6 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module | 1 |
| Air Bags:Srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/Light | 1 |
Power Train: 6; Electrical System: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Steering: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags: 1; Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module: 1; Air Bags:Srs Malfunction Warning Lamp/Light: 1
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 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 15 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2018: 2; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2023: 6; 2024: 3; 2025: 4; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 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 11089720 · 2018-04-23 (April 23, 2018)
WOULD THE DEPT. OF TRANSPORATION BE SO NICE TO TEST VEHICLE LIGHTS AND REMOVE SOME FROM THE ROAD AS THEY ARE CAUSING A LOT OF DEATHS. IF THERE IS SOMETHING BETWEEN A DRIVER & THEM THEY CANNOT BE SEEN. THE WORSE ONE I SEE IS THE NEW CADILLAC WITH 4 OF THE DANGEROUS LIGHTS. THANKS!
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11089720 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11104928 · 2018-07-01 (July 1, 2018)
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11104928 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11325962 · 2020-05-26 (May 26, 2020)
THE SCREEN IS STARTING TO SPIDER CRACK UNDERNEATH THE GLASS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11325962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11343094 · 2020-08-03 (August 3, 2020)
NO POWER STEERING CLUSTER WARNING SAYS SERVICE POWER STEERING DRIVE WITH CARE
Owner-reported narrative. 24,271 miles reported. Look up ODI 11343094 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11440887 · 2021-11-18 (November 18, 2021)
This is the 3rd tire now that I am going to have to replace. PEPE Cadillac replaced the 1st one on 4/21/20 and another one on 6/30/21 and now another one any day. It seems like the tires start bulging off the rim and as per the dealership they are unsafe to drive and need to be replaced. It cost me $276.51 and $274.49 respectively and whatever its going to cost now to replace the 3rd one. First one failed at 10,856 miles, Second one failed at 16,244 miles and now the 3rd one at 19,967 miles. I am attaching the dealership invoices and phot…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440887 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11456480 · 2022-03-13 (March 13, 2022)
Vehicle was involved in a accident all front damage and airbags didn’t deploy
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11456480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11467229 · 2022-06-02 (June 2, 2022)
Transmission shudder noticed between 42 to 48 mph. It appears the transmission is shaking, it seems to be continually shifting between gears in the 42 to 48 mph range.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11467229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11504832 · 2023-02-01 (February 1, 2023)
2018 cadillac ats (most of the cadillac vehicles reported same issue). The transmission fluid is wrong fluid by manufacturer and driving at regular speed all of a sudden it starts shuddering and loses power or slows down at freeway speeds or any local roads. took the car for inspection to a local dealer and they said it is the transmission fluid which has to be upgraded and charged me hundreds of dollars. But how it is not recalled by GM since they sold the cars with wrong transmission fluid which is causing these issues?
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11504832 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V358000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2018-05-31 (May 31, 2018)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Consequence: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V175000 · Steering:Electric Power Assist System
Reported: 2025-03-20 (March 20, 2025)
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
Consequence: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252497020.
NHTSA campaign record ↗