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2013 Cadillac ATS recalls & problems

The 2013 Cadillac ATS has 6 safety recalls and 161 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (48 complaints).

Recalls6safety recalls
Complaints161filed by owners
Crashes · fires9 · 0reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2013 Cadillac ATS in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

VisibilitySep 3, 2015

Defroster/defogger/hvac system

Recall 15V55800096,145 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Fix
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.
VisibilityJul 24, 2015

Sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 15V46300063,665 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Seat beltsAug 8, 2014

Front

Recall 14V48800048,114 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
SeatsJul 23, 2014

Seats

Recall 14V446000124,007 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
Fix
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.
Power trainJun 19, 2014

Automatic transmission

Recall 14V33800090,750 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2013

Brake lights

Recall 13V22000010,210 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
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.
Fix
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.

Components: Exterior lighting › Brake lights; Electrical system

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2013 Cadillac ATS 4 DR AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.1%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2013 Cadillac ATS 4 DR RWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk10.1%

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2013 Cadillac ATS NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2013 Cadillac ATS NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

ATS

26mpg combined
City / highway22 / 32 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

ATS

24mpg combined
City / highway21 / 31 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

ATS AWD

23mpg combined
City / highway20 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

ATS

23mpg combined
City / highway19 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,900/year to fuel

ATS FFV

22mpg combined
City / highway19 / 27 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

ATS

22mpg combined
City / highway19 / 27 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

ATS AWD

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

ATS AWD FFV

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 26 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Engine481006,320 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)4710112,000 mi
Electrical system3600042,500 mi
Steering2500014,000 mi
Unknown or other1730147,500 mi
Service brakes142008,650 mi
Vehicle speed controlCruise control102016,536 mi
Air bagsSrs malfunction warning lamp/light930536,000 mi
Exterior lighting700049,000 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)520145,000 mi
Wheels500142,199 mi
Suspension500083,000 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.