Car Record Book

2016 Cadillac ATS recalls & problems

The 2016 Cadillac ATS has 3 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (10 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints32filed by owners
Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints
2016 Cadillac ATS in an NHTSA crash test
2016 Cadillac ATS in an NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 26V329000 · May 21, 2026 · 5,014 vehicles

Problem: 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.

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

Fix: 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.

Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system

NHTSA recall 15V558000 · Sep 3, 2015 · 96,145 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.

Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA recall 15V463000 · Jul 24, 2015 · 63,665 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.

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

2016 Cadillac ATS NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2016 Cadillac ATS NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

2016 Cadillac ATS 2DR AWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2016 Cadillac ATS 2DR RWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2016 Cadillac ATS 4 DR AWD

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

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2016 Cadillac ATS 4 DR RWD

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

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

2016 Cadillac ATS V-Series 2DR RWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crashNot Rated
Side crashNot Rated
RolloverNot Rated

Forward collision warning: Optional · Lane departure warning: Optional

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 (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

ATS AWD

25mpg combined
City / highway22 / 30 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel

ATS

25mpg combined
City / highway22 / 31 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel

ATS

24mpg combined
City / highway20 / 29 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

ATS

23mpg combined
City / highway20 / 28 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

ATS AWD

22mpg combined
City / highway19 / 27 mpg
FuelRegular Gasoline

3.6 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/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*
Power train
1010124,000 mi
Electrical system
6000—
Air bags
5102—
Wheels
400035,000 mi
Steering
4101—
Engine
3000—
Unknown or other
2000—
Vehicle speed control
2101—
Service brakes
2000—
Visibility/wiper
2000—
Tires
1000—
Engine and engine cooling
Exhaust system
1001—

*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.