Cadillac ATS Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Cadillac ATS model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2019 drew the fewest (2) and the 2013 the most (160).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Among the fewest complaints |
2 | 0 | Electrical system | — | 19–25 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
21 | 2 | Power train | 5★ | 22–25 |
| 2015 Among the fewest complaints |
29 | 4 | Electrical system | 5★ | 21–25 |
| 2016 | 32 | 3 | Power train | 5★ | 22–26 |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
32 | 2 | Steering | 5★ | 22–26 |
| 2014 Among the most complaints |
104 | 4 | Power train | 5★ | 21–26 |
| 2013 Among the most complaints |
160 | 6 | Engine | 5★ | 21–26 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Cadillac ATS years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2013 Cadillac ATS: 160 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 48 (30%); Power train 45 (28%); Electrical system 36 (23%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 34,750 miles. 6 recall campaigns listed.
2014 Cadillac ATS: 104 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 30 (29%); Electrical system 18 (17%); Engine 14 (13%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 2 fires, 10 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 41,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Cadillac ATS: 32 complaints
Most-reported: Steering 12 (38%); Electrical system 6 (19%); Power train 5 (16%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 2 recall campaigns listed.
The Cadillac ATS years with the fewest complaints
2019 Cadillac ATS: 2 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 1 (50%); Engine 1 (50%); Service brakes 1 (50%).
0 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Cadillac ATS: 21 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 6 (29%); Electrical system 3 (14%); Steering 3 (14%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Cadillac ATS: 29 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 6 (21%); Steering 6 (21%); Power train 5 (17%).
Reports mention 1 crash, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 60,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Cadillac ATS owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2018 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 32 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2016 | 32 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 27,500 |
| 2015 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 60,000 |
| 2014 | 104 | 6 | 2 | 10 | 0 | 41,000 |
| 2013 | 160 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 34,750 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Cadillac ATS recalls
- Front Seats may not Remain Anchored in Vehicle (2013–2014 model years; 124,007 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2014; 14V446000)
- Rear Defogger Coil Antenna Module may Overheat (2013–2016 model years; 96,145 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2015; 15V558000)
- Transmission Shift Cable Detachment/Rollaway Risk (2013–2014 model years; 90,750 vehicles across all models; filed Jun 2014; 14V338000)
- Power Operated Roof Panel/FMVSS 118 (2013–2016 model years; 63,665 vehicles across all models; filed Jul 2015; 15V463000)
- Seat Belts may not Remain Retracted Under Load (2013 model year; 48,114 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2014; 14V488000)
All 11 Cadillac ATS recall campaigns · Cadillac ATS problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Cadillac ATS years FAQ
Which Cadillac ATS year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2019 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Cadillac ATS years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2013, 2014 and 2017 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Cadillac ATS problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (101 of 380 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Cadillac ATS have?
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns covering the Cadillac ATS. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Cadillac ATS recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.