74 of the 556 complaints filed about the Cadillac ATS are about the engine — 13% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2013.
74
Complaints
13%
Share of all complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
ENGINE
Fuel and/or combustion problem leading to excessive emissions at unpredictable times. I mean so much smoke suddenly comes out that the driver behind can't see, and it seems the car may be on fire.
NHTSA complaint #11733655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Found metal shavings in oil after 13 visits to 3 different dealerships. Engine had to be replaced. Under 100,000 mikes with a service contract
NHTSA complaint #11664360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle became difficult to maneuver, with the service power steering message displayed. In addition, the contact stated there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle functioned normally. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint #11647373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the engine overheated. The contact stated that the A/c was independently turned off due to engine overheating. The contact was able to pull over safely. The contact stated that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant, but the engine continued overheating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the stability track and engine warning lights illuminated and started flashing. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 25 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the same independent mechanic, who determined that the engine had misfired over 40,000 times. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 191,000.
NHTSA complaint #11645927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I’m writing here to state that the Cadillac with this VIN [XXX] IS A FRAUDULENT SALE my husband and I have experienced. The car show no damages on CarFax but when we took the car to a certified Cadillac dealership they said they were shocked we could even drive it. The catalytic Converter is completely missing along with several other computer systems issues. The car jumps up and down when you drive it, feels like horseback riding more than a car ride. Cadillac denied working on the car and advised us not to drive it at all Every single warning light that could be on the dash/odometer lit up approx 5mins of being on the highway. Throw the car in the junkyard where it belongs! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11644330 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
My engine RPM would randomly lock to 4000 rpms while driving, i could rev the car or apply the brakes but it will sit their until it decides to respond. This has happened a few times and mostly down hill and flats. Difficult to replicate. Cooling system has been a plague at around 80k miles i've had to replace a clamp at the back near the water outlet flange which i was quoted $2000 for just the labor alone as the engine would need to be removed.And the water pump failed at around 82000 miles. Also plagued with P06DE "Engine Oil Pressure Control Circuit Stuck On" error code a few times now.
NHTSA complaint #11575648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
Transmission drags. When stopping the car jerks bad and sometimes proceeds to accelerate. When at a stop auto start has a hard jerk I reported this problem to Cadillac dealership when I first got the car. They claim they couldn't find an issue. The touch pad goes out frequently.
NHTSA complaint #11575697 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
My air bag light randomly appeared and has been on for at about year now the dealership wants me to pay a ridiculous amount of money for all of these safety hazards including to fix my “airbag sensor” when I have never used the airbags. I am the one and only owner of the car which I purchased directly from the Ed Morse bayview Cadillac dealership. Faulty airbags and or sensors are a huge safety hazard. I need to know my airbags are working correctly as well as the sensors not only for my safety but as well as my child. My car has recently been diagnosed with serious transmission problems which include a vibration at 50 mph shuddering erratically and frequently to the point it is scary to drive. the transmission going out could cause me to get into an accident or be stuck in the road and put into danger which is another safety hazard. Lastly, The electric CUE screen is supposed to be used for safety for many reasons which include hands-free directions when you are lost and can use gps without having to use your phone while driving. You need the CUE screen to be able to access the radio for alerts and warnings. You need the CUE screen to able to use your phone hands-free to prevent accidents. The CUE screen is defective. The screens they use cannot withstand the heat and they sell you the car knowing the screens don’t last and will crack and no longer have the touch screen ability to control or use any of the features for our safety.
NHTSA complaint #11566405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic light or while slowing to approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and idling roughly. The contact stated that the check engine and driver’s assist warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that the motive power was reduced and the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the power steering failed to function as needed. The contact arrived at her destination and after restarting the vehicle, the power steering functionality returned. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed that the thermostat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.
NHTSA complaint #11472813 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,200.
NHTSA complaint #11390690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WHILE ARRIVING AT STOP LIGHTS THE CADDILLAC ROUGHLY SHIFTS DOWN JOLTING THE WHOLE VEHICLE. AROUND 1500 RPMS WHETHER ITS SITTING OR JUST PASSING 1500 RPMS THE WHOLE VEHICLE SHUTTERS AND VIBRATES AGGRESIVELY UNTIL AROUND 2000 RPM. RPMS JUMP UP AND DOWN BETWEEN 1000 AND 3000 RPMS
NHTSA complaint #11383582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR STARTED TO MOVE LIKE IT WAS GOING TO QUIT ON ME, I GET MY CAR SERVICED FREQUENTLY AND HAVE REPLACED THE SPARKPLUGS AND COIL, CHANGED ALL THE GASKETS, AND I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE STABILITITRACK LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR DID NOT WANT TO WORK AS IT SHOULD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.
NHTSA complaint #11339389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THERE WAS A SHUDDER TO THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION AND IT LURCHES FORWARD LIKE IT SKIPS GEARS WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE AND OFTEN FROM INCREASE SPEED
NHTSA complaint #11337876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
THE ENGINE STOPPED ITSELF WHEN I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. AFTER A FEW MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO START THE ENGINE AGAIN. IT DID THIS THREE TIMES IN THE SPACE OF AN HOUR. ALWAYS AT A COMPLETE STOP.
NHTSA complaint #11337683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TIMING COVER IS LEAKING OIL FROM THE GASKET WHICH IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO OTHER 2013 ATS 2.0 OWNERS. AND WHEN IT LEAKS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL LIKE IT DOES THE ENGINE CAN SEIZE UP ON THE HIGHWAY COULD AND CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 47,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11330474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWED A 2014 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS GIRLFRIEND WAS DRIVING 55 MPH AND HE WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE HOOD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS WERE ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE SAFELY BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOTAL LOT AS IT WAS DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,500.
NHTSA complaint #11329729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
I?M REALLY UPSET MY CAR WHEN I GOT IT HAD 92,000 MILES FIRST WEEK I GOT IT START TO SHUTTER THEN STALL WHILE AT STOP AND SHUT OFF OR DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THEN JUST STALL AND LOOSE PIER AND SHUT OFF VERY UNSAFE AND I FEEL SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR I TOOK IT TO SO MANY SHOP AND THEY ALL CAN?T FIND THE ISSUE ON WHY IT STALLING AND SHUTTING OFF TOLD CADILLAC DEALER THEY SAID IT NEEDED UPDATE GUESS WHAT DID UPDATE AND GUESS WHAT STILL HAPPENING I'VE DONE ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE CHANGE SPARK PLUGS KEEP UP ON OIL. CHANGE AND ETC STILL STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND AT COMPLETE STOP IT NOT SAFE CAR TO DRIVE IT JUST STALLS AND TURN OFF TOOK IT TO CADILLAC STILL NOTHING NOW IT BACK IN SHOP FOR THE 14 TIME WITH CADILLAC GILBERT AZ TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIND THE ISSUE AND THE FIX I THINK THIS IS GM CADILLAC ISSUE WITH THE COMPUTER THAT CAUSING MY CAR GO INTO SOME TYPE SAFE MODE AND MAKE THE CAR STALL AND SHUTTER THEN TURN OFF BUT WHEN IT ON HIGHWAY IT DRIVES FINE THEN STALLS . I?M FOR SURE THIS IS MECHANICAL ISSUE THAT HAS TO DO WITH SOMETHING CADILLAC DID AND THEY NEED BE RESPONSIBLE WITH THIS ISSUE EVERYONE TELLS ME GO DEALER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIKE CODES THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE ONLY CADILLAC WELL CADILLAC MAKES NO SINCE I THINK MY COMPUTER SYSTEM IS MAKING THE CAR GO INTO SOME TYPE SAFE MODE AND SHUT OFF I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND IT CRAZY AND UNSAFE I'VE REPORTED THIS TO HIGHWAY SAFETY BOARD AND BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND OTHER PLACES THIS DOESN'T MAKE SINCE YOU GUYS NEED PROVIDE SOLUTION FOR THIS ISSUE .
NHTSA complaint #11328076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
54,189 MILES ON CAR CURRENTLY. SINCE JUNE OF 2019 MY CAR/ENGINE WILL COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AT A RED LIGHT, OR A COMING TO A STOP SIGN (BASICALLY COMPLETELY STOPPED OR COMING TO A STOP). ITS EVEN SHUT OFF WHILE IN REVERSE. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, THE GEAR IS STILL IN DRIVE. SO I THEN HAVE TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK,PRESS THE BRAKE AND START IT AGAIN. IT SPUTTERS TO START AGAIN, BUT IT STARTS. ITS GETTING MORE FREQUENT, WITH IT STOPPING UP TO 3 TIMES AT ONE STOP LIGHT, AND THEN HAVING TO RESTART IT AGAIN. THERE ARE NO CODES ON THE DASH. IVE BROUGHT MY CAR INTO CREST CADILLAC MULTIPLE TIMES TO TRY AND DIAGNOSE THIS ISSUE. THEY CANNOT FIND THE ROOT CAUSE, AND IT STILL HAPPENING MOST RECENTLY TODAY! THERE IS A NEW BATTERY, ALTERNATOR TESTING IN GOOD CONDITION. THEY HAVE TESTED THE BATTERY CABLES/LINES. THIS IS INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING. MY CAR HAS STOPPED ON ME WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND TURN INTO A LANE AND I WAS ALMOST HIT BC MY ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I ALSO CALLED GM AND WAS TOLD WITHOUT A DIAGNOSIS THEY CANT HELP. IVE SPENT SO MUCH MONEY ON DIAGNOSTIC TESTS WITH NO ANSWERS. I NEED HELP PLEASE
NHTSA complaint #11321517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
CAR WON'T DRIVE PAST 40MPH WITHOUT SERIOUS SHAKING AND VIBRATIONS. HAVE HAD THE CAR TOWED MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAD MULTIPLE THINGS FIXED WITH THE VEHICLE BUT STILL HAVE MAJOR CAN'T DRIVE THE CAR PAST 40MPH. LAST ESTIMATE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. 4-5K TO REPAIR. CADILLAC TOLD ME IT WAS THE COIL RODS WHICH THEY REPLACED. BROUGHT IT BACK AND I WAS TOLD IT WAS A PIPE THAT WAS CRACKED GOING TO THE ENGINE. STILL HAVE SAME PROBLEM. HAD THE TIRES AND ALIGNMENT CHECKED. THEY SAID IT WAS TRANSMISSION. BROUGHT TO ANOTHER PLACE THEY THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE ENGINE. ISSUE ARE ON THE HIGHWAY WITH SPEEDS OVER 40MPH.
NHTSA complaint #11308616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS. WHEN THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, IT SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT HAD TO WAIT APPROXIMATELY THIRTY MINUTES FOR THE VEHICLE TO RETURN TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO OAKES AUTO GROUP (1009 US-82, GREENVILLE, MS 38701, (662) 335-2886), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TEST DRIVEN, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,400.
NHTSA complaint #11281537 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.