Transport CanadaHigh Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts attaching the electric power steering motor to the steering gear may corrode and break, causing loss of power steering assist.
What the fix does
This page covers 13 recalls, 160 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2013 Cadillac ATS.
21–26 mpg combined
9–11.2 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 8 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Complaints about the 2013 Cadillac ATS cluster most heavily around the powertrain and engine. On the transmission side, owners frequently describe shuddering during acceleration, hesitation, and what feels like incorrect gear selection or early shifts, symptoms that point to torque converter clutch behavior. Engine complaints are nearly as common, with multiple owners reporting metal contamination in the oil and eventual engine failure, often at under 100,000 miles. Overheating shows up as well, with some owners describing coolant loss and the air conditioning cutting out automatically as the temperature climbs. Steering rounds out the top three, where owners report sudden loss of electric power steering accompanied by loud noises; at least some of these cases involve corroded mounting hardware that allowed the steering motor to detach.
160
Total Complaints
9
Crash-Related
7
With Injuries
By System
The 2013 Cadillac ATS has 13 recalls, the most serious being a fire risk from the rear defogger's antenna module, which can overheat inside the driver-side rear pillar, and a transmission shift cable that can detach and leave the driver unable to select gears or engage park.
On the restraint side, front seatbelt pretensioners can deploy in a crash but fail to lock in place, allowing the belt to go slack when it should be holding the occupant. A separate issue affects the front seat frames themselves, where an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket can allow the seat to shift or break free in a crash. The electric power steering motor is attached to the steering gear by bolts that can corrode and snap, causing a sudden increase in steering effort, particularly at low speeds. There are also two electrical concerns: brake lights can flash on their own without the pedal being pressed, which can confuse drivers behind the vehicle, and on sunroof-equipped models, the roof panel can close automatically when the switch is brushed accidentally, raising the risk of injury to hands or fingers caught in the opening.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts attaching the electric power steering motor to the steering gear may corrode and break, causing loss of power steering assist.
What the fix does
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Dealer will replace the bolts and apply protective wax coating. If bolts are too corroded to remove, the steering gear will be replaced.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
In vehicles in heavy winter salt areas, bolts attaching the power steering motor to the steering gear corrode and break, causing loss of power steering assist and increased steering effort.
What the fix does
Dealers replace the mounting bolts and apply corrosion protection coating. If bolts cannot be removed, they install a replacement steering gear.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The coil antenna module powering the rear defogger in the driver side rear pillar can overheat during excessive or continuous cycling, potentially causing a fire inside the pillar.
What the fix does
Software update to the climate control module disables automatic rear defogger activation on manual or remote start, and removes continuous operation mode on 2013 models.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The coil antenna module powering the rear defogger can overheat due to excessive or continuous cycling.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the climate control module to disable the automatic rear defogger function at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The roof panel may close unexpectedly when you press the non-recessed switches while the roof is open.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the roof console accessory switch trim plate at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The sunroof may close automatically when you press the slide or tilt switch while the roof is open, instead of remaining open as expected. This can happen unintentionally and increase injury risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the roof console switch trim plate to prevent unintended automatic closure.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The sunroof may close automatically when you press the slide or tilt switch while the roof is open, which violates safety standards. This unintended closure could happen more easily than intended, risking injury.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the roof console switch trim plate to prevent unintended automatic closure.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seatbelt pretensioners may retract during a crash but fail to stay locked in the retracted position, allowing the belt to loosen and reduce crash protection.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the affected pretensioners with new units that function properly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The lap belt pretensioner cables may fail to lock in the retracted position, allowing seat belts to extend excessively when pulled.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace both front lap belt pretensioners at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
An incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket can allow front seats to shift or become unsecured during a crash or other high-load impact.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket weld and replace the lower seat track as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The shift cable connecting your shifter to the transmission may not be fully seated. If it detaches, you won't be able to change gears or put the transmission in Park, risking the vehicle rolling away.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the shift cable and make sure it is fully seated at both the transmission and shifter bracket.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The transmission shift cable can come loose and detach from its brackets on either the transmission shifter or the transmission itself.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect your vehicle to confirm the cable is properly seated and secured at both brackets.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Brake lights may flash on and off by themselves without the driver pressing the brake pedal, confusing drivers behind you about your actual braking.
What the fix does
Dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module to fix the brake light flashing issue.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
