the federal safety agency: 14V338 Date Issued: 2014-06-18 Transmission shifter cable detach from Transmission. Vehicle will not change gears. Contacted GM 10/22/26 9:52am est spoke with Terran, GM states no details of any repairs, shows inspected 07/15/2014, unable to assist with repairs due to outside of timeframe. My research shows no timeframe or milage limits for this specific recall. GM has done no repairs for this recall.
The worst 2013 Cadillac Ats problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine49
- Transmission46
- Electrical36
- Steering25
- Brakes17
- Acceleration10
- Airbags9
- Lights7
- Driver assistance5
- Fuel system5
- Suspension5
- Wheels5
- Visibility4
- Seat belts3
- Seats3
- Tires3
Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Cadillac Ats
Stalling 28Power steering loss 9Check engine light 6Loss of power 6
Recalls 6
Visibility: defroster/defogger/HVAC system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 15V558000 · Recall details
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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 number 15V463000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 14V488000 · Recall details
Seats
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 14V446000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 14V338000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: brake lights
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 13V220000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2013 Cadillac Ats 2,402
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- Unknown or other
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- Unknown or other
- This PI communicates a procedure to clean oil leaking from the rain sensor.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities.
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced...
2013 Cadillac Ats crash test ratings
Government 5-star crash tests. Higher is safer. Each row is a body style and drivetrain that was tested.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac ATS 4 DR AWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Cadillac ATS 4 DR RWD | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
2013 Cadillac Ats fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 4‑cyl | RWD | 22 | 32 | 26 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | RWD | 19-21 | 29-31 | 23-24 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 20 | 29 | 23 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | RWD | 19 | 27 | 22 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | AWD | 18 | 26 | 21 |
What 2013 Cadillac Ats owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I was in a vehicle accident on 9-26-25 and was t-boned. The other driver hit me at 35-45 after she blew the stopping, I was hit on the driver side pillar and back driver door. My air bags never deployed and I was trapped inside the car until the fire department was on scene
Vehicle would not steer lost power steering and loud noise. Had the vehicle towed to a mechanic. The mechanic informed me that the bolts for the electronic power steering had corroded causing the electronic steering motor to fall. He told me that it is a problem with these cars and gave me a reference number (N202301950) I called GM and they said it was not a recall it was a service bulletin which I never received and is now expired. The vehicle needs a whole new Electric Power Steering Rack and Pinion Assembly due to the faulty corroded GM Bolts not to mention that I could have died or someone else could have been killed due to losing the ability to steer the vehicle because of the faulty GM parts. GM said it is my responsibility to pay for repairs which is thousands of dollars again due to their faulty parts and no fault of my own also not normal wear and tear.
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
Air bag lights came on.
Car has a shudder at acceleration acting as if it's in the wrong gear or shifts too soon seems like failing TCC in tge transmission not sure this issue could cause accidents due to car not accelerating fast enough with people behind you they could rear end you
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.
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)
Car keeps cutting off, when put in neutral, or just cutting on RPM goes up then goes down and cut off, when driving car starts off slow then speed up. put a new fuel pump in the car.
I had a total loss of steering about two weeks ago, scariest thing ever in my 50 years of driving. A local automotive shop inspected the car and found one steering motor bolt missing and two broken/sheared laying in their casting holes.General Motors issued a Customer Satisfaction Program 18207 – Loss of Power Steering Assist directive for steering rack inspection and repair and/or replacement. My 2013 Cadillac ATS had the bolt failure exactly as described in the directive but is not covered as the directive program was in effect until November 30, 2020 and has expired. It was and is still a poor engineering design by GM engineering and it still effects those of us operating the models listed in GM CSP 18207. This should have been a recall and not have had an end date of 11/30/2020. I'm sure there are many owners like myself that were never notified by General Motors of this design flaw as it was never a formal recall. I would ask that the federal safety agency review Customer Satisfaction Program 18207 as the loss of electric steering due to poor engineering design along with the safety of owners driving the affected vehicles still poses a danger and could seriously injure or kill someone. I do not understand why GM ended the program 11/30/2020. I would like to see either a CSP 18207 with no end date or preferably a recall to ensure owners are notified. I had never heard of an issue with my 2013 Cadillac ATS steering until I had this total steering failure. I only found out about Customer Satisfaction Program 18207 – Loss of Power Steering Assist because I searched the Web to see if other owners had experienced this failure. The repair cost to fix this is around $3,000 dollars. General Motors knows it was a poor design and in my opinion they should continue their 18207 Customer Satisfaction Program and not expect owners to pay. Thank you.
Compare the 2013 Cadillac Ats
Other model years
Questions about the 2013 Cadillac Ats
Is the 2013 Cadillac Ats reliable?
Owners have filed 161 complaints about the 2013 Cadillac Ats, 5.0 times a typical Ats model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2013 Cadillac Ats year score?
The 2013 Cadillac Ats scores 13 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Cadillac Ats: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Cadillac Ats?
Engine and cooling, with 49 complaints, typically around 6,536 miles. Next is transmission (46).
How many recalls does the 2013 Cadillac Ats have?
6 recalls, covering visibility, seat belts and seats.
Is the 2013 Cadillac Ats safe in a crash?
In government crash tests the 2013 Cadillac Ats scored 5 out of 5 stars overall, depending on body style and drivetrain (2 versions tested).
What year does the Cadillac Ats have bad engine?
The Cadillac Ats model years with the most engine complaints are 2013 (49 complaints) and 2014 (15 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2013 Cadillac Ats get?
Official estimates for the 2013 Cadillac Ats range from 21 to 26 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 22 city and 32 highway.
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