2013 Cadillac Ats: loss of power steering

Filed Aug 18, 2025 · Electrical, Steering · NJ

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.

Filed Jan 4, 2025 · Steering · NH

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.

Filed Jul 7, 2022 · Engine · 52,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed May 15, 2019 · Steering · 40,000 miles · WA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 cadillac ats. While operating the vehicle, the power steering failed. In addition, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and 'steering assist, take care' appeared on the instrument panel. The contact had to push the vehicle to a safe location. The contact restarted the engine and drove home safely. The vehicle was taken to mccurley integrity cadillac (1325 north autoplex way, pasco, wa 99301, (509) 544-6200) to be diagnosed, but the test could not read the codes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.

Filed Feb 13, 2016 · Engine, Steering · 29,081 miles · OH

Driving on 71 in columbus oh to mansfield oh going 70 MPH on highway and at ex 173 started snowing heavy, traffic came to hault at 10 MPH, had .09 miles to exit, got to exit made a right off exit started up a hill in snow at 30 MPH and before making it up the hill the car stopped in middle of one lane rd. And display said ...no power steering... Called 911 three times, waited outside in snow for hr and half for them to tow car to bill harris auto 419‑289‑2000 in ashland oh five mi down rd. Next day they couldnt duplicate the problem so they couldnt fix it. I told them I dont feel safe in car and that I could have died if going any faster, it stopped without any warning. He said he would give me $10 thous towards another vehicle when car is worth $20,500. In my excellent shape. I said why is it only worth that, he said becuase I said it wasnt safe to drive and that he couldnt sell a car if it wasnt safe. This isnt my fault for the power steering to go out, there are 15 complaints online at www.2013atscadillacpowersteeringproblems. Why isnt there a recall? I want something done about this, I have escalated claim to gm and want gm to do a repurchase or a buy back. I shouldnt feel danger when I get in my car. [xxx] please contact me at [xxx]address is [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 28, 2015 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 9,800 miles · CA · crash

Cadillac ats 2013 continues to stall and turn off causing loss of steering of vehicle. This has been in the shop 4 times for repair, and vehicle has still been stalling.

Filed Apr 3, 2014 · Engine · 12,112 miles · FL

2013 cadillac ats 6mt stalls when decelerating with an ensuing loss of power steering. Cadillac has come up with a software fix for this issue. Software written to protect the flywheel was modified to eliminate this problem.

Filed Dec 11, 2013 · Brakes, Electrical · 3,500 miles · NY

I have two issues to report that may be a safety concern: 1) there have been multiple times when driving in wet conditions (rain/snow) where I will get a 'power steering failure' warning. When this happens the power steering does one of two things. It either almost locks up and becomes extremely hard to turn the wheel, or it will still move easily, but it won't auto center when making turns. I have reported this to the dealer and they said it was a bad steering angle sensor. They replaced the sensor but the issue is not resolved and now that it's snowing it's happening more and more consistently. 2) there have been 3 cases where I was driving and coming to a stop and the car will just randomly shut down. I lose all ability to steer (since it's electric steering) and brake. This stall is different then a stall associated misuse of the clutch. The clutch has been pressed in all the way in when this happens and the car doesn't shutter like a clutch stall, just totally shuts down quietly. Luckily there has not been an accident yet, but if this happens when there are multiple cars around me it will be difficulty to avoid one.

Filed Jan 14, 2013 · Steering · 1,000 miles · MI

While turning into a parking lot experienced loss of power steering. Message in the dic indicated "service power steering, drive with care". Upon restart of engine the power steering began to work again. Dealer saw c0545 steering wheel torque sensor fault, dealer notes indicate that the connector was checked and was ok. Also checked ebcm software, which was up to date. Nothing further was done, no parts updated or replaced. I received the same dic message ~4 times in the past 3 weeks without the loss of power steering prior to this event which prompted a visit to the dealer.