In August 2026, at approximately 99,639 miles, my 2014 Cadillac ATS was taken to an authorized Cadillac dealership for service. During the inspection, the dealership discovered and diagnosed a leaking right rear axle shaft seal. I was not aware of the leak beforehand and did not receive a warning light or message indicating the condition. The dealership’s written repair order states that the right rear axle shaft seal was leaking and that the right rear axle seal was replaced. The repair was completed at my expense. I have the dealership repair order and invoice documenting the diagnosis, mileage, parts replaced, and repair. After the repair, I researched this issue and found other the federal safety agency consumer complaints involving rear axle/differential seal leakage on 2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles. I also found GM manufacturer communications addressing rear axle leakage on certain Cadillac ATS vehicles. I am reporting this failure so the federal safety agency has a record of another rear axle seal leak involving a Cadillac ATS and can determine whether this condition may represent a broader defect or safety trend. I do not know the specific underlying cause of the seal failure and am not asserting that it has been established as the same cause as any other reported vehicle. The failed seal was replaced by the dealership. Documentation of the diagnosis and repair is available upon request.
The worst 2014 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.
- Transmission30
- Electrical18
- Engine15
- Steering10
- Airbags7
- Driver assistance5
- Suspension5
- Visibility5
- Wheels5
- Acceleration3
- Tires3
- Body2
- Brakes2
- Fuel system2
- Lights2
- Seats2
- Seat belts1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2014 Cadillac Ats
Recalls 4
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
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
Technical service bulletins for the 2014 Cadillac Ats 1,991
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...
2014 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 |
2014 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 | 29-30 | 23-24 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 20 | 29 | 23 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | RWD | 18 | 27 | 22 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | AWD | 18 | 26 | 21 |
What 2014 Cadillac Ats owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My 2014 Cadillac ATS experienced a transmission shift cable/linkage failure. After driving normally, I pulled into my garage and moved the shifter to Park. The physical shifter was in Park, but the instrument cluster continued to indicate Drive (D). The vehicle would not recognize Park, the shifter became stuck, and the vehicle would not restart because the transmission was still being detected as being in Drive. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Cadillac dealership for diagnosis. The dealership confirmed that the range selector lever cable had detached from the shift shaft. Their written diagnosis states that the plastic retainers securing the cable failed, causing the shifter to show the wrong drive mode. The dealer recommended replacement of the range selector lever cable. I later learned that this vehicle was previously subject to GM Safety Recall 14179 / the federal safety agency Recall 14V‑338 concerning the automatic transmission shift cable. GM records show the recall was completed in 2014 through inspection; I was informed that no replacement part was installed at that time because none was required. I am reporting this because the vehicle has now experienced a shift cable/linkage detachment that appears similar to the failure condition addressed by that recall. This created a safety concern because the physical shifter position did not correspond with the transmission gear indicated/engaged, and the vehicle could not reliably be placed in Park. The vehicle and failed condition have been inspected and documented by an authorized Cadillac dealership. Dealer documentation and video of the diagnosis are available.
service rear view camera message on randomly and then the camera goes blank. Independent service center diagnostic scan reported: FAULT B127B Rearview camera input signal circuit missing reference (Symptom 2B) - History DTC.
Vehicle transmission shift cable failed. This part is considered recalled, but GM is refusing to fix.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Cadillac ATS. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase of the vehicle. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 83,000. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 128,555.
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the "Power Steering Fault Drive with Care" message was displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle became difficult to maneuver. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the residence. The contact researched and was became aware of an undisclosed recall; however, the VIN was not included. A dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 172,000.
My airbag system light has been on now for over two years. My exact vehicle the prior year and after has had a recalled and mine has been missed. GMC wants 2000.00 to replace my airbag situation and my car only has 66000 miles on it for god sakes. Please have my model vin on recall list so my passengers will be safe. This is the second time I have emailed you and no response was given yet. Please recall my airbags.
Rear differential issue
I was driving the car and trying to put the car in park at the stop light. The car shifter moved, but the shifter wasn't going into any other gear. The shifter moves forward and back, but nothing happens. I almost got in an accident and my dad had to help me park the car. I saw this is a past recall issue and I called Cadillac and they stated I needed to tow my vehicle there and there are no open recalls, so it will be out of pocket. They can't even see my car until the 31st at the soonest. I could've been seriously injured or injured someone else.
After routine maintenance (oil change) at Cadillac of Knoxville on 5/7/2024, I was notified that my rear differential was leaking. After I arrived back home, upon further research, I found that this was a common problem for this make and model of car and that there was a recall for Cadillac ATS' manufactured between 2013-2016. After calling GM's customer service line, the representative expressed that my VIN did not register under the specific recall and therefore would not qualify for a replacement rear differential. This is a problem in which can total my vehicle, though no problems besides the leak have occurred as of my knowledge. There was no indication before the oil change on 5/7 of a leak, no warning lamps or other telling signs. If I had not brought my vehicle for its routine maintenance, I would not be aware of the situation.
Compare the 2014 Cadillac Ats
Other model years
Questions about the 2014 Cadillac Ats
Is the 2014 Cadillac Ats reliable?
Owners have filed 104 complaints about the 2014 Cadillac Ats, 3.3 times a typical Ats model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2014 Cadillac Ats year score?
The 2014 Cadillac Ats scores 29 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 2014 Cadillac Ats?
Transmission and drivetrain, with 30 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles. Next is electrical (18).
How many recalls does the 2014 Cadillac Ats have?
4 recalls, covering visibility, seats and power train.
Is the 2014 Cadillac Ats safe in a crash?
In government crash tests the 2014 Cadillac Ats scored 5 out of 5 stars overall, depending on body style and drivetrain (2 versions tested).
Was there a recall on the 2014 Cadillac Ats transmission?
Yes, 1 recall: 14V338000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Cadillac Ats have bad transmission?
The Cadillac Ats model years with the most transmission complaints are 2013 (46 complaints), 2014 (30 complaints) and 2016 (10 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2014 Cadillac Ats get?
Official estimates for the 2014 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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