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Cadillac Ats check engine light comes on

13 of the 384 owner complaints about the Cadillac Ats describe check engine light, most of them for the 2013 model year.

owner complaints
13
worst model year
2013
typical mileage
61,100
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

What owners say

Filed Dec 22, 2025 · Electrical · 33,527 miles · NJ

The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the mechanic determined that the F-module, Part Number: 86815664, used to control the engine Auto START/STOP, needed to be replaced. The dealer was contacted for the part and informed the contact that the part was not available. The contact had contacted approximately 6 dealers, who confirmed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 33,527.

Filed Mar 3, 2025 · Engine · 191,000 miles · FL

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.

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 Feb 28, 2021 · Transmission · 63,000 miles · TX

Check engine light came on 2.5.21. Took it to the dealer and it needed a hose and sensor which was fixed. On the multipoint inspection,it was noted that there is a safety issue. The rear differential was leaking which can cause the tires to seize while driving. The car only has 63k miles on it. It is a 2013 cadillac ats turbo.the manufacturer's warranty expired and they will not cover the replacement.however, I did find a recall on the cts model. I also see a large amount of complaints on the ats model, as well. The dealer quoted me $5k to replace the differential with only a 1 year warranty. I believe this is a result of poor quality and craftmanship and that there should be a recall on the ats models, as well. The fact that they only offer a 1 year warranty is also concerning. This would reflect they know of the issue, and will only cover it for the shortest amount possible.

Filed Jan 29, 2021 · Engine · 103,200 miles · HI

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.

Filed Oct 5, 2020 · Transmission · 42,182 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2014 cadillac ats. The contact stated that the vehicle was shifted into park however, the shifter failed to engage properly as the vehicle rolled backwards. The contact had to apply the parking brakes for the vehicle to stop rolling. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to petro nissan (6248 us-98, hattiesburg, ms 39402) and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed by an authorized cadillac dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v338000 (power train) as a possible solution to the failure however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the federal safety agency for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 42,180.

Filed Aug 10, 2020 · Brakes · 90,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2015 cadillac ats. The contact stated that the brakes became inoperable and failed to stop the vehicle when the brake pedal was depressed. The brake assist and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who replaced the brakes three weeks prior however, the failure recurred. The contact inquired about a recall. The contact was informed that there was no recalls associated with the VIN. The contact called valdosta cadillac located at 3685 inner perimeter rd, valdosta, ga 31602, and was informed to bring the vehicle in for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Jun 9, 2020 · Engine, Transmission · AZ

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 .

Filed Jan 20, 2020 · Transmission · 124,000 miles · GA

I took my car in for service on january 8, 2020 to southtowne gmc in newnan,ga . I was having problems with what appeared to be the transmission. I told the service person my car was taking a little time once I put it in drive mode. The service gentleman took a han held device and placed it under the dashboard of the vehicle and told me it was not detecting a problem. He checked the dashboard and noticed the check engine light was not on. I told him I wanted a diagnostic test done, he said since it was not detecting a problem it does no good to do a diagnostic. He never informed me about problems with transmission with this model vehicle. He told me there was nothing he could do, that he was swamped with repairs and that if I wanted him to check my transmission I would have to come back in march. I was able to drive the car away. One week later the car barely moves. Barely goes into gear. I have not driven the car since january 15, 2020. Can I get some help please.

Filed Jan 16, 2020 · Fuel system · 61,100 miles · WA

Driving on highway approximately 70mph. Vehicle suddenly bucked twice, a few seconds later a check engine light appeared and reduced power appeared in the message center. The vehicle started to slow its speed. I had three miles until next off ramp. Vehicle continued to slow as I got it off he highway. Once off the highway I pulled over and the vehicle stalled. I noticed fuel gauge was reading empty, before problem was approx. 1/4 tank. Vehicle know had a heavy fuel smell. I had vehicle towed home. The following day I investigated the problem. ( I am a professional mechanic with over 30 years of experience. ) the fuel gauge read empty and vehicle would not start. I added approx. 1 gallon of fuel and tried to start the vehicle. Gasoline immediately poured from a fuel line at the rear of the engine. I removed the engine cover and noticed the high pressure fuel pump was loose from the engine. I checked the supply fuel line and it was very loose or broken. Realizing damage was comprehensive and should be covered under warranty I towed car to dealership for repair. The dealership was very uncooperative and charged me for the replacement of a broken fuel line. I asked the dealership to investigate why the pump came loose from the cylinder head. They said it just happens and it was retorqued to factory specs. That vehicle was not test driven after repairs were made, I was told it was but it had no gas registering on the gauge and the mileage had not changed from time of drop off. I picked up vehicle from dealership, put a half a tank of fuel in vehicle at the closest fuel station and drove it home cautiously. I will not be driving vehicle again until I get more answers. I believe a serious fire is possible if the fuel line breaks again very lucky it did not happen the first time because of the fuel pump coming loose from the engine.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Cadillac Ats check engine light

Why does the check engine light come on in the Cadillac Ats?

Owners who report it most often also describe engine stalls while driving, misfire or rough idle and sudden loss of power.

Which Cadillac Ats years have check engine light problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2013 (6 complaints), 2014 (5 complaints) and 2015 (1 complaints).

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