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Cadillac Ats power steering loss problems

19 of the 384 owner complaints about the Cadillac Ats describe loss of power steering, most of them for the 2013 model year.

owner complaints
19
worst model year
2013
typical mileage
24,271
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2018
    1
  • 2017
    3
  • 2016
    1
  • 2015
    3
  • 2014
    2
  • 2013
    9

Often reported together

Loss of power 10Stalling 3Check engine light 1

Trouble codes mentioned

C0545 1

What owners say

Filed Oct 14, 2026 · Steering · KS

My 2017 Cadillac ATS had the Electric Power Steering failed and I found a recall for the same year make and model went to the dealer and they said my vin isn't part of that recall but this vehicle has 49K miles and there was no reason it failed. They need to expand the recall.

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 May 5, 2025 · Steering · CA

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing intermittent loss of power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to Auto Repair Garage, where a routine inspection was performed, and the contact was informed that no failure was found. The contact stated that the failure progressively increased. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system screen was frozen. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 25V175000 (Steering). An appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

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 Dec 5, 2022 · Steering · 49,500 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact decelerated and pulled into the driveway of a business. However, the contact was able to park on the side of the driveway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering gear motor bolts were fractured. Additionally, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the failure was associated with GM Campaign Number: N202301950 (Loss of Power Assist, Steering-Gear Motor Bolts Broken). The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall as the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 49,500.

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 Jan 4, 2022 · Steering · MA

The contact’s son owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while his son was exiting his driveway, the vehicle lost power steering assist with the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the bolts holding the steering motor had corroded and fallen out of the rack and pinion. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle; the dealer referred him to the manufacturer for assistance. The contact immediately called the manufacturer and was informed that there was a warranty on the vehicle for the rack and pinion; however, the vehicle no longer qualified under the warranty. The contact’s son had the vehicle repaired by an independent mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

Filed Nov 1, 2020 · Steering · 27,500 miles · OK

The vehicle has an issue with loss of power steering. It has happened and returned but it gone out totally now and I believe it should be part of the cadillac power steering recall, but my VIN is not listed as vehicle that is affected.

Filed Aug 3, 2020 · Steering · 24,271 miles · IN

No power steering cluster warning says service power steering drive with care

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.

Related recalls

Steering: electric power assist systemReported March 20, 2025 · 934 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
Risk
A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1‑800‑333‑4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1‑800‑222‑1020. GM's number for this recall is N252497020.

Recall number 25V175000 · Recall details

Steering: electric power assist systemReported February 7, 2019 · 26,772 vehicles affected
What is wrong
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail.
Risk
Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. GM' number for this recall is N182182760.

Recall number 19V086000 · Recall details

Questions about the Cadillac Ats power steering loss

Which Cadillac Ats years have loss of power steering problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2013 (9 complaints), 2015 (3 complaints) and 2017 (3 complaints).

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