Total Complaints
39 filings
CADILLAC ATS · model year
39 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2015CADILLACATS carries 39 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 5/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 5/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2015 ATS is steering with 6 filings, followed by electrical system (6) and power train (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 10 investigation files overlapping the 2015 ATS, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
39 filings
Crashes Reported
3 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| STEERING | 6 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 |
| POWER TRAIN | 5 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 4 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 4 |
| SUSPENSION | 2 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| TIRES:SIDEWALL | 1 |
| EQUIPMENT | 1 |
| AIR BAGS | 1 |
| AIR BAGS:SENSOR:OCCUPANT CLASSIFICATION:FRONT PASSENGER | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 1 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 1 |
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
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
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles. The affected vehicles have a bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the brakes that may fracture during normal brake pedal operation.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
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
I bought my car from a dealership. Owned it for 2yrs 2mo. 107k miles First issue came up after 3-4 months. Faulty power steering. Took it to service at a dealership they said I would need my wire harness assembly replaced as well as a steering gear. Problem still persists. Also one of the mechanics there showed me that the previous owner glued harness connector components together which is why I started seeing issues that weren't there before. Now today three new warning/service lights: abs, brake warning and traction control lights. I think it is the battery but I haven't tested it. Someone online with the same issue said he had to replace the electronic brake control module. So this issue has not been diagnosed. As a result of the traction control malfunctioning suddenly I spun out on the highway in slippery conditions but did not collide with anything. Both issues are available for inspection. More information can be found on the quote in the attatchment.
I bought my car from a dealership. Owned it for 2yrs 2mo. 107k miles First issue came up after 3-4 months. Faulty power steering. Took it to service at a dealership they said I would need my wire harness assembly replaced as well as a steering gear. Problem still persists. Also one of the mechanics there showed me that the previous owner glued harness connector components together which is why I started seeing issues that weren't there before. Now today three new warning/service lights: abs, brake warning and traction control lights. I think it is the battery but I haven't tested it. Someone online with the same issue said he had to replace the electronic brake control module. So this issue has not been diagnosed. As a result of the traction control malfunctioning suddenly I spun out on the highway in slippery conditions but did not collide with anything. Both issues are available for inspection. More information can be found on the quote in the attatchment.
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS equipped with Firestone Tires, Tire Line: Fire Hawk A5V2, Tire Size: 225/45/R18, DOT Number: 17X4F9J46. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH in rain, the vehicle hydroplaned. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The tire failure mileage was approximately 1,000. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
Mileage: 74,000
We have owned the 2015 ATS Cadillac since August 31, 2016 . The rear glass is blurry when looking back from the front seat. We replaced the rear view mirror thought that was the problem but didnât correct. I checked on the windshield glass. I took these number off the rear glass. GM DOT-376 AS2 M2H3 Trans 70 o/o Min. E6 43R-008011 AGC Automotive 30 B A006450 Tempered GS.I have a picture showing the above Info. Taken from the rear glassâ¦..
We have owned the 2015 ATS Cadillac since August 31, 2016 . The rear glass is blurry when looking back from the front seat. We replaced the rear view mirror thought that was the problem but didnât correct. I checked on the windshield glass. I took these number off the rear glass. GM DOT-376 AS2 M2H3 Trans 70 o/o Min. E6 43R-008011 AGC Automotive 30 B A006450 Tempered GS.I have a picture showing the above Info. Taken from the rear glassâ¦..
The white pearl paint is chippng off everywhere. It started aat the drivers door directly under the rear view mirror. The underside of the trunk deck lid is completely paint free at this point. There are bubbles eroding on the drivers side rear fender area. When a paint meter was used to check the thickneess of the paint - it was disagnosed at a "1'", WHICH IS THE THINNEST possible number on the paint meter. I would like to demand that these parts of my PRISTINE car be repainted at no cost to myself.
The CUE SYSTEM not totally working, and panel plastic is all spider web looking. I view this as a very bad problem( it wonât go to settings), no radio, canât set the clock Not sure on all the problems as I canât get to it to find out.
The CUE SYSTEM not totally working, and panel plastic is all spider web looking. I view this as a very bad problem( it wonât go to settings), no radio, canât set the clock Not sure on all the problems as I canât get to it to find out.
The CUE SYSTEM not totally working, and panel plastic is all spider web looking. I view this as a very bad problem( it wonât go to settings), no radio, canât set the clock Not sure on all the problems as I canât get to it to find out.
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle hesitated to respond as needed. The brake assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump had failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the brake sensors had failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 132,000. The VIN was not available.
Mileage: 132,000
See attached document for complaint
See attached document for complaint
I received a warning message : Right low beam light failure. I took the car to the deal and was quoted a price of $900.00 to replace the light. This is a safety issue and should not cost that much to replace a light. Searching the web, that is an average price for this type of repair???
The cue system screen has become unresponsive due to separation of the glue the system is pretty much the heart of the car everything electrical is controlled thre that screen along with the back up camera
The cue system screen has become unresponsive due to separation of the glue the system is pretty much the heart of the car everything electrical is controlled thre that screen along with the back up camera
My rear differential completely stopped on the freeway, not moving and saying over 100 mph and my car was barely rolling I am extremely lucky that I did not get rear ended because I was very close to that happening, a few cars had swerved to not crash. Luckily I was able to push my car to the exit and get off of the freeway to wait for the flatbed to pick me up. It is available to be inspected itâs just parked until I can get it fixed, the part is $1800 and I have not been able to afford it. I had a mechanic come and look at it and I was told what part it is. There was absolutely no warning lights for this issue.
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, there was a clicking sound coming from the vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard; however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The contact activated the parking brake, and the vehicle was able to stop. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the brake pedal assembly and the rod bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed be being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V203000 (Steering). The failure mileage was 87,000.
Mileage: 87,000
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.
Mileage: 49,500
The CUE screen doesnât work, has spider web on each corner, canât use hands free phone or navigation, the screen wonât change from the taking your eyes off message while driving.
The contactâs 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 contactâs son had the vehicle repaired by an independent mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.
Electronic Brake Module Component Failure
Rear-View Camera Failure
Roof Skin Separation While Driving
IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats
REAR DRIVETRAIN COMPONENT FAILURE
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.