2014 Cadillac Ats problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (24) · Electrical System (10) · Steering (8)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Cadillac Ats model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
76 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System 2015-09-03 · campaign 15V558000 · 96,145 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2015-07-24 · campaign 15V463000 · 63,665 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seats 2014-07-23 · campaign 14V446000 · 124,007 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2014-06-19 · campaign 14V338000 · 90,750 vehicles
Defect: 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 i
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (1,990)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-08 · PIP4902U · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,990 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-08-24 · Power Train“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 deal…”
2026-08-17 · Power Train“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 be…”
2026-05-28 · Electrical System“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.…”
2025-09-27 · Power Train“vehicle transmission shift cable failed. this part is considered recalled, but gm is refusing to fix. …”
2025-08-28 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 128,555 mi“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.…”
2024-11-26 · Steering · 172,000 mi“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…”
2024-08-18 · Air Bags“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…”
2024-05-22 · Power Train“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 nee…”
2024-05-13 · Power Train“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 cu…”
2024-03-05 · Power Train“my engine rpm would randomly lock to 4000 rpms while driving, i could rev the car or apply the brakes but it will sit their until it decides to respond. this has happened a few times and mostly down hill and flats. difficult to replicate. cooling system has been a plague at around 80k miles i've had to replace a clamp at the back near the water ou…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.