2018 Cadillac Ats problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (7) · Steering (2) · Electrical System (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Cadillac Ats model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Steering:electric Power Assist System 2025-03-20 · campaign 25V175000 · 934 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2018-05-31 · campaign 18V358000 · 895 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
Service bulletins (1,056)
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 2026-09-21 · PIP5700H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
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 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,056 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-08 · Power Train“the vehicle has suffered a severe mechanical failure of the rear differential assembly, rendering it completely undrivable. this mechanical failure is a direct result of a known manufacturer defect documented in general motors technical service bulletin pip5898/pip5898b, regarding misoriented factory side bearing retaining snap rings that block int…”
2026-05-12 · Structure:body“both side mirrors failed. internal components corroded, one almost fell off when driving, the other later became completely detached. failed parts that could have caused a major safety issue if they were to fail during operation. …”
2025-12-22 · Electrical System · 33,527 mi“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 …”
2025-07-11 · Power Train“rear differential. this part will be available after removal. this put me at risk of potentially locking up while driving. according to the dealership, faulkner cadillac, "found rear differential bearings damaged, causing noise in the rear end. the rear differential will need replaced." there were no warning lights, but there was noise - a new, no…”
2025-07-08 · Steering“my vehicle recently started experiencing an issue where the power steering would randomly cut out while i was driving. if i pulled over and shut the car off and then turned it back on the power steering would come back. but sometimes i would have to do this multiple times in a single drive just to keep the power steering on. i know that there is al…”
2025-01-22 · Steering:electric Power Assist System“the power steering will randomly stop working while driving! we have had it in the shop 3 times and they can't find anything! we have replaced alternator, battery and it still isn't fixed! i seen u had a recall on the 16, 17, and some 18s for this issue! we have always bought gms and are very disappointed! could u please! fix this issue on our car!…”
2024-06-26 · Electrical System“the car was parked outside at around 85 degrees. after entering the vehicle and driving with the ac on for a few minutes the cue screen started to crack on the inside like a spider web. this has already been reported in 11576315 and 11325962. but i can't find any manufacturer communication on these. on the internet i found that there is a class act…”
2024-06-05 · Fuel/Propulsion System“while driving started to smell gas. on same day, car stalled at an intersection in a downtown area. i could not start car. had to push car in busy traffic to a safe place and called a tow truck. auto shop i took to said the fuel pump came loose somehow and caused the fuel lines to break causing the fuel leak. had lines repaired. fuel pump was not r…”
2024-03-08 · Unknown Or Other“hi, the cue screen is cracked which makes it no longer handsfree. it cracked in july of 2023 and it's a 2018, purchased in october 2017, the dealer will not fix it, i don't have $1500 to replace it with a one year warranty and it could happen again. i am not eligible for the class action suit which stopped with cars up to 2017. please advise since …”
2023-11-28 · Power Train · 84,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 cadillac ats. the contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal growling sound coming from the vehicle. the contact looked underneath the vehicle, checked the tires, and checked the inside of the vehicle but found no failure. the contact continued to drive the vehicle and heard an abnormal winding…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.