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ProblemsByVin File / 2013-CADILLAC-ATS
2013 · cadillac

cadillac ATS problems

1 safety recall. 160 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
40 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
steering
25 reports · avg $700
moderate
electrical
23 reports · avg $850
moderate
engine
23 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
airbags
6 reports · avg $1,100
severe
lighting
5 reports · avg $250
moderate
brakes
4 reports · avg $450
moderate
suspension
4 reports · avg $900
moderate

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2013 ATS · engine
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING TO HER PARENTS HOUSE GOING UP A INCLINE AND THE VEHICLE COULDN'T PULL THE HILL SLOWED DOWN TO APPROX. 20MPH BUMPED AND SHOOK AS IT WENT UP THE HILL. WHEN SHE GOT OUT OF THE CAR AT HER PARENTS HOUSE YOU COULD SMELL SOMETHING LIKE BURNT TRANSMISSION OR…
12/23/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10668068.0
2013 ATS · powertrain
CRUISING DOWN A HILL PROBABLY IN NEUTRAL, CAR STALLED SILENTLY WITH NO BUCKING OR NOISE, JUST DIED. NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO START THE CAR WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. AFTER EASILY 15 ATTEMPTS AND APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES THE CAR STARTED BUT WAS WITH FAMILY, AT NIGHT ON DARK TWISTY AND…
12/23/2013 · NHTSA ODI #10557080.0
2013 ATS · powertrain
My Vehicle will shift out of gear but will not move and there is a rattling sound when the gear is tried to be put back in park and rest of gears
12/19/2024 · NHTSA ODI #11631694.0
2013 ATS · steering
I HAVE TWO ISSUES TO REPORT THAT MAY BE A SAFETY CONCERN: 1) THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES WHEN DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS (RAIN/SNOW) WHERE I WILL GET A 'POWER STEERING FAILURE' WARNING. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE POWER STEERING DOES ONE OF TWO THINGS. IT EITHER ALMOST LOCKS UP…
12/11/2013 · NHTSA ODI #10555555.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 14V488000 08/08/2014

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to March 1, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to May 1, 2013

If the seat belts do not remain locked in the retracted position when under load, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front the driver's and the passenger's lap belt pretensioners, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. GM sent interim notifications on October 7, 2014 and will send a second notification when remedy parts are available. The recall began on November 20, 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14171.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Cadillac ATS reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 160 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Cadillac ATS is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2013 Cadillac ATS?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 40 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Cadillac ATS has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Cadillac ATS?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 160 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 11 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with cadillac. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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