This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Cadillac ATS brakes problems
moderate Owners of the 2013 Cadillac ATS have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the brakes at roughly $450 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
4
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
| Model year | brakes complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 ATS (this page) | 4 |
| 2015 ATS | 3 |
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This bulletin provides information on possible normal brake drag caused by the vehicle parked for an extended period of time.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This Preliminary information communicates that when removing the fuel line jumper hose care should be taken to be sure the line is reinstalled correctly to avoid a no/low fuel pressure situation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides a procedure to correct a condition of Brake Squeal or Squeak Noise Intermittently on Initial Brake Applies.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The brake and gas pedal are so close together that when braking in heavy traffic it is possible to depress the gas pedal while braking resulting in an engine surge condition. This only happens in bumper to bumper traffic or when stopping at a traffic light. *tr
Had brakes trouble with your 2013 Cadillac ATS?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2013 Cadillac ATS?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 4 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 13,400 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Cadillac/ATS.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.