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 something. This has happened on two other occasions and the 1st instance Cadillac dealer said the computer to the transmission…
2013 Cadillac ATS engine problems
moderate 23 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
23
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 23 engine complaints filed for the 2013 Cadillac ATS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Cadillac ATS with 2.0L and 2.5L engines shows persistent stalling, rough idle, and overheating problems that dealers struggle to fix. Multiple owners report dangerous stall events at intersections and highway speeds; buy only if you accept risk of sudden engine shutdowns and have a trusted independent mechanic who specializes in GM engine controls.
Engine stalling is the dominant complaint across 2013 ATS models with both automatic and manual transmissions. Owners report sudden shutdowns during deceleration, at traffic lights, and while coasting to a stop—sometimes at 30–70 mph on interstates. Power steering and brake assist vanish when the engine cuts out, creating hazardous situations. One owner narrowly avoided being rear-ended by an 18-wheeler. Dealerships have reprogrammed the ECM repeatedly with limited success; Cadillac developed a software fix modifying flywheel protection logic, though no formal recall appears in these narratives.
Rough idle and excessive engine shaking at stops plague many units from new. Dealers dismiss it as normal ATS behavior or blame liquid motor mounts, offering no repair despite three software update attempts on one vehicle. GM reportedly told one owner shaking is normal and unfixable.
Overheating episodes appear at mid to high mileage. Water pump replacement and thermostat service have failed to resolve recurrence. One dealer diagnosed a faulty engine requiring replacement at 83,600 miles.
Oil leaks—particularly from the timing cover gasket—surface early (47,000 miles reported as common) and present seizure risk on highway. An owner in China reported oil leaks in approximately 90 percent of surveyed vehicles at minimal mileage. Metal shavings discovered in oil required engine replacement under service contract at under 100,000 miles.
Failure modes owners describe
Engine stalling during deceleration and stop
Engine shuts down unexpectedly when slowing down, coasting to a stop, or while stopped at traffic lights. Vehicle must be restarted. Occurs with both automatic and manual transmissions. Loss of power steering and brake assist reported with some incidents.
When: Primarily at low speeds or complete stops; some incidents at 30-70 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Abrupt engine shutdown while decelerating or coasting; Loss of power steering when stalled; Loss of power brake assist; Engine will not idle or idles below 500 RPM before stalling; DIC displays power steering service message prior to stall
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (no specific codes retrieved by dealers), Driver's assist warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Software/ECM reprogramming attempted by dealers; one owner reports Cadillac developed software fix modifying flywheel protection logic to eliminate stalling
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Software fix documented (narrative #18); GM reportedly aware per owners; no official recall mentioned in narratives
Rough idle and engine shaking at stop
Engine vibrates excessively or runs rough while idling, especially at traffic lights. Present from new on some vehicles. Dealers initially dismiss as normal or attribute to liquid motor mounts. Issue persists despite attempts to address it.
When: At traffic lights and complete stops; some present immediately after purchase; some worsens after recall software updates
Symptoms owners cite: Visible shaking/vibration while idling at stop; Rough idle quality throughout vehicle operation; Shuddering at warm-up in cold weather; Persists despite multiple visits
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (inconsistently triggered), No codes retrieved on several instances
Repairs/costs cited: ECM reprogramming attempted; dealers state no computer codes present to guide repair; one owner reports GM applied software updates three times on recall
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM advised one owner engine shaking is normal and cannot be fixed; dealer network dismisses as not a common occurrence or characteristic of ATS models
Engine overheating
Engine temperature rises to unsafe levels while driving. AC auto-shutoff activates in response. Coolant and oil leaks reported. Water pump replacement performed on at least one vehicle but problem recurred.
When: At 52,000 miles (thermostat repair), 83,664 miles (coolant/oil leak diagnosis), undisclosed mileage (post-water pump repair)
Symptoms owners cite: Engine overheating warning display; AC independently turned off by system; Coolant reservoir empty; Continued overheating after coolant added; Stability track and engine warning lights illuminated and flashing; Failure to accelerate above 25 mph accompanying overheating
Codes mentioned: Engine overheating message, Stability track warning light, Engine warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Water pump replacement (recurred); thermostat replacement attempted at 52,000 miles (failure recurred); one dealer diagnosed faulty engine requiring replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Thermostat repair performed by dealer; no recall or service bulletin mentioned
Misfire and loss of power during acceleration
Engine misfires extensively while driving, accompanied by warning lights and severe loss of power. Vehicle unable to maintain speed or accelerate above low thresholds.
When: At undisclosed speed on a previous occasion at 191,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of accelerating ability; cannot exceed 25 mph; Stability track warning light flashing; Engine warning light flashing; Sudden loss of speed on interstate
Codes mentioned: Over 40,000 misfires recorded (independent mechanic diagnosis)
Repairs/costs cited: Independent mechanic diagnosed misfires; not repaired per narrative
Oil leaks from timing cover gasket
Timing cover gasket leaks oil; reported as very common problem among 2013 ATS 2.0L owners. Significant oil loss creates risk of engine seizure on highway.
When: At 47,000 miles; early mileage common per owner reports
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaking from timing cover gasket; Massive oil loss possible; Risk of engine seizure during highway driving
Repairs/costs cited: Owner indicates this is a well-known common problem; no repair costs cited
Oil leakage at engine (early and widespread)
Engine leaks oil from unknown location(s). Reported as widespread issue in Chinese market forum affecting approximately 90% of owners surveyed. Appears at very low mileage.
When: At approximately 400 km (248 miles); early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leakage from engine; Multiple owners experiencing same symptom; Unknown potential safety hazard per owner concern
Repairs/costs cited: No repair information provided; dealers unable to offer support per narrative
Metal shavings in engine oil
Metal particles found in engine oil indicating internal engine wear or damage. Engine required replacement under service contract.
When: Under 100,000 miles; discovered after 13 service visits to three different dealerships
Symptoms owners cite: Metal shavings present in oil
Repairs/costs cited: Engine replacement performed under service contract
Faulty catalytic converter
Catalytic converter failure triggering check engine light. Vehicle outside warranty at failure point.
When: At 103,200 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine warning light illuminated
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; warranty expired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer informed owner vehicle outside warranty period
Synthesized from 23 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Engine idles roughly. I have only used premium gas during fillups. The dealership says it's because I'm not using top tier gas, which is ridiculous. How can an engine's fuel system be that sensitive because one gas is missing some detergents per count in comparison. My ECM needs to be reprogrammed to compensate for this. It seemed to start shaking after I got it back from the dealership that…
When coasting to a stop light, or a stop sign, the car will occasionally stall for no reason. I drive a stick shift, and will move the shifter into neutral as I am coming to a stop, and on multiple occasions, the car has just stalled out and I lose all power steering and electronic brake assistance, which makes stopping the car more difficult. This issue has also occurred a few times when…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ats. When the vehicle came to a complete stop, it seized without warning. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but it failed to start. The contact had to wait approximately thirty minutes for the vehicle to return to normal. The vehicle was taken to oakes auto group (1009 us-82, greenville, ms 38701, (662) 335-2886), but was not diagnosed or repaired.…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2013 Cadillac ATS?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 23 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 15 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 12,112 and 83,664 miles, with the median around 38,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 12,112; a quarter make it past 83,664. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.