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 and becomes extremely hard to turn the wheel, or it will still move easily, but it won't auto center when making turns.…
2013 Cadillac ATS steering problems
moderate 25 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
25
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 25 steering 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
Of the 6 model years of Cadillac ATS we track for steering problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 25.
Owners have filed 25 steering complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Cadillac ATS has a well-documented history of power steering failures, most critically complete loss of assist mid-drive due to corroded motor bolts or electrical failures. Repairs cost around $3,000, and GM's service program expired in 2020, leaving newer buyers exposed to expensive, uncovered repairs.
The 2013 Cadillac ATS steering system has generated 25 complaints centered on power steering failures. The most dangerous failure is complete loss of assist while driving — some owners lose steering control on highways at 70 mph, in heavy traffic, or while pulling out of parking spaces. Power steering simply stops working with no warning; a dashboard message appears saying "Service Power Steering, Drive with Care" or "Steering Assist, Take Care." Owners report the wheel becomes impossible to turn or, in some cases, locks solid. Power steering usually returns after an engine restart, but this delay creates hazardous situations.
Several owners traced the root cause to corroded bolts on the electronic power steering motor; one owner had a bolt missing entirely and two bolts sheared in their holes. This failure pattern matches GM's Customer Satisfaction Program 18207, issued to address exactly this defect. However, that program expired November 30, 2020 — owners who experience the failure after that date must pay repair costs themselves, estimated around $3,000.
A secondary but serious issue is random engine stalling while driving or stopped, which silences the engine so quietly owners barely notice it. Since the ATS uses electric steering, a stalled engine means instant loss of both power steering and brakes. This has happened 6-10 times to one owner in three months; another narrowly avoided a crash when it occurred while merging onto a highway.
Dealers frequently cannot replicate intermittent steering or stalling problems during test drives and often tell owners the vehicle meets design specifications or dismiss warnings as software glitches.
Same Cadillac ATS steering reports on nearby years: 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Loss of Power Steering / Assist Failure
Complete loss of power steering assist or sudden inability to turn the steering wheel, requiring the driver to push hard on the wheel or pull the vehicle to safety. Owners report the power steering simply stops working mid-drive, with a 'Service Power Steering' or 'Steering Assist, Take Care' warning appearing on the instrument cluster. Affects steering control at highway speeds and during parking maneuvers.
When: Various mileages reported: 11,100 miles, 40,000 miles, and undisclosed higher mileages. Occurs unpredictably during turns, parking lot exits, or highway driving.
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering assist or extreme difficulty turning steering wheel; 'Service Power Steering' or 'Steering Assist, Take Care' warning message on dashboard; Steering wheel may lock up or become extremely hard to turn; Loss of power steering without warning mid-drive; Power steering recovers after engine restart
Codes mentioned: C0545 (Steering Wheel Torque Sensor Fault)
Repairs/costs cited: GM CSP 18207 covers steering rack inspection and repair/replacement. Repair costs cited as approximately $3,000. Some owners report corroded bolts on the electronic power steering motor that need replacement; entire electric power steering rack and pinion assembly replacement required in some cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: General Motors issued Customer Satisfaction Program (CSP) 18207 – Loss of Power Steering Assist directive for steering rack inspection and repair/replacement. Program expired November 30, 2020, and owners outside the program window are not covered. Dealers unable to replicate intermittent issues on test drives. Some dealership service advisors state the issue is a glitch when it persists after restart.
Steering Wheel Lag / Sluggish Response
Steering response feels slow or sluggish; wheel does not respond immediately to driver input. Owners describe the steering as feeling unresponsive or delayed, particularly when making sharp turns. May accompany power steering warning messages.
When: Timing not specified in narratives.
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel feels sluggish or slow to respond to input; Delayed steering response when turning; Over-steering or difficulty correcting course
Steering Wheel Vibration / Locking During Turns
Steering wheel vibrates or locks up when turning fully to one side, often to the left. Owners report a shaking or vibration in the wheel combined with a warning message to drive with care. Dealers have attempted diagnostics but often find no fault or reset the computer without resolving the issue.
When: Ongoing since 2013 (original purchase date).
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibrates when turned fully to the left; Steering wheel may lock or partially lock during turns; 'Service Power Steering' warning appears on dashboard; 'Please Drive with Care' message appears
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers pulled one code on occasion and reset the computer, but the issue remained unresolved.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Cadillac told one owner that since there is no recall, it is safe to drive the car despite the persistent warning and symptom.
Power Steering Failure During Wet Weather / Sensor Issues
Power steering warning and loss of assist specifically during rain or snow. Owners report the steering angle sensor may be implicated; dealer replaced one owner's steering angle sensor, but the issue persisted and worsened in winter conditions.
When: Recurring during wet or snowy driving conditions.
Symptoms owners cite: Power steering failure warning in rain or snow; Steering becomes extremely hard to turn or does not auto-center after turns; Issue worsens with winter weather
Repairs/costs cited: Steering angle sensor replaced on one vehicle without resolving the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer initially diagnosed as bad steering angle sensor; replacement did not resolve the problem.
Engine Stall with Loss of Steering and Braking
Vehicle shuts off quietly and unexpectedly while driving or at a stop, causing complete loss of power steering and power brakes. Because steering is electrically powered, the stall immediately disables steering control. Engine restarts immediately after, and power steering returns. Owners report the stall is silent and difficult to detect while driving.
When: 6-10 occurrences in 3 months for one owner; 3 separate incidents for another owner. Occurs at stops, during lane changes, and while merging onto highways.
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle shuts off without warning while driving or stopped; Complete loss of power steering when engine cuts; Complete loss of power brakes when engine cuts; Engine restarts immediately; Stall is silent and not easily detected by driver; Service Power Steering warning may appear after restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer serviced steering controller per technical service bulletin (TSB) but could not replicate the random stalling issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer suggested the electrical system may have glitched and recommended restarting the vehicle after 30 seconds. Advised towing vehicle in if problem persists. Served TSB for steering controller.
Corroded Steering Motor Bolts
Bolts securing the electronic power steering motor corrode and fail, causing the motor to fall out of place. One bolt found completely missing and two others found sheared and broken in their casting holes. This is the failure mode explicitly covered under GM CSP 18207.
When: Timing of failure not specified; one owner affected after November 30, 2020 (outside CSP 18207 window).
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of power steering; Loud noise from steering system; Steering motor loose or fallen from position
Repairs/costs cited: Requires replacement of entire electric power steering rack and pinion assembly. Repair cost estimated at $3,000.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM CSP 18207 – Loss of Power Steering Assist directive issued for steering rack inspection and repair/replacement. Program expired November 30, 2020. Owners experiencing the failure after the expiration date are not covered and told it is their responsibility to pay for repairs. Program was issued as a service bulletin rather than a formal recall.
Synthesized from 25 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
While decelerating to make various turns or stop at an intersection the vehicle shuts off with no warning. Also the steering and brakes become hard. On one occasion while merging onto the highway it occurred again, almost causing me to crash into a vehicle then lose control. *tr
When taking a corner the car appeared to over steer. At first I thought it was me so I went to turn the wheel to correct it and it felt sluggish for lack of a better word. Almost instantly after that a warning came up on the dash that indicated something like "service power steering, please drive safely". The warning occurred two more times in a matter of a couple miles but I did not really…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2013 Cadillac ATS?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 25 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 19 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 3,920 and 37,000 miles, with the median around 16,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 3,920; a quarter make it past 37,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.