Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
ProblemsByVinFile / 2015-CADILLAC-ATSNHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Cadillac
2015 Cadillac ATS problems
The 2015 Cadillac ATS has 1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 29 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
The 2015 Cadillac ATS has 29 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is steering at 6 complaints, typically surfacing around 49,650 miles (~$700 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
1
Critical
3
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2015 ATS?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
4 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2015 Cadillac ATS? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
steering — 6 owner reports
· tends to show around 49,650 mi · ~$700 to fix
brakes — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 93,417 mi · ~$450 to fix
electrical — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 88,000 mi · ~$850 to fix
lighting — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 36,000 mi · ~$250 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: steering is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 49,650 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
powertrain (~$2,500) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Embed this reliability snapshot
Free to use on your site, post, or video — just keep the "Source" credit line below the chart. Preview the widget →
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2015 ATS· steering
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, there was a clicking sound coming from the vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard; however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The contact activated the parking brake, and the…
Started vehicle and went in reserve. Their was no response from the brakes as I pressed on the brake pedal, the vehicle continued to move rearward. I had to apply hard pressure to stop the vehicle. Brake pedal barely moves as I press it. Hard to stop vehicle.
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact decelerated and pulled into the driveway of a business. However, the contact was able to…
Had a problem with your 2015 Cadillac ATS?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles
An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N262555870. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Cadillac ATS sedan vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to September 2, 2015
If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electronic Climate Control module to remove the automatic rear defogger "on" function, free of charge. The recall began on October 16, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15299.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to June 25, 2015
Because the switch is not recessed, the roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed resulting in unintended auto-closure of the roof panel, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the roof console accessory switch trim plate, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15568. Note this recall supersedes 15V-106.
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 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.
Should you avoid the 2015 Cadillac ATS?
The 2015 Cadillac ATS is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2015 Cadillac ATS?
Inspect the steering first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 6 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 49,650 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2015 Cadillac ATS a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 29 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is steering. Typical failure occurs around 49,650 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2015 Cadillac ATS?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is steering, with 6 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 49,650 miles. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The steering is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $700 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 49,650 miles. 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 2015 Cadillac ATS?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 29 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $700, 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 are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Cadillac/ATS.
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.
