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ProblemsByVinFile / 2016-CADILLAC-ATSNHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2016 · Cadillac
Cadillac ATS problems
1 critical safety recall on file — the kind NHTSA opens when crashes, fires, or injuries are documented. 33 owner complaints alongside. Read those first.
Reliability score
7.4 / 10
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
1
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 ATS?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average
3 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.
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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2016 ATS· electricalFire
On saturday december 22nd I was going to a car meet. On my way to the meet I was having some electrical issues with my car. The radio and my seats were acting weird. The radio would turn up and down by itself and the heated seats would turn on and off. I got to the meet and…
While arriving at stop lights the caddillac roughly shifts down jolting the whole vehicle. Around 1500 rpms whether its sitting or just passing 1500 rpms the whole vehicle shutters and vibrates aggresively until around 2000 RPM. Rpms jump up and down between 1000 and 3000 rpms
While driving on the freeway, a car was merging into my lane. I quickly turned into the next available lane as it was empty, and when I turned the steering wheel slightly to the left, it overcompensated and violently turned the steering wheel to the left, leading to the car…
My 2016 Cadillac ATS Coupe has a serious repeating safety defect. The vehicle violently shakes, vibrates, and becomes unstable while driving. This happened TWICE. Both times the rear bolts came out except one. Both mechanics who inspected it said they have NEVER seen this…
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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 are expected to be mailed July 6, 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 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.
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.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Cadillac ATS reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 33 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 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 2016 Cadillac ATS?
The 2016 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 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 3 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Cadillac ATS?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 10 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 31,500 miles. 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. Typical failure occurs around 31,500 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 2016 Cadillac ATS?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 33 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 are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Cadillac/ATS.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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