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2016 Cadillac ATS airbags problems
severe
Owners of the 2016 Cadillac ATS have filed 5 NHTSA complaints about the airbags at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See airbags across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
1
Avg fix
$1,100
airbags complaints on the Cadillac ATS, by model year
Of the 5 airbags complaints filed for the 2016 Cadillac ATS,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
1 (100%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
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 airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 4 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags 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.
Service Bulletin16NA361Jan 2022
This service bulletin provides service /diagnostic information to aid with a Transmission Harsh 1-2 Shift Upon First Start Up/Shift of the Day Under Light Throttle.
This Preliminary Information communicates to the technician that some customers may comment on the operation of their haptic seat during a Lane Keep Assist event. Lane Keep Assist works differently than Lane Departure Warning. The Lane Keep Assist icon is solid amber, Forward Camera Module is actively commanding a torque to Electronic Power Steering. This means that the driver should also feel some feedback from the steering wheel. No Chimes or haptic in the seat. Lane Keep Assist icon is flashing amber; Forward Camera Module is actively commanding torque to Electronic Power Steering. This will also be accompanied with Lane Departure Warning chimes and haptic in the seat feedback based on th
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may find Diagnostic Trouble Codes B3055, B3060, and/or B3935. Technician should not replace any parts for this concern. If unable to duplicate the concern ask if the customer uses any Radio Frequency Identification Devices when the concern is present. Dealer should also direct their customers to the appropriate section in the Owner manuals that references that the device complies.
Customer Satisfaction. Certain vehicles may have a condition in which the power steering gear motor could separate from the steering gear housing due to corrosion of the attaching bolts. If the motor separates, power steering assist may be reduced or lost, and the driver may experience an unexpected increase in steering effort, especially at low speeds. Replace the bolts that attach the electric power steering motor to the steering gear and add a protective wax coating to each bolt and the seam around the electric power steering motor. If the bolts cannot be removed due to corrosion, the steering gear must be replaced. ** Revised Parts Information **
Customer Satisfaction. Certain vehicles may have a condition in which the power steering gear motor could separate from the steering gear housing due to corrosion of the attaching bolts. If the motor separates, power steering assist may be reduced or lost, and the driver may experience an unexpected increase in steering effort, especially at low speeds. Replace the bolts that attach the electric power steering motor to the steering gear and add a protective wax coating to each bolt and the seam around the electric power steering motor. If the bolts cannot be removed due to corrosion, the steering gear must be replaced.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
2 most recent
airbags
· filed 09/27/2021
When driving, I accidentaley hit a curb on the front left rim and the side air bags deployed. There was no damage to vehicle other than hitting the rim. I want to know if there is a recall on this or if there has been any other incidents of this kind. The only deployed air bags were the side ones by the windows The front air bags did not deploy. I need answers to why the car deplyed air bags when…
airbags · 6,000 mi
· filed 07/12/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Cadillac ats. While driving various speeds, the contact placed a mobile phone on the passenger seat and the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (hennessy Cadillac located at 3377 satellite blvd, duluth, ga 30096; (770) 680-7000) who stated that they did not have a remedy for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and stated that they…
Had airbags trouble with your 2016 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 airbags problem on the 2016 Cadillac ATS?
It's a meaningful issue. 5 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, airbags issues most often appear around 33,500 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 $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover airbags issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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/2016/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.