Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Cadillac ats. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 19v086000 (steering). The contact stated that the manufacturer failed to provide the part within a reasonable timeframe. An appointment was scheduled with dutton motor company (8201 auto dr, riverside, ca 92504, (951) 687-2020). The dealer indicated that the part was ordered and available;…
2017 Cadillac ATS steering problems
moderate 12 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 12 steering complaints filed for the 2017 Cadillac ATS, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Steering accounts for 38% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
Among the 6 model years of Cadillac ATS in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: Avoid 2017 Cadillac ATS steering systems—these vehicles exhibit recurring power steering loss at highway speeds with no reliable fix available, and recall parts remain unavailable. Multiple owners report intermittent failures 4-5 days weekly making the vehicle genuinely unsafe to operate.
Owners of 2017 Cadillac ATS models report power steering failing intermittently during normal driving, with the steering wheel becoming extremely stiff and requiring all upper-body strength to turn. One owner reported losing power assist 4-5 days per week at highway speeds (65-70 MPH) and in city traffic. Worst case: an owner couldn't steer the vehicle without excessive force while driving 70 MPH. Another reported the steering wheel seizing suddenly while driving.
Most failures occur without warning lights—though some show a "service power steering" message. One vehicle regained steering after a restart; others did not. Routine dealer inspection found no cause in one case.
General Motors issued NHTSA Campaign 19V086000 for this problem. However, owners report dealers cannot obtain recall parts and cannot schedule appointments. Several dealers confirmed parts are unavailable, and GM confirmed no remedy was available at the time. Some owners' VINs were deemed ineligible for the later Campaign 25V175000. Owners express serious safety concerns: losing power steering at highway speeds or in traffic creates immediate crash risk, particularly dangerous for older drivers. One owner requested a buyback due to persistent safety fears. Dealers offered no loaner vehicles during the unresolved recall process.
Same Cadillac ATS steering reports on nearby years: 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Intermittent loss of power steering
Power steering functionality drops intermittently during normal driving. Steering wheel becomes significantly difficult to turn, requiring excessive force. No warning light appears initially, though some vehicles show 'service power steering' message. Failure progressives in frequency and severity.
When: Various speeds; mileage unknown in most cases
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel difficult or impossible to turn without excessive force; Loss of power steering while driving at highway speeds (65-70 MPH) and in traffic; Intermittent nature: 4-5 days per week, multiple times per day in worst cases; Service power steering message on some units; Abnormal sounds reported in one case; Vehicle functioned normally after restart in one instance
Repairs/costs cited: Routine inspection at independent shop found no failure. No repairs completed on vehicles with active symptoms.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 19V086000 (Steering) and Campaign 25V175000 (Steering) — some VINs determined ineligible for recall. No remedy available stated by dealer and GM in some cases despite recall existence.
Steering wheel seizing
Steering wheel locks up or seizes, creating immediate crash risk. Distinct from gradual loss of assist; occurs without warning and renders the vehicle difficult or impossible to steer.
When: Unspecified timing
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel seizing or locking; Vehicle becomes extremely difficult to maneuver
Repairs/costs cited: Covered under NHTSA Campaign 19V086000 recall. Parts unavailable to complete repair.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 19V086000 (Steering). Dealers unable to schedule recall appointments. No loaner vehicles offered. Repair parts not available despite recall notice issued.
Steering component electrical/supply failure
Warning indicators and gauges flicker on and off, suggesting an underlying electrical or power supply issue affecting the steering system.
When: Unspecified mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Various warning indicators and gauges flickering on and off; Correlated with recall-eligible vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle not diagnosed or repaired. Dealer unable to schedule service appointment.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 19V086000 (Steering). Dealer contacted multiple times but could not schedule repair.
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 8 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Cadillac ats. The contact stated that various warning indicators and gauges flickered off and on. Whites Chevrolet Buick GMC Cadillac (173 old farm rd, roanoke rapids, nc 27870, (252) 507-0374) was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 19v086000 (steering). The dealer was contacted more than once, but…
My power steering stops working several times a day at least 4-5 days a week. This is very dangerous, as I can not turn the vehicle without using all of my upper body strength. This has happened to me several times while driving 70 MPH down the highway and in downtown chicago traffic. I fear for my safety and Cadillac will not do anything to fix this. I have contact my Cadillac dealer and…
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Cadillac ats. The contact stated that the manufacturer failed to provide the remedy and repair part within a reasonable time frame as the steering wheel had began seizing causing the risk of a potential crash for NHTSA campaign number: 19v086000 (steering). The dealer(s) ed morse Cadillac delray beach2300 s federal hwy, delray beach, fl 33483, (877) 606-6291 and ed…
The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing intermittent loss of power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to Auto Repair Garage, where a routine inspection was performed, and the contact was informed that no failure was found. The contact stated that the failure progressively increased. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle,…
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Cadillac ats. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v086000 (steering). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact called Cadillac of las vegas (located at 5185 w sahara ave, las vegas, nv 89146, (702) 900-0132) and was informed that the part was not available. The…
Driving home message came up on the dash, saying, power steering problem. Next thing you know, it was extremely hard to turn the wheel left or right.
Tl* the contact owns a 2017 Cadillac ats. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 19v086000 (steering). The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Cadillac of bellevue (600 116th ave ne, bellevue, wa 98004, (866) 971-3359) was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of…
Had steering trouble with your 2017 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 2017 Cadillac ATS?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 12 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?
Based on the 12 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 36,324 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 $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/2017/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.