Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.

Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.

2018 Cadillac ATS steering problems

moderate Owners of the 2018 Cadillac ATS have filed 3 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →

Complaints
3
Recalls
1
Avg fix
$700
steering complaints on the Cadillac ATS, by model year
Model yearsteering complaints
2014 ATS 10
2015 ATS 6
2016 ATS 4
2017 ATS 12
2018 ATS (this page) 3

When does it fail?

Of the 3 steering complaints filed for the 2018 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

Of the 6 model years of Cadillac ATS we track for steering problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (3).

No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 25V175000 March 20, 2025

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles

A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252497020.

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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 Bulletin PI0281L Apr 2025

This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 25-NA-065 Mar 2025

This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 16-NA-109 Feb 2025

This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 04-06-01-029K Oct 2024

This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin 17-NA-087 Nov 2023

This service bulletin provides information on Characteristics of Wide Low Aspect Ratio Tires, Vehicle Pulls Left or Right, Wanders, Follows Depressions in Road Surface, Tramlining.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

What owners are reporting 2 most recent

steering · 24,271 mi · filed 08/03/2020

No power steering cluster warning says service power steering drive with care

steering · filed 07/08/2025

My vehicle recently started experiencing an issue where the power steering would randomly cut out while I was driving. If I pulled over and shut the car off and then turned it back on the power steering would come back. But sometimes I would have to do this multiple times in a single drive just to keep the power steering on. I know that there is already a recall for this for some 2018 Cadillac…

Had steering trouble with your 2018 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 2018 Cadillac ATS?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 3 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 3 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 24,271 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?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover steering 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.

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/2018/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.
Sponsored
Get a free warranty quote →