What 160 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Cadillac ATS V-series

I was making a left turn and I heard a loud popping noise. I pulled the vehicle into a parking lot. After stopping it would not move. When I put the car in gear I would hear a loud grinding noise coming from the back wheel base. I had the vehicle towed to a repair shop. I was told that the roll pins that connect the axel to the rear differential had come out. I am unable to have the car repaired because there are no rear differentials available in that there is a nationwide back order and no one knows when they will be available. This seems similar to the problem that led to a recall of the 2014-15 Cadillac CTS model. NHTSA Recall No. : 20V-038 https://www.autoblog.com/2020/02/03/cadillac-cts-v-sport-recall/

NHTSA ODI 11469601

While waiting for the car in front of me in the valet line, I put my 2013 Cadillac ATS in park. When it was my turn, I attempted to put the car back in drive to move forward, but the shifter was locked in the park position. I had my foot on the brake and when I took it off the car began rolling forward, even though the shifter was in the park position. The screen above the steering wheel as well as the light on the shifter indicated that my vehicle was in drive, even though the shifter was locked in the 'park' position. I powered the car off, and after that it would not start. The screen and on the shifter still indicated that the car was in drive. Ultimately, the vehicle had to be towed. After having the vehicle inspected by a mechanic, it was found that the transmission shift cable became detached/failed/malfunctioned. I discovered that there was a recall on certain Cadillac vehicles for the issue I experienced, (recall number 14V338000). However, my vehicle did not have the recall when my VIN was looked up, but my car experienced the recall issue nevertheless. My safety as well as several others were put at risk because the car would roll if my foot was not on the brake, which could have seriously injured anybody/anything in its path. There were no warning lamps/messages/symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The vehicle component has not been inspected by the manufacturer, as they quoted me a price of over $1000, holding me responsible even when there is a recall that matches the failure that took place in my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11468230

There is a shudder at around 1500 to 2k rpms and appears there have been thousands of complaints about this. Also the touch screen has been replaced 7 times in my car which is another issue with the ATS LEMON.

NHTSA ODI 11461018

Airbag module fail on passenger seat

NHTSA ODI 11454880

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle started making abnormal loud popping sounds, and the vehicle inadvertently stalled. The contact's husband was able to push the vehicle to the side of the road with assistance. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that one of the driver’s side rear axle was missing all the bolts. Additionally, the passenger’s side rear axle was missing one bolt and had loosened bolts. The independent mechanic replaced the driver’s side rear axle bolts and washers and tightened the passenger side rear axle bolts. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

NHTSA ODI 11447949

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, the vehicle was shifted to reverse and then shifted to drive however, the vehicle moved backward. The brakes would not engage when depressed to stop the vehicle from moving backward. The contact applied parking brakes to stop the vehicle. The contact had assistance from an independent mechanic who helped to move the vehicle into a parking space. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the parking lot. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V338000 (Power Train). The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

NHTSA ODI 11434476

While out driving, the vehicle would not shift gear into park upon arriving at a parking lot. The car was transported to an nearby garage and the transmission shift cable was found to be melted/severed upon undercarriage inspection. This is a recall for other models of 2013-2014 ATS. If the transmission shift cable detaches while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

NHTSA ODI 11433357

Advance lighting system the headlights stick up in the air when they should be leveled out. It’s a danger when driving at night.

NHTSA ODI 11429269

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE SHIFTED OUT OF PARK. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CADILLAC OF NOVI (41350 GRAND RIVER AVE, NOVI, MI 48375, (866)613-0742) AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V338000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11407229

THE TOUCH SCREEN CONTROL ON THE CENTER CONSOLE IS NOT WORKING AS DESIGNED. I AM UNABLE TO TO CHANGE FUNCTIONS, SUCH AS CHANGING RADIO CONTROLS TO AIR CONDITIONING CONTROLS. I AM UMABLE TO NAVIGATE THE SCREEN UP/DOWN AND SIDE TO SIDE. IT BOUNCES AROUMD UNCONTROLLABLE AND WHEN I DRIVE THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11406772

I BEEN HAVING ELECTRONIC ISSUES SICE I GOT IT FROM DEALER IN TEMPE AZ CALLED AUTO NATION. THE MAIN TOUCH SCREEN IN COCKPIT WON'T POWER UP HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES IN PAST FOR REPAIR/REPLACE THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPEN AN NOT ALL PARTS AND SERVICE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY I HAD THRU ALSTATE AN IT WAS A COUPLE HUNDRED OUT OF POCKET FOR THE NEW HARNESS ASSEMBLY THAT CADILLAC HAD FOR A NEW TOUCH SCREEN ASSEMBLY THAT WAS INSTALLED THE LAST TIME IN 2018 AN NOW IT'S HAPPENED AGAIN SCREEN WON'T TURN ON AC CONTROLS WON'T WORK AN TURN SIGNALS ARE INTERMITTENT ALMOST GOT REAR-ENDED DRIVING THROUGH TOWN BECAUSE TURN SIGNAL WOULD NOT INDICATE DIRECTION I WAS TURNING AN OTHER DRIVER HAD BRAKES LOCKED UP SLIDING TOWARDS ME BUT LUCKILY STOPPED WITH ONLY INCHES APART VERY SCARY. BUT IT COMING IN TO SUMMER A AC IS A MUST TO HAVE. BUT NOW SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED THERE IS A BAD POWER DRAW SOMEWHERE THAT KEEPS MAKING MY BATTERY GO DEAD SO CAR IS PARKED TILL I CAN ENOUGH FINANCES TO COVER MECHANIC. CAR IS WELL MAINTAINED AND NOT DRIVEN HARD IT SHOWS NO RECALLS FOR ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS BUT THIS WILL BE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPEN AN WOULDN'T THINK I AM THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPEN TO.

NHTSA ODI 11404353

ON STARTUP THE HEADLIGHTS AUTO LEVEL. ISSUE ARISES WHEN HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROPERLY LEVEL AND ARE LEFT AT UNSAFE POSITIONS.

NHTSA ODI 11402710

THE VEHICLE WAS LEAVING A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON ANDHAD TO GET THE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE POWER STEERING BOLTS CORRODED AND IN ORDER TO REMOVED THEM HE HAD TO REMOVE THE RACK AND PINION AND ALSO FOUND THOSE BOLTS TO BE CORRODED. MY DAUGHTER WAS USING THE VEHICLE AND USUALLY TRAVELS ON THE HIGHWAY TO WORK

NHTSA ODI 11399813

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON 2.5.21. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND IT NEEDED A HOSE AND SENSOR WHICH WAS FIXED. ON THE MULTIPOINT INSPECTION,IT WAS NOTED THAT THERE IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING WHICH CAN CAUSE THE TIRES TO SEIZE WHILE DRIVING. THE CAR ONLY HAS 63K MILES ON IT. IT IS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS TURBO.THE MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY EXPIRED AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THE REPLACEMENT.HOWEVER, I DID FIND A RECALL ON THE CTS MODEL. I ALSO SEE A LARGE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS ON THE ATS MODEL, AS WELL. THE DEALER QUOTED ME $5K TO REPLACE THE DIFFERENTIAL WITH ONLY A 1 YEAR WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A RESULT OF POOR QUALITY AND CRAFTMANSHIP AND THAT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE ATS MODELS, AS WELL. THE FACT THAT THEY ONLY OFFER A 1 YEAR WARRANTY IS ALSO CONCERNING. THIS WOULD REFLECT THEY KNOW OF THE ISSUE, AND WILL ONLY COVER IT FOR THE SHORTEST AMOUNT POSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI 11398266

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,200.

NHTSA ODI 11390690

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOSS ELECTRICAL POWER CAUSING THE INTERIOR LIGHTING AND POWER STEERING TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER HONOLULU BUICK GMC CADILLAC (2945 N NIMITZ HWY, HONOLULU, HI 96819, (808) 800-4338) AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,500. *BF

NHTSA ODI 11390687

POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. WE STARTED THE VEHICLE TODAY WITH 73,000 MILES AND WHEN WE WENT TO PULL OFF ONCE IN DRIVE THE CAR GAVE A POWER STEERING WARNING APPEARED. WHEN WE TRY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IT MAKES THIS LOUD SQUEALING COMPUTERIZED SOUNDING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI 11352163

MY CUE SCREEN HAS COMPLETELY SPIDERWEBBED AND IS NO LONGER FUNCTIONING. I CAN BARELY SEE MY BACK UP CAM. I CAN NO LONGER UTILIZE THE VEHICLE HANDS FREE BECAUSE I CANNOT SET UP BLUETOOTH. APPARENTLY THIS IS A WIDE KNOWN ISSUE WITH GM AND WILL NOT BE COVERED TO FIX. WHICH IS ABOUT $2K OUT OF POCKET. THIS CAR IS PARKED IN A GARAGE 100% OF THE TIME AND IS BARELY DROVE 2 MILES PER DAY. IT ONLY HAS 72000K MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11350915

WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY MY CAR STARTED TO MOVE LIKE IT WAS GOING TO QUIT ON ME, I GET MY CAR SERVICED FREQUENTLY AND HAVE REPLACED THE SPARKPLUGS AND COIL, CHANGED ALL THE GASKETS, AND I ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE STABILITITRACK LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR DID NOT WANT TO WORK AS IT SHOULD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.

NHTSA ODI 11339389

MY SEAT WILL MOVE BACK BUT NOT FORWARD, THIS MAKING IT HARD TO REACH THE PETALS AND THE SEAT IS MOVING TO THE RIGHT AND NOT STRAIGHT

NHTSA ODI 11339390

TIMING COVER IS LEAKING OIL FROM THE GASKET WHICH IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO OTHER 2013 ATS 2.0 OWNERS. AND WHEN IT LEAKS A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL LIKE IT DOES THE ENGINE CAN SEIZE UP ON THE HIGHWAY COULD AND CAN RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 47,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330474

THE TOUCH SCREEN FROZE UP AND HAD TO BE REPLACED THAT'S THE FIRST ISSUE. I REPLACED IT. NOW THE SECOND ISSUE THE TOUCH SCREEN STARTING CRACKING AND IT LOOKS LIKE SPIDER WEBS. I HAVE HEARD OTHERS HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY OVER $1300 FOR SOMETHING THAT OBVIOUSLY HAS A DEFECT IN IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11329218

I?M REALLY UPSET MY CAR WHEN I GOT IT HAD 92,000 MILES FIRST WEEK I GOT IT START TO SHUTTER THEN STALL WHILE AT STOP AND SHUT OFF OR DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THEN JUST STALL AND LOOSE PIER AND SHUT OFF VERY UNSAFE AND I FEEL SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR I TOOK IT TO SO MANY SHOP AND THEY ALL CAN?T FIND THE ISSUE ON WHY IT STALLING AND SHUTTING OFF TOLD CADILLAC DEALER THEY SAID IT NEEDED UPDATE GUESS WHAT DID UPDATE AND GUESS WHAT STILL HAPPENING I'VE DONE ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE CHANGE SPARK PLUGS KEEP UP ON OIL. CHANGE AND ETC STILL STALLING WHILE DRIVING AND AT COMPLETE STOP IT NOT SAFE CAR TO DRIVE IT JUST STALLS AND TURN OFF TOOK IT TO CADILLAC STILL NOTHING NOW IT BACK IN SHOP FOR THE 14 TIME WITH CADILLAC GILBERT AZ TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIND THE ISSUE AND THE FIX I THINK THIS IS GM CADILLAC ISSUE WITH THE COMPUTER THAT CAUSING MY CAR GO INTO SOME TYPE SAFE MODE AND MAKE THE CAR STALL AND SHUTTER THEN TURN OFF BUT WHEN IT ON HIGHWAY IT DRIVES FINE THEN STALLS . I?M FOR SURE THIS IS MECHANICAL ISSUE THAT HAS TO DO WITH SOMETHING CADILLAC DID AND THEY NEED BE RESPONSIBLE WITH THIS ISSUE EVERYONE TELLS ME GO DEALER BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIKE CODES THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE ONLY CADILLAC WELL CADILLAC MAKES NO SINCE I THINK MY COMPUTER SYSTEM IS MAKING THE CAR GO INTO SOME TYPE SAFE MODE AND SHUT OFF I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND IT CRAZY AND UNSAFE I'VE REPORTED THIS TO HIGHWAY SAFETY BOARD AND BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU AND OTHER PLACES THIS DOESN'T MAKE SINCE YOU GUYS NEED PROVIDE SOLUTION FOR THIS ISSUE . *TR

NHTSA ODI 11328076

I CURRENTLY HAVE THE CUE SCREEN HAS SPIDER WEBS INSIDE AND CRACK. IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND IT'S COSTING ME A $1,600 PLUS. I ONLY HAVE 75000 MILES ON THIS CAR. I DROVE 120 MILES IN SINCE MARCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11327027

THIS MODEL CADILLAC HAS BEEN HAVING NUMEROUS COMPLAINS OVER THE YEARS, DUE TO SCREENS CRACK OVERNIGHT, IT HAPPENED TO ME ONCE BUT THE DEALER REPLACED IT, BUT NOW THAT I DON'T HAVE WARRANTY IT HAPPENED ONCE AGAIN AND THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE 1500, THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN ISSUE AMONG CADILLAC CUE OWNERS, AND IS SOMETHING CADILLAC NEEDS TO TAKE ACCOUNT FOR AND DO A RECALL ON A SCREEN THAT DOESN'T SHATTER INTERNALLY ON IT'S OWN, MAY 3RD CAR WAS NORMAL, MAY 4TH THE SCREEN WAS SHATTERED FROM THE CORNER, LIKE A WEBBING. IT WASN'T IMPACTED BY ANYTHING JUST DUE TO WHATEVER MATERIALS THEY USE TO MAKE THEM THEY RANDOMLY SHATTER OVER NIGHT, CADILLAC NEEDS TO FIX THIS SOLUTION, WE CAN'T BE REPLACING STEREOS EVER 3RD YEAR DUE TO A MANUFACTURER MISTAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11323352