What 28 owners told NHTSA about the 2015 Cadillac ATS

Fuel and/or combustion problem leading to excessive emissions at unpredictable times. I mean so much smoke suddenly comes out that the driver behind can't see, and it seems the car may be on fire.

NHTSA ODI 11733655

I bought my car from a dealership. Owned it for 2yrs 2mo. 107k miles First issue came up after 3-4 months. Faulty power steering. Took it to service at a dealership they said I would need my wire harness assembly replaced as well as a steering gear. Problem still persists. Also one of the mechanics there showed me that the previous owner glued harness connector components together which is why I started seeing issues that weren't there before. Now today three new warning/service lights: abs, brake warning and traction control lights. I think it is the battery but I haven't tested it. Someone online with the same issue said he had to replace the electronic brake control module. So this issue has not been diagnosed. As a result of the traction control malfunctioning suddenly I spun out on the highway in slippery conditions but did not collide with anything. Both issues are available for inspection. More information can be found on the quote in the attatchment.

NHTSA ODI 11716084

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS equipped with Firestone Tires, Tire Line: Fire Hawk A5V2, Tire Size: 225/45/R18, DOT Number: 17X4F9J46. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH in rain, the vehicle hydroplaned. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The tire failure mileage was approximately 1,000. The vehicle failure mileage was approximately 74,000.

NHTSA ODI 11689082

We have owned the 2015 ATS Cadillac since August 31, 2016 . The rear glass is blurry when looking back from the front seat. We replaced the rear view mirror thought that was the problem but didn’t correct. I checked on the windshield glass. I took these number off the rear glass. GM DOT-376 AS2 M2H3 Trans 70 o/o Min. E6 43R-008011 AGC Automotive 30 B A006450 Tempered GS.I have a picture showing the above Info. Taken from the rear glass…..

NHTSA ODI 11671420

The white pearl paint is chippng off everywhere. It started aat the drivers door directly under the rear view mirror. The underside of the trunk deck lid is completely paint free at this point. There are bubbles eroding on the drivers side rear fender area. When a paint meter was used to check the thickneess of the paint - it was disagnosed at a "1'", WHICH IS THE THINNEST possible number on the paint meter. I would like to demand that these parts of my PRISTINE car be repainted at no cost to myself.

NHTSA ODI 11646661

The CUE SYSTEM not totally working, and panel plastic is all spider web looking. I view this as a very bad problem( it won’t go to settings), no radio, can’t set the clock Not sure on all the problems as I can’t get to it to find out.

NHTSA ODI 11594208

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle hesitated to respond as needed. The brake assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump had failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the brake sensors had failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V645000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 132,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ODI 11584055

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ODI 11577647

I received a warning message : Right low beam light failure. I took the car to the deal and was quoted a price of $900.00 to replace the light. This is a safety issue and should not cost that much to replace a light. Searching the web, that is an average price for this type of repair???

NHTSA ODI 11549600

The cue system screen has become unresponsive due to separation of the glue the system is pretty much the heart of the car everything electrical is controlled thre that screen along with the back up camera

NHTSA ODI 11529854

My rear differential completely stopped on the freeway, not moving and saying over 100 mph and my car was barely rolling I am extremely lucky that I did not get rear ended because I was very close to that happening, a few cars had swerved to not crash. Luckily I was able to push my car to the exit and get off of the freeway to wait for the flatbed to pick me up. It is available to be inspected it’s just parked until I can get it fixed, the part is $1800 and I have not been able to afford it. I had a mechanic come and look at it and I was told what part it is. There was absolutely no warning lights for this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11519173

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, there was a clicking sound coming from the vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard; however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The contact activated the parking brake, and the vehicle was able to stop. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the brake pedal assembly and the rod bearings needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and stated that the vehicle needed to be diagnosed be being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 16V203000 (Steering). The failure mileage was 87,000.

NHTSA ODI 11498422

The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact decelerated and pulled into the driveway of a business. However, the contact was able to park on the side of the driveway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steering gear motor bolts were fractured. Additionally, the independent mechanic diagnosed that the failure was associated with GM Campaign Number: N202301950 (Loss of Power Assist, Steering-Gear Motor Bolts Broken). The dealer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle could not be repaired under the recall as the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 49,500.

NHTSA ODI 11496103

The CUE screen doesn’t work, has spider web on each corner, can’t use hands free phone or navigation, the screen won’t change from the taking your eyes off message while driving.

NHTSA ODI 11456835

The contact’s son owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while his son was exiting his driveway, the vehicle lost power steering assist with the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the bolts holding the steering motor had corroded and fallen out of the rack and pinion. The contact called the dealer and was informed that there were no recalls on the vehicle; the dealer referred him to the manufacturer for assistance. The contact immediately called the manufacturer and was informed that there was a warranty on the vehicle for the rack and pinion; however, the vehicle no longer qualified under the warranty. The contact’s son had the vehicle repaired by an independent mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000.

NHTSA ODI 11446114

At 38,000 miles, rear differential leak discovered. Dealership repaired leak. At 42,000 dear differential leak discovered. Prognosis: rear differential failure. Dealership replaced rear differential, shocks. Cost repairs paid by me (cadillac rejected paying repairs).

NHTSA ODI 11418215

ON FEBRUARY 22ND 2021 THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING WAS WET AND THE ENTIRE WIRING HAD COMPLETELY BURNED OUT. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS REPAIRS DONE ON THIS VEHICLE FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED IT TO THE PRESENT DATE.

NHTSA ODI 11399147

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE ASSIST AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BRAKES THREE WEEKS PRIOR HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE CONTACT CALLED VALDOSTA CADILLAC LOCATED AT 3685 INNER PERIMETER RD, VALDOSTA, GA 31602, AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11344289

REAR END IS MAKING HOWLING SOUND. THE SOUND STARTED IN LATE DECEMBER OF 2019. SINCE THEN I HAVE ONLY DROVE THE CAR TO THE REPAIR FACILITY THIS WEEK. CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITY IS STATING MY DIFFERENTIAL IS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 11331114

THE VEHICLE CUE SCREEN CRACKING. I HAD THE SCREEN REPLACED IN 2017 AND NOW THE SCREEN IS CRACKED.*DT CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A LAWSUIT AGAINST GM FOR USING PLASTIC SCREENS FROM 2012 CADILLAC MODELS WHEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED. CURRENTLY CADILLAC IS CHARGING $1,000 TO $2,000 TO REPAIR THE SCREEN.*JB *TR

NHTSA ODI 11326051

I NOTICED A ROARING NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALER I WENT TO BARKLEY CADILLAC GMC IN TUSCALOOSA ALABAMA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR END HAD A PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI 11301083

BOTH HID HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME AFTER LESS THAN 1000 HOURS OF USE. THEY WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11281991

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY PARKING SPACE WHEN I HEARD A NOISE AND REALIZED THAT I COULD NOT TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I MOVES THE CAR FORWARD INTO THE PARKING SPACE AGAIN AND A MESSAGE ON THE DISPLAY SCREEN READ TO SERVICE POWER STEERING. UPON MY RESEARCH THE ELECTRICAL MODULE OR MOTOR HAS BEEN KNOW TO STOP WORKING. I WAS NOT DRIVING AND I THANK GOD FOR THAT BECAUSE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I NOTICED THAT THE 2013 CADILLAC ATS HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL STEERING. THE NHTSA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR IS THREE YEARS OLD AND SHOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM. THESE ELECTRICAL POWER STEERING SYSTEMS CAN CAUSE DEATH BECAUSE OF THE HIGH DIFFICULTY TO STEER IF ON THE ROAD. STEERING IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI 11165776

STARTED VEHICLE AND WENT IN RESERVE. THEIR WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE BRAKES AS I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MOVE REARWARD. I HAD TO APPLY HARD PRESSURE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. BRAKE PEDAL BARELY MOVES AS I PRESS IT. HARD TO STOP VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11156889

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CADILLAC ATS EQUIPPED WITH CONTINENTAL CONTI PRO CONTACT TIRES, SIZE: 225/40/R18 (NA). ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BUMP AND THE TIRES VIBRATED. SEVERAL MILES DOWN THE ROAD, THE AIR SENSOR INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE SIDEWALLS ON BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE SPLIT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO USE THE RUN FLAT INNER TIRES TO CONTINUE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LONG CADILLAC DEALER LOCATED IN SOUTHBOROUGH, MA WHERE THE TIRE WAS REPLACED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000. THE DOT NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11005867