What 35 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Cadillac ATS

Air bag dashboard light is on

NHTSA ODI 11744659

NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V558000 Rear Defogger Coil Antenna Module may Overheat If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, not sure what is happening but car does seem to overheat off and on especially when radio is turned on

NHTSA ODI 11744660

On 3rd differential in 2 years. Dealer won’t fix without us paying ANOTHER $4,700. There is NO way a differential goes 3 times in 2 years. Something is wrong. Help!!

NHTSA ODI 11735357

My 2016 Cadillac ATS Coupe has a serious repeating safety defect. The vehicle violently shakes, vibrates, and becomes unstable while driving. This happened TWICE. Both times the rear bolts came out except one. Both mechanics who inspected it said they have NEVER seen this before. The first time, I paid $4,000 out of pocket at another shop. The problem happened again, proving this is a manufacturing defect. My AXP diagnostic on November 4, 2025 confirms major rear differential/axle issues. The vehicle is unsafe and undrivable. One mechanic told me DO NOT DRIVE IT. Cadillac told me the opposite — “safe to pick up” — even though they did no real diagnostic. Cadillac refused to give anything in writing, refused a loaner, and ignored multiple emails. A Cadillac representative told me they reviewed the previous calls, meaning they know the full history. They still refused to fix the dangerous defect. I have paid over $33k, paid $4k for the first repair, still owe $7k, and Cadillac now wants another $7k for the same issue. This is a major safety risk to me and other drivers.

NHTSA ODI 11701363

The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that the message "Service Air Bag" was displayed, and the passenger's side seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11638325

When driving at around 40-50mph you can feel that the car has a shudder vibration. Took the car into Cadillac where they are informing me that it is the torque converter that needs replacement. No warning lights. If not fixed can lead to transmission failure.

NHTSA ODI 11633794

I’ve only had this vehicle for about 2 years now. I purchased it off of Carvana and had 30 days I could’ve returned the vehicle if there was issues. When I first got it, I noticed the vehicles gas pedal would shutter a tad while going up a hill or at a higher speed like on the highway. It would also jolt a little while taking off but when I took it to the dealership they were saying everything is normal and I believed everything was fine since there was no lights on the dash, it was my first time ever buying a car myself, and I had no reason not to trust them. The vehicle is now at a little less than 85,000 miles and I can’t drive it because of how bad it’s jerking, I did a little more research and come to find out this is a huge issue with GMs vehicles transmissions within that years range however my vehicle in particular isn’t on that list. The CTS and i believe even a few ATS Vs were on there but mine is doing the same exact behaviors as they’re describing. If there’s any way you guys can help me out it would honestly be a blessing

NHTSA ODI 11626993

The contact owned a 2016 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH and entering the expressway, she engaged the turn signal and verified that the road was cleared. The contact stated that while she was making the turn, an 18-wheeler truck suddenly hit the vehicle, causing the vehicle to crash into another vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was hit three times and spun onto the median, where the vehicle continued to spin until it hit the fence. The contact stated that her sister was occupying the front passenger's seat at the time of the accident. The air bags failed to deploy. Both the contact and her sister were transported to the hospital by emergency units. The contact stated that she sustained injuries on the left side of her body. The contact sustained severe pain on the left shoulder, left arm, left wrist, lower back, on and the neck down to under the shoulder blade. The contact's sister sustained injuries on the right side of the body. The contact sister sustained severe pain in the head, the ear, the right hip, the lower back, the abdomen, and the neck. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and totaled. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

NHTSA ODI 11579990

Transmission drags. When stopping the car jerks bad and sometimes proceeds to accelerate. When at a stop auto start has a hard jerk I reported this problem to Cadillac dealership when I first got the car. They claim they couldn't find an issue. The touch pad goes out frequently.

NHTSA ODI 11575697

Reporting a case for GM recall N182161890. I bought my vehicle in 2022. I was informed that my car had all the recalls completed on that vehicle. My vehicle had exactly what this recall was for happen to it on 10/20/23. After contacting Cadillac, they informed me that this recall was never completed on my vehicle. Cadillac then told me that this recall was expired so it can no longer be completed. They said that the recall expired on 11/30/2020. I was under the impression that recalls do not expire, especially ones that can cause lose of power steering and could lead to collision or injury. Cadillac told me it expired because it was a "Customer Satisfaction Program" recall and not a "Product Safety" recall. I'm confused on how the lose of steering is not a product safety issue. Cadillac is unwilling to fix the recall at this time, even though they have confirmed it had never been completed.

NHTSA ODI 11553393

My back glass on my 2016 Cadillac ATS shattered on 3-10-2023. It looks like it got hot from the defroster lines as it shattered every inch of the back glass and separated from the seals. I contacted Cadillac and they started Case #9-9552142107. I had the car inspected at my dealership on 3-11-23. They filled out the report on this case number to support the findings of a current recall already in place. Recall date 2015-09-03 Recall no.15V558000 General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Cadillac ATS sedan vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to September 2, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the coil antenna module that powers the rear defogger system may generate excessive heat due to excessive cycling or continuous operation. When I contacted Cadillac they said I needed to contact NHTSA with the info to have my car put on the recall

NHTSA ODI 11511593

CUE screen cracked and is unresponsive and now handsfree safety options don't work.

NHTSA ODI 11480821

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 it was a curb check and no physical damage to the car? Is there any recalls on this?

NHTSA ODI 11434480

THE GAS FUEL TANK CONTINUOUSLY STOPS EVERY TIME YOU ARE PUMPING GAS. SO IT TAKES VERY LONG TO FILL UP THE TANK. MY CENTER ELECTRICAL SCREEN FOR THE RADIO, BLUETOOTH, ETC DOESN'T WORK. I PAID EXTRA FOR THE FEATURE AND IT DOESN'T WORK.

NHTSA ODI 11413323

DROVE MY CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE BRAKES FAILED. I APPLIED ALL OF MY FORCE TO GET THE CAR TO STOP. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN LESS THAN 14 MONTHS. HAD IT REPAIRED THE FIRST TIME. IT HAD NO BRAKE ASSIST AND A CRACKED PCV VALVE. THE VACUUM PUMP AND HOSE TO BOOSTER WAS REPLACED. 14 MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN.

NHTSA ODI 11397631

WHILE ARRIVING AT STOP LIGHTS THE CADDILLAC ROUGHLY SHIFTS DOWN JOLTING THE WHOLE VEHICLE. AROUND 1500 RPMS WHETHER ITS SITTING OR JUST PASSING 1500 RPMS THE WHOLE VEHICLE SHUTTERS AND VIBRATES AGGRESIVELY UNTIL AROUND 2000 RPM. RPMS JUMP UP AND DOWN BETWEEN 1000 AND 3000 RPMS

NHTSA ODI 11383582

THE VEHICLE HAS AN ISSUE WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING. IT HAS HAPPENED AND RETURNED BUT IT GONE OUT TOTALLY NOW AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE PART OF THE CADILLAC POWER STEERING RECALL, BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED AS VEHICLE THAT IS AFFECTED.

NHTSA ODI 11372540

THE RADIO SCREEN IS CRACKING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE SCREEN I'M GETTING A SPIDERWEB EFFECT THAT IS NOT ALLOWING ME TO SEE THE SCREEN. CAN'T SEE THE SPEED OF MY AC FAN BECASUE I CAN'T SEE THE SCREEN, CAN'T CHANGE TO BLUETOOTH BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE THE SCREEN, CAN'T USE MY NAVIGATION SYSTEM THAT I PAID EXTRA FOR BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE THE SCREEN DUE TO THE SPIDERWEB EFFECT. THIS IS A DEFECT AS I HAVE USED THE RADIO UNDER NORMAL USE AND IT SHOULD NOT CRACK FROM THE INSIDE. I CAN'T USE ANY OF THE RADIO FEATURES DUE TO THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11348530

REAR VIEW MIRROR IS VERY FOGGY. I BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS ALREADY LIKE THAT.

NHTSA ODI 11341882

THERE WAS A SHUDDER TO THE VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION AND IT LURCHES FORWARD LIKE IT SKIPS GEARS WHEN GOING FROM REVERSE INTO DRIVE AND OFTEN FROM INCREASE SPEED

NHTSA ODI 11337876

WHEN OPERATING MY VEHICLE INTO DRIVE MANY TIMES WHEN TURNING THE FRONT WHEELS THE CAR LOOSE IT POWER AND STALLS. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TURNING VEHICLE INTO OTHER CROSS SECTIONS OR SMIPLY TURNING. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENHIS. THIS INCIDENT OCCURS WHEN STATIONARY OR MOVING FORWARD SLOWLY. I WAS MOVING FORWARD OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND INTO ON GOING TRAFFIC. LUCKLY I WAS ABLE TO BAGBACK INTO DRIVEWAY .

NHTSA ODI 11317835

AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 25 AND 35 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT THE ENTIRE CAR IS VIBRATING. ENGINE RPM IS BETWEEN 1000 AND 1500. RESPONSE IS UNPREDICTABLE. THE CAR MAY SPEED UP OR ATTEMPT TO STALL. VERY DANGEROUS ENTERING HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC SITUATIONS OR ACCELERATING IN LOCAL TRAFFIC.

NHTSA ODI 11310482

WE BOUGHT A USED 2016 ATS WITH 14,000 MILES. WITHIN 2 YEARS, WE HAVE HAD 4 CRACKED CADILLAC WHEELS. WE ALSO HAVE RUN FLAT TIRES, FACTORY INSTALLED. DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, POT HOLES AND SEAMS IN ASPHALT SEEM TO BE WHAT CAUSED OF CRACKED RIMS. I SUSPECTED A DEFECTIVE ISSUE AFTER 2ND CRACKED WHEEL. I ASKED AT LOCAL DEALERSHIP ABOUT A RECALL AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T SEE ONE. I SEE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND FINALLY FOUND A COMPLAINT THROUGH CARCOMPLAINTS.COM THAT WAS NOTED ON NHTSA. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE, FACTORY DEFECT AT CANNON CADILLAC IN LAKELAND, FL. IF DRIVEN ON RUN FLATS APPROX 15 MILES TO REPAIR FACILITY, TIRES CAN ALSO BE DAMAGED AND HAVE TO BE REPLACED WHICH WAS MY SITUATION. MY LAST WHEEL PURCHASED LASTED ME 1 YR, 3 WEEKS AND CRACKED BECAUSE OF SEAM IN ASPHALT ON THE FREEWAY. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. I NOW HAVE 35K MILES AND I'M LOOKING AT THE EXPENSE OF REPLACING ALL 4 WHEELS DUE TO CADILLAC STANDING BEHIND THIS DEFECTIVE WHEEL

NHTSA ODI 11310130

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, A CAR WAS MERGING INTO MY LANE. I QUICKLY TURNED INTO THE NEXT AVAILABLE LANE AS IT WAS EMPTY, AND WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT, IT OVERCOMPENSATED AND VIOLENTLY TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, LEADING TO THE CAR SPINNING OUT ON THE FREEWAY. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STRAIGHTEN THE WHEEL AT THAT POINT, UNTIL IT OVERCOMPENSATED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING ME TO SPIN OUT SOME MORE. THIS LED TO AN ACCIDENT, AND IT WAS A MIRACLE NO ONE WAS KILLED. DURING THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDENT, THE ROAD WAS IN GOOD SHAPE, VISIBILITY WAS GOOD, THE WEATHER WAS GOOD, IT WAS AROUND 60 DEGREES OUTSIDE, I HAD JUST GOT ON TO THE FREEWAY, AND WAS TRAVELLING AROUND 60 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPENED (I.E. NO SPEEDING), AND I WAS DRIVING WITH MY LEFT ARM (IT IS A MANUAL, AND MY RIGHT HAND WAS NOT ON THE STEERING WHEEL AT THE TIME) AND DUE TO THE POSITIONING (MY LEFT ARM RESTING ON THE ARMREST), IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO HAVE TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL ENOUGH TO HAVE SPUN OUT.

NHTSA ODI 11288691

ALL 4 RIMS ARE CRACKING AND CAUSING AIR TO LEAK FROM THE TIRES. CANNON CADILLAC IN LAKELAND FL., HAS STATED THESE RIMS ARE A FACTORY DEFECT, BUT HAVE DENIED THE CLAIM TO REPLACE ALL THE RIMS WITH AN ACTIVE 2 YEAR WARRANTY STILL IN EFFECT. I ONLY NOTICED THIS PROBLEM ONCE I HAD JUST PURCHASED A NEW TIRE AND SEEN THAT THE AIR PRESSURE WAS LOW ON THE TIRE. ONCE I TOOK MY CAR TO THE TIRE SHOP, THE TIRE TECHS INFORMED ME THE RIMS WHERE DEFECTIVE, AT THAT MOMENT I MADE A APPOINTMENT AT CANNON CADILLAC. THE PROBLEM IS STILL NOT RESOLVED

NHTSA ODI 11281720