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2018 Cadillac ATS V-series
Solid pick. The complaint record is strong for its age. It does carry safety recalls, so confirm every one shows "remedy completed" on the VIN before money changes hands.
21 owner complaints · 2 recalls · data verified July 27, 2026 · source: NHTSA
Why buy?
Very few owner complaints for its age and sales volume.
Complaints are overwhelmingly minor: almost none involve crashes, fires, or injuries.
Score breakdown, by factor
Full methodology →#75 of 570Among the 2018 models with a matured record, the 2018 Cadillac ATS V-series ranks #75, scoring higher than 85% of them. See the 2018 ranking →
Complaints filed per year
Fading = early teething worked out. Climbing = problems aging in.
How it crashes
NHTSA’s own crash tests, separate from the reliability score above.
4/5 overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating · 2018 Cadillac ATS-V 4 DR RWD
Rollover risk in a single-vehicle crash: 10%
No open NHTSA defect investigations on file.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings. Star ratings compare vehicles within the same class and size, not across every car on the road.
The road ahead
What breaks on a 2018 Cadillac ATS V-series, plotted where owners report it happening.
Also reported (mileage varies): Transmission & drivetrain (6)
Mileage medians come from owners who mentioned an odometer reading in their NHTSA complaint. Treat them as a rough guide.
Transmission & drivetrain
29%6 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“Unexpected shutter of vehicle, loss of power, unpredictable forward motion, erratic movement, delayed acceleration.”
Electrical system
14%3 complaints · 1 in the last 2 years
“THE SCREEN IS STARTING TO SPIDER CRACK UNDERNEATH THE GLASS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY. *TR”
Steering
14%3 complaints · 2 in the last 2 years
“NO POWER STEERING CLUSTER WARNING SAYS SERVICE POWER STEERING DRIVE WITH CARE”
Fuel system
10%2 complaints
“While driving started to smell gas. On same day, car stalled at an intersection in a downtown area. I could not start car. Had to push car in busy traffic to a safe pl…”
Check it against this car’s mileage
Type the odometer reading on the actual car you’re looking at to see which of these problem areas owners tend to report before it, around it, or after it.
Too few owners named a mileage on this model to place issues against an odometer yet.
Read all 21 owner complaints in their own words → · just the 1 crash/fire/injury reports →
Recalls (2)
Safety recall repairs are free at the brand’s franchised dealers. Before buying, run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and make the seller show the work was done.
Steering · 25V175000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
Risk: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline · 18V358000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Risk: A damaged fuel line can create a fuel leak, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.
Questions to ask the seller
Questions worth asking the seller of this Cadillac before you buy, drawn from its public record:
- NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2018 Cadillac ATS V-series. Can you run this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and confirm each one shows "Remedy Completed"?
- Owners of this model report transmission & drivetrain problems more than anything else. Has this car shown any transmission & drivetrain symptoms, and are there repair records for it?
- Has this car been in any accident or had any structural, airbag, or flood-related repair? Do you have a clean title and a recent history report (Carfax / AutoCheck)?
- How many owners has it had, do you have the maintenance records, and why are you selling it?
- Are you open to me having an independent mechanic inspect it before we settle on a price?
Before you hand over money
Verify the recall work was done
NHTSA’s free lookup shows whether this exact car had its recall remedies completed.
Free NHTSA VIN check ↗Get a pre-purchase inspection
A $150 to $250 independent inspection of this exact 2018 Cadillac ATS V-SERIES beats every score on the internet, including ours.
What to ask forNot set on the 2018? See how every ATS V-series model year scores →
Cross-shopping? Compare the 2018 Cadillac ATS V-series against another car →
What owners say
Real owners of this exact model-year, shown separately from the NHTSA score. If they disagree, that’s worth knowing.