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Verdict

2014 Cadillac ATS: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues

What the public record actually says about the 2014 Cadillac ATS — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.

The read

Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for sedan.

Owners filed 102 NHTSA complaints — more complaints than 51% of 2014 sedans. Power Train leads the reports (25%). 4 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.

Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2014 sedans, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.

Complaints filed

102

Reports to NHTSA, 2014

Safety recalls

4

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

23.5

EPA estimate

Complaint volume vs. segment peers

More complaints than 51% of 2014 sedans

The bar is this car's percentile among 2014 sedans by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.

Known issues

Power Train issues lead owner complaints (25% of 102 reports), followed by electrical system (17%).

Power Train25% · 25 reports
Electrical System17% · 17 reports
Unknown Or Other14% · 14 reports
Steering10% · 10 reports
Engine6% · 6 reports
Air Bags5% · 5 reports
Suspension3% · 3 reports
Visibility/Wiper3% · 3 reports

+ 11 more component categories with fewer reports.

Share of all 102 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 10824830, ODI 11690110, ODI 11590820, ODI 11590091, ODI 11588572.

Recalls(4)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

VisibilityMar 2015 · 15V558000Details +

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.

Risk: If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electronic Climate Control module to remove the automatic rear defogger "on" function, free of charge. The recall began on October 16, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15299.

Power Train · 14V338000Details +

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to March 20, 2014, and 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, to March 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.

Risk: 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.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14179.

Seats · 14V446000Details +

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.

Risk: A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.

Visibility · 15V463000Details +

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to June 25, 2015. The affected vehicles may experience the roof panel closing automatically when the non-recessed switches are pressed and the roof panel is open. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

Risk: Because the switch is not recessed, the roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed resulting in unintended auto-closure of the roof panel, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy: GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the roof console accessory switch trim plate, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15568. Note this recall supersedes 15V-106.

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

2014 Cadillac ATS 4 DR RWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

2014 Cadillac ATS 4 DR AWD NHTSA source

Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP).

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
ATS2.5L 4-cylRear-Wheel Drive223226
ATS2.0L 4-cylRear-Wheel Drive213024
ATS2.0L 4-cylRear-Wheel Drive192923
ATS3.6L 6-cylRear-Wheel Drive182722

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

Useful next checks

Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.

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Compare model years

"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.

2014 Cadillac ATS: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2014 Cadillac ATS?

Owners filed 102 NHTSA complaints about the 2014 Cadillac ATS — more complaints than 51% of comparable 2014 sedans, so it sits toward the weaker end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.

What are the most common problems on the 2014 Cadillac ATS?

The most-reported problem areas are Power Train (25% of complaints) and electrical system (17%).

How many recalls does the 2014 Cadillac ATS have?

4 recalls have been issued that affect the 2014 Cadillac ATS, covering components such as visibility. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2014 Cadillac ATS get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Cadillac ATS between 22 and 26 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.