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.

Reported

Apr 2026

Incident date

Apr 2026

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Feb 2026

Incident date

Mar 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Sep 2025

Incident date

Sep 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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…..

Reported

Jul 2025

Incident date

Jan 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Mar 2025

Incident date

Mar 2025

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Jun 2024

Incident date

Jun 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Apr 2024

Incident date

Apr 2024

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

See attached document for complaint

Reported

Mar 2024

Incident date

Feb 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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???

Reported

Oct 2023

Incident date

Sep 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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

Reported

Jun 2023

Incident date

Mar 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Apr 2023

Incident date

Jan 2023

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Dec 2022

Incident date

Dec 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Dec 2022

Incident date

Dec 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Mar 2022

Incident date

Mar 2022

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Jan 2022

Incident date

Dec 2021

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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).

Reported

May 2021

Incident date

Nov 2020

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Mar 2021

Incident date

Feb 2021

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Aug 2020

Incident date

Jun 2020

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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

Reported

Jun 2020

Incident date

Dec 2019

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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

Reported

May 2020

Incident date

Apr 2020

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Jan 2020

Incident date

Jan 2020

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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

Reported

Nov 2019

Incident date

Nov 2019

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Jan 2019

Incident date

Jan 2019

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Dec 2018

Incident date

Dec 2018

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

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.

Reported

Jul 2017

Incident date

Feb 2017

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

THE HEADLIGHTS DO NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I AM A RETIRED AIRLINE PILOT WITH 20-20 VISION. THE CITY I LIVE IN DOES NOT HAVE SIDEWALKS AND I HAVE HAD SEVERAL CLOSE CALLS WITH STREET WALKERS THAT CAN BE EASILY SEEN BY OTHER MAKES AND MODELS. NHTSA RATES THE 2015 CADILLAC ATS WORST HEADLIGHTS ON MID-SIZE CARS. AS A CADILLAC OWNER SINCE 1977, I HAVE BEEN A SATISFIED CUSTOMER UNTIL THIS ATS. WHEN I BOUGHT THE ATS, I ASSUMED IT HAD GOOD STEERING, BRAKES, TIRES, WINDSHIELD WIPERS, AND HEADLIGHTS. I HAVE CONTACTED CADILLAC CUSTOMER SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES IN THE LAST 12 MONTHS BUT HAVE RECEIVED ONLY ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF MY COMPLAINT. THIS CADILLAC ATS IS A DANGER TO DRIVE AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE AND POORLY DESIGNED HEADLIGHTS. CADILLAC SHOULD REPLACE THESE UNSAFE HEADLIGHTS IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU. *TR

Reported

Jan 2017

Incident date

Dec 2016

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

A1 INCOMING EMAIL: LETTER FROM CONSUMER RE THE SAFETY OF 2015 ATS CADILLAC. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE FUEL GAUGE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE FRONT DASH COMPUTER QUE READER SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. *JB

Reported

Nov 2016

Incident date

Aug 2016

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

None reported

FIRST IN LINE WHILE STOPPED AT A LEFT-TURN LIGHT ON A CITY STREET. LIGHT TURNED GREEN, BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. MID-WAY THROUGH THE TURN, HEARD A "POP", LOST STEERING CONTROL, AND THE REAR END SPUN CAR INTO THE CURB. KEEP IN MIND THIS IS A 4-WHEEL-DRIVE CAR. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP, THE NOSE OF THE CAR WAS RESTING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE AND WHEEL. THE RIGHT-REAR WHEEL WAS SCRATCHED AND ABRADED ALL AROUND BECAUSE IT WAS STILL SPINNING WHEN IT HIT THE CURB. THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL HAS DAMAGE ONLY ON HALF OF IT BECAUSE IT STOPPED SPINNING WHEN THE NOSE DROPPED ONTO IT. LOOKING UNDER THE CAR I SAW THE FRONT-RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN MID-TURN. IN ADDITION TO FRONT RIGHT SUSPENSION DAMAGE, VEHICLE RECEIVED DAMAGE TO RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION. NO DAMAGE TO BODY FROM THE INCIDENT. GM HAD A REPRESENTATIVE INSPECT THE CAR AND PULL THE "BLACK BOX" DATA ON OCTOBER 8, 2015. MAXIMUM SPEED DURING THE INCIDENT WAS 38MPH. WERE ABLE TO JACK UP THE CAR. FRONT WHEEL HANGING LOOSE AND EASY TO MOVE BY HAND. STRUT/SHOCK/SPRINT TOWER ATTACHMENT BROKEN AT WHEEL HUB BEHIND BRAKE DISK. FRONT 4-WHEEL-DRIVE-AXEL BROKEN. ANTI-ROLL BAR LINKAGE BROKEN.

Reported

Oct 2015

Incident date

Sep 2015

Mileage

Not provided

Outcome flags

Crash 1 injuries

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles. The affected vehicles have a bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the brakes that may fracture during normal brake pedal operation.

Risk: If the bracket fractures, the driver would not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected bracket, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15352.

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.

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.

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N262555870. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026.