2017 Cadillac Ats

Routine

Owners filed 32 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the steering. It has been recalled 2 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Steering10
000
Power Train5
000
Unknown or Other4
000
Electrical System3
000
Service Brakes2
100
Air Bags2
000
Wheels1
000
Structure › Body1
000
Exterior Lighting1
000
Engine1
000

2 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Steering › Electric Power Assist System25V175000
Filed Mar 20, 2025934 vehiclesGeneral Motors, Llc

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

Steering › Electric Power Assist System19V086000
Filed Feb 7, 201926,772 vehiclesGeneral Motors Llc

Defect. General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail.

Risk. Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy. GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. GM' number for this recall is N182182760.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Power Train
Filed May 26, 2026CA

Transmission fluid temperature sensor in the 8 speed automatic 8L90 transmission from GM is a known issue. Causes vehicle to shift/jerk erratically especially in stop and go traffic.

Steering
Filed Apr 25, 2026PA

Driving home message came up on the dash, saying, power steering problem. Next thing you know, it was extremely hard to turn the wheel left or right.

Wheels
Filed Mar 3, 2026KY

I have replaced two brand new tires on the back right. I then saw that there was a TSB for the very issue im having with my vehicle. A slow loss of air from the back right tire. The TSB link is https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=11017016 Its a slow.loss of air that eventually ends you up with a blown tire on the side of the road which has happened twice to me now. There is no location on the vehicle for a spare tire coincidentally. I still have the tires with damage to them for proof . My brakes and rotors have been. Changed because the mechanic said that could be the issue. I never thought of it being the tire and rim until I saw the TSB for this which is exactly what it feels like when the air does get in the rim and begins to naw the wall of the tire.

Back Over Prevention › Display Function
Filed Sep 14, 2025TX

My Que Screen has webbed and makes it impossible to view my screen, important vehicles warnings and my maps for directions. This has been a recall in the past. Prior to me owning my vehicle. I can’t believe Cadillac installed junk in their vehicles. A third party is a direct extension of YoUR business. Do better. This is horrible. I demand a recall repair. If this was known and you all didn’t want to fix these vehicles should be pulled off the roadways. Right your wrongs.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 5, 2025NJ

In center console there is a dual USB port for either charging or data for CarPlay. When two phones are plugged in and charging, and one phone is in passengers hand, while vehicle is in motion or stopped, the airbag warning light will illuminate. When the phone is removed from passenger seat, airbag warning light turns off. This will happen any number of times and is very easy to reproduce issue. This problem is only occurring more often now that I have a passenger in the car. But it will happen if any phone is plugged in and sitting on the seat. It went to the dealer with this issue a couple years ago but they couldn’t get it to happen again because the phone wasn’t on the seat plugged in. If the airbag warning light is on, then the system will not function, therefore, if this happened right before an accident, the airbags may not deploy, putting all passengers at risk.

Power Train
Filed May 29, 2025NV

1. The transmission shudders at high speeds and at low speeds it either hesitates to shift gears or it lurches forward causing a rough shifting of gears. 2. I feel as though when I am braking and my car lurches forward, sometimes I have to brake even harder just to get the car to stop in time. This has caused me to almost hit pedestrians and/or other car. At high speeds, when the transmission shudders, I feel as though I have to slow down in order to stop the aggressive shaking, making others driving behind me have to slow down. 3. A former family mechanic has tried to resolve the transmission issue for me and he was unsuccessful in doing so. I have not taken it to a dealer or a big name mechanic. 4. The vehicle has not been inspected by insurance, police or the manufacturer. Only a family mechanic. 5. As far as I know, there was no prior indicating symptoms of the issue as I bought the car how it currently is. I was told upon purchase that the transmission has a shudder at high speeds and at hesitation of shifting gears at low speeds

Steering
Filed May 5, 2025CA

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing intermittent loss of power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to Auto Repair Garage, where a routine inspection was performed, and the contact was informed that no failure was found. The contact stated that the failure progressively increased. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system screen was frozen. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V175000 (Steering). An appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 19, 2025FL

They have terrible transmission that barely make it to 50,000 miles before problems start happening. Parts are not cheap at all it’s General Motors 8 speed transmissions my 2017 caddilac ATS is on its 2nd transmission and it’s already driving terrible I fear I may be left stranded next time this happens. The car has a new transmission with only over 37 thousand miles on the transmission.

Engine
Filed Mar 10, 2025FL

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle became difficult to maneuver, with the service power steering message displayed. In addition, the contact stated there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle functioned normally. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The failure mileage was unknown.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 10, 2024CA

My Cadillac Cue screen is frozen and cracking, and apply play and GPS are no longer visible on the screen when driving. Instead, I would have to look down at my phone while I’m driving to use the gps.

Air Bags
Filed Jan 19, 2024FL

My air bag light randomly appeared and has been on for at about year now the dealership wants me to pay a ridiculous amount of money for all of these safety hazards including to fix my “airbag sensor” when I have never used the airbags. I am the one and only owner of the car which I purchased directly from the Ed Morse bayview Cadillac dealership. Faulty airbags and or sensors are a huge safety hazard. I need to know my airbags are working correctly as well as the sensors not only for my safety but as well as my child. My car has recently been diagnosed with serious transmission problems which include a vibration at 50 mph shuddering erratically and frequently to the point it is scary to drive. the transmission going out could cause me to get into an accident or be stuck in the road and put into danger which is another safety hazard. Lastly, The electric CUE screen is supposed to be used for safety for many reasons which include hands-free directions when you are lost and can use gps without having to use your phone while driving. You need the CUE screen to be able to access the radio for alerts and warnings. You need the CUE screen to able to use your phone hands-free to prevent accidents. The CUE screen is defective. The screens they use cannot withstand the heat and they sell you the car knowing the screens don’t last and will crack and no longer have the touch screen ability to control or use any of the features for our safety.

Electrical System
Filed Sep 28, 2023CA

The Cadillac CUE Infotainment system has failed for the second time. Device was replaced 2 years ago

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 4, 2023AL

My headlight bulbs have been replaced and checked 2x by the used auto superstore which I will not name at this time ! and by the manufacturer (dealer) but once it’s dark out and the automatic brights come on and either both or one side goes completely out only to come back on sometimes or not at all which is very dangerous especially at night !

Service Brakes
Filed May 16, 202250,098 milesCA

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH and attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was very stiff and hard to depress causing the braking distance to be extended. The contact drove off the roadway to avoid a collision and activated the parking brake and shifted to park(P) causing the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop. During the failure the “Service Brake Assist" message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,098.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 5, 2022HI

Cadillac ATS is sold with a faulty driver console. The console is known as the Cadillac User Experience (CUE). Faulty-console is a serious safety issue for the following reasons: 1. Driver distractions: loss of navigation and unexpected changes in radio and air-conditioning are constant distractions. These distractions take the driver's attention away from the roadway. They also force driver's to make unexpected stops on highways and roadways. 2. Customer profile: Cadillac ATS customers are mostly seniors and mature individuals. Constant distractions have amplified impact. Considering the above major factors, the faulty console is a safety issue due to constant distractions. We paid $1,065.30 to replace the faulty CUE screen for something that must be recalled. There are many references made to faulty CUE consoles

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 3, 2022HI

Cadillac ATS is sold with a faulty driver console. The console is known as the Cadillac User Experience (CUE). Faulty-console is a serious safety issue for the following reasons: 1. Driver distractions: loss of navigation and unexpected changes in radio and air-conditioning are constant distractions. These distractions take the driver's attention away from the roadway. They also force driver's to make unexpected stops on highways and roadways. 2. Customer profile: Cadillac ATS customers are mostly seniors and mature individuals. Constant distractions have amplified impact. Considering the above major factors, the faulty console is a safety issue due to constant distractions. We paid $1,065.30 to replace the faulty CUE screen for something that must be recalled. There are many references made to faulty CUE consoles on the internet and its time for NHTSA to take a step forward and call these faulty consoles and constant distractions a safety issue.

Power Train
Filed Oct 5, 2021TX

Transmission causes car to shudder or shake/vibrate at lower speeds and lower rpm (auto shifting) It's been like this since it was purchased. If you perform manual shifting at 2500 RPM's or higher you don't experience the same shake/vibration. Ron Craft Cadillac says it's performing as expected.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 30, 2020DE

THE CUE ON MY CADILLAC 2018 ATS JUST STOP WORKING , I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT MILLIONS ,OF CADILLAC OWNERS CUE HAS STOPPED WORKING. MY CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES, I GOT IT NEW IN 2018 JUNE. PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS PROBLEM. MY NAME IS[XXX] ,EMAIL ADDRESS [XXX] PHONE [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Sep 20, 201933,000 milesAZ

THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DROPS TO E. THE TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY DOES NOT WORK AT TIMES YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE CAR TO GET IT TO WORK.

Power Train
Filed Sep 2, 201910,000 milesFL

AT MAJOR INTERSECTION WAS AT A STOP RED LIGHT. BEGAN ACCELERATING VEHICLE STALLED AND THE LIGHT ENGINE TURNED ON, TRANSMISSION STUCK AT FIRST GEAR AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 20MPH. THIS HAPPENED AS I TRIED PASSING A VEHICLE IN FRONT TO LATER MAKE A TURN. THE CAR HAS HAD THIS ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES. REPORTED TO CADILLAC THEY ASKED THAT I REPORT AS A LEMON MEANWHILE THIS IS A LEASE VEHICLE.

20 of 32 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2013
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20192000Routine
201821200Routine
2017 — this page32200Routine
201632300Routine
201529400Routine
2014104420Routine
2013160600Routine

Compare every Ats year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Mar 20, 2025. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.