10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
37,935 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2013 Cadillac ATS drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2013 Cadillac ATS Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #20

Jun 012017

ATS

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Improper rear differential ring gear weld. There is a gap that is not properly sealed on rear differential housing that causes fluids to leak.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #19

Nov 112016

ATS

  • 42,199 miles
From 3/2013 to 3/2019 a 3 year period I have replaced all tires 3 times due to irregular wear inside, now experiencing roaring noise from read wheel. Tires were continually rotated during regular services with the rear passenger tire light illuminated showing low pressure low, dealer was advised on each occurrence prior to receiving service. The transmission shift cable disengaged on 8/31/2018 the dealer charged me for repairs when this was part of a recall prior to my owning the car, and was not available to me at the time of purchase carfax did not disclose

- Pearland, TX, USA

problem #18

Jun 162018

ATS

  • 99,207 miles
Related to NHTSA campaign number: 14V338000. On the afternoon of June 16, 2018, my 2013 Cadillac Ats stuck in neutral. Backed out of a parking place in a parking garage and attempted to shift from reverse to drive and the shifter stuck in neutral. Shifter would move freely but not change gears out of neutral. The car could have rolled forward over the edge of the parking garage and down a hill which was not safe. I had to apply the parking brake and turn the car off to keep if from rolling forward. Called for a tow truck. Tow truck driver arrived to tow car and recognized the problem as a disconnected shift cable. He was able to reconnect the shift cable. On June 17, drove the car to dealership (classic Cadillac in anniston, al) and parked at dealership for dealer to inspect shift cable and determine the current status. Dealer determined the shifter cable connecter needed to be replaced. Dealer repaired the shifter cable but said it did not relate to recall number 14V338000. Contact GM customer service to review the issue as it appeared to relate to this recall. GM customer service also said the repair was not covered under this recall. In reading the recall notice and the issue with my car, they appear related.

- Fultondale, AL, USA

problem #17

Jul 262016

ATS

  • 52,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My sunroof will not close while parked my car did not start. The gauges and lights came on, but the car would not start while parked my defrost doesn't work on the front window when raining. The windshield is foggy while driving

- Novi, MI, USA

problem #16

Feb 102016

ATS 4-cyl

  • 29,081 miles
Driving on 71 in columbus oh to mansfield oh going 70 mph on highway and at ex 173 started snowing heavy, traffic came to hault at 10 mph, had.09 miles to exit, got to exit made a right off exit started up a hill in snow at 30 mph and before making it up the hill the car stopped in middle of one lane rd. And display said...no power steering... called 911 three times, waited outside in snow for hr and half for them to tow car to bill harris auto 419-289-2000 in ashland oh five mi down rd. Next day they couldnt duplicate the problem so they couldnt fix it. I told them I dont feel safe in car and that I could have died if going any faster, it stopped without any warning. He said he would give me $10 thous towards another vehicle when car is worth $20,500. In my excellent shape. I said why is it only worth that, he said becuase I said it wasnt safe to drive and that he couldnt sell a car if it wasnt safe. This isnt my fault for the power steering to go out, there are 15 complaints online at www.2013atscadillacpowersteeringproblems. why isnt there a recall? I want something done about this, I have escalated claim to GM and want GM to do a repurchase or a buy back. I shouldnt feel danger when I get in my car. [xxx] please contact me at [xxx]address is [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Ashley, OH, USA

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problem #15

Sep 182014

ATS

  • 6,536 miles
Transmission issues. Rattling under the chassis that sounds like someone grabs the drive shaft and shakes it when the clutch is pushed at slow speeds ie moving up at a stop sign, in traffic etc. Defective dual mass flywheel was found after the service department told me my claims were up to factory standards. After taking apart the transmission (at less that 10K miles) gears 1-4 were found to be defective as well. The vehicle still has shifting issues and a loud rattle. I road tested a 2015 manual Ats and it drove smooth with no rattles. I was told the 2015 would drive the same once it hit 10K miles like mine which is a ridiculous statement. Vehicle has also shut off while in traffic, and upon restarting the vehicle I no longer had an power steering. I do not feel safe in this vehicle for myself or my children. There are many reports of issues with the 2013-2014 manual Ats and records of GM buy backs. The service manager agrees there is an issue with the vehicle and recommended I call GM to initiate a buy back. But the service department insists this is factory standard and refuses to address the issues.

- Winchester, CA, USA

problem #14

Dec 042013

ATS

  • 5,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Ats. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle vibrated and hesitated to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on multiple occasions, but the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 5,000.

- Bethpage, NY, USA

problem #13

May 182013

ATS

  • 4,000 miles
I bought a 2013 Cadillac Ats in early 2013. In first month, it needed 3 battery jumps. It also has a problem with moving from drive into park. This is under recall as is a seatbelt issue I believe. I have had 2 accidents. 1 on a very busy crawling road Wisconsin ave, DC on a busy sat afternoon in bumper to bumper traffic when I started to accelerate and the force of my movement caused the truck in front of me to crash into another vehicle. Weird, but confusing. I had a similar episode this past week leaving my home. I was stopped in the street behind my son's truck. He started to move and I plowed into him causing massive damage to the Cadillac and significant damage to his truck as well, a very late model Chevy. I was not on the phone or the brake or changing the radio or in any way distracted during these episodes. There is something wrong with the car. It has 8000 miles on it in about 18 months.

- Potomac, MD, USA

problem #12

Apr 012013

ATS 6-cyl

  • 3,000 miles
The service engine soon, stabilitrak, and traction control lights continuously illuminate my dashboard. It has happened approximately 6 times. Each time the dealer has found basically nothing wrong, just replaced a spark plug each time, changed the oil, and cleared the codes. The car has stalled on multiple occasions. I was almost rear ended by someone because a light turned green and my car was stalled. Prior to it stalling it violently shakes, which is just a little bit more rough than the constant shaking it always does. Also recently it has been having trouble starting. Everything seems to be related and is getting worse. The dealer extended my warranty to almost 90,000 miles but I feel unsafe in this car because of all the problems that it has and all the new problems that keep coming up.

- Grayslake, IL, USA

problem #11

Feb 242014

ATS

  • 11,000 miles
I have experienced an intermittent shudder/jerkiness in the past month while driving the vehicle at low speeds. Today, while slowing and turning into a parking lot, the engine shut off and I coasted the vehicle into a parking space and stopped. I turned on the ignition and the car started immediately. When I got home I searched the internet for issues and found this thread on the Cadillac forums of others with similar problems: www.cadillacforums.com/forums/Cadillac-Ats-technical-discussion-forum/391273-2013-6-speed-manual-stalling-affected.html I called my local dealer and spoke with [xxx] in the service department. He said that they are aware of the shudder at low speeds and have a fix for that problem. He said that they have not heard of the vehicle actually stalling. I told him that he could read about it on the forum above. He asked me to bring my vehicle into the dealership to have some transmission parts replaced. I am concerned that this might only resolve the jerking, but not the stalling, which is a major safety issue. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Coconut Creek, FL, USA

problem #10

Jan 072014

ATS 4-cyl

  • 12,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When the vehicle is coming to a stop or slowing down with the car in either neutral or the clutch pressed all the way down, the vehicle will stall. The stall is not abrupt but very subtle. The car does not jerk forward but just dies without the driver knowing. Cannot tell that the vehicle has stalled until I try to re-engage gear and press the gas. Always happens at under 5 mph, right before the car has come to a stop or is rolling to a stop with the car in neutral or clutch pressed all the way down.

- Coppell, TX, USA

problem #9

Nov 232013

ATS 4-cyl

  • 1,822 miles
Cruising down a hill probably in neutral, car stalled silently with no bucking or noise, just died. Numerous attempts to start the car were unsuccessful. After easily 15 attempts and approximately 30 minutes the car started but was with family, at night on dark twisty and hilly road and did not feel confident to drive it. Had it towed ultimately for Cadillac service. In shop for more than a week, tech could not find or duplicate problem. Happened again a week or so later, in neutral coming to a red light, complete silent stall, after about 10 minutes and several attempts the car started and I drove back to Cadillac service. Again no problem found after in shop a few days. On my way home it happened again at a red light but started on first. I feel unsafe driving car, especially with family in it which I haven't done recently. First stall particularly was in a dangerous place and police would not let car stay on road and we pushed it off the major road. Unexpectedness and perhaps inability to restart quickly are frightening and a major safety issue.

- Galdwyne, PA, USA

problem #8

Aug 012013

ATS 4-cyl

  • 4,000 miles
Since buying this Cadillac Ats 2013, 2.0T rwd manual, vehicle new, the engine has stalled several times. The stalling occurs when the vehicle is idling in neutral (at stoplights, in traffic). The stalling happens in both warm and cold conditions. The stalling is not like normal manual transmission stalling where the vehicle lunges forward. The stalling is silent. You do not notice the vehicle has stalled until you put the car into gear and attempt to drive. The vehicle has been taken to a Cadillac dealership to inspect the issue (lindsay Cadillac of alexandria). The technicians were unable to reproduce the issue and there was no resolution. Approximate service date was 09/26/2013.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

problem #7

Mar 252013

ATS

  • 500 miles
The 6-speed manual Ats has an issue with stalling, usually when coasting to a stop, and less frequently on initial acceleration. It is not due to poor release practice with the clutch. The car will die unexpectedly when coasting, which kills the electric power steering, which makes for an unsafe situation. This happens infrequently, and I don't really know what combination of things leads to the stall. I have changed the way I drive the car in order to minimize coasting or using the transmission for deceleration. This helps, but there are still times when I get surprised at an intersection by the car being dead when I'm ready to accelerate. It is a very quiet car, especially at idle, so if I'm watching traffic and not the dash, it can die and I don't know it until I hit the gas again.

- Weatherford, TX, USA

problem #6

Nov 292013

ATS 4-cyl

  • 3,000 miles
My vehicle is a 6-speed manual...twice now in the last month it has stalled at a complete stop even the clutch is fully depressed.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #5

Jun 202013

ATS 4-cyl

  • 1,500 miles
When coasting to come to a stop the vehicle engine will stall/turn off. This has happened numerous times since the first incident in June. This is a 6 speed manual transmission equipped vehicle, and the transmission is either in neutral or the clutch pedal is depressed so that the engine/transmission are decoupled. I have been able to watch the tachometer when it has stalled twice, and then the engine just shuts off, very abruptly (no shaking, or noise). It has also happened when slowing to take a turn with the clutch pedal depressed, which is very difficult to get back started as you are trying to drive and not cause an accident (plus the steering wheel locks). I have reported this to the dealer, and they have tried to diagnose it, however no fix has happened. It will normally stall about once every week or so, it is very intermittent. The dealer went as far as to blame me for stalling the vehicle, they said I didn't disengage the clutch at a high enough RPM which is completely untrue and regardless the car was in neutral and I was coasting to a stop (therefore it would be impossible to stall the vehicle in gear). I am not the only one with this issue, there have been numerous people on forums complaining of the same issue. My car is currently in the lemon process with the BBB autoline program as this has happened multiple times. Dealer/GM can not duplicate the issue and has no idea what the problem is.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #4

Sep 042013

ATS 4-cyl

  • 70 miles
While driving my manual transmission cad Ats it stalls without warning or reason. It stalls mostly when in neutral, like when sitting at a red light, or pulling into a parking place. It also stalls when in first or second gear, like when turning a corner. I am not pulling the clutch out too soon and hence stalling the car myself, it does it all by itself! the car gives no warning shake or noise, it simply is off, often without my knowing it is off. This has happened to my brand new Ats since the second day of having it, and has ever since, approximately 7 weeks now. It occurs with the gas tank full, almost empty, and in between. It occurs on flat streets, and maybe at an incline. It occurs when cold in the morning, and after hours of driving. It occurs day and night, with and without passengers. The dealer has had the car in twice to investigate, with no luck. This is ridiculous!!

- Lomita, CA, USA

problem #3

Oct 042013

ATS

  • 420 miles
Vehicle quietly stalls and has happened numerous times since purchasing the vehicle less than a month ago. Brought it to the dealer but they basically just say it is designed to stall in certain instances which I believe is just nonsense and unsafe. I have read online that this is happening to other Ats owners so I know that this is a serious and unsafe issue with the 6spd Ats.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #2

Aug 012013

ATS

  • 4,000 miles
I have the 2013 Ats 2.0 turbo and I had a few issues with it.the first is steering, sometimes feels like power failure, its the only new car I owned when the car is off the wheel turns completely.also pulls to right.other issue I get banging noise when put in reverse, and a few times sounded like trans making race noise.the cue system is a joke, when my trial for xm ran out I tried to listen to fm rdi and that's a joke, I cant listen to one song, there's static eighty percent of times.other issues ride is horrible rides like a trans am and shakes when hit bumps.after coming out of a Acura and Honda I now know why I stayed away from GM.oh forgot the engine shakes at idle feels like stall, then revs up.all the dealer does is says meets designed function.I ask myself a car this expensive is it supposed to be crap.

- Oakland Park, FL, USA

problem #1

Jun 072013

ATS 4-cyl

  • 1,050 miles
Right turn from stop onto major 6-lane highway; no power to engine after engagement of accelerator; acted as though not in-drive gear; tachometer reved past 6K; foot off of pedal; transmission engaged; very slow return to normal operation; evasive action by other drivers following; no replication by dealer after 4-days of testing; returned vehicle to owner without explanation of problem.

- Mckinney, TX, USA

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