Problems · by component

2013 Cadillac ATS steering problems

25 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Cadillac ATS cite steering, 16% of all 161 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
25
16% of all complaints
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“Vehicle would not steer lost power steering and loud noise. Had the vehicle towed to a mechanic. The mechanic informed me that the bolts for the electronic power steering had corroded causing the electronic steering motor to fall. He told me that it is a problem with these cars and gave me a reference number (N202301950) I called GM and they said it was not a recall it was a service bulletin which I never received and is now expired. The vehicle needs a whole new Electric Power Steering Rack and Pinion Assembly due to the faulty corroded GM Bolts not to mention that I could have died or someone else could have been killed due to losing the ability to steer the vehicle because of the faulty GM parts. GM said it is my responsibility to pay for repairs which is thousands of dollars again due to their faulty parts and no fault of my own also not normal wear and tear.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2025Steering, Electrical systemODI 11681368
“I had a total loss of steering about two weeks ago, scariest thing ever in my 50 years of driving. A local automotive shop inspected the car and found one steering motor bolt missing and two broken/sheared laying in their casting holes.General Motors issued a Customer Satisfaction Program 18207 – Loss of Power Steering Assist directive for steering rack inspection and repair and/or replacement. My 2013 Cadillac ATS had the bolt failure exactly as described in the directive but is not covered as the directive program was in effect until November 30, 2020 and has expired. It was and is still a poor engineering design by GM engineering and it still effects those of us operating the models listed in GM CSP 18207. This should have been a recall and not have had an end date of 11/30/2020. I'm sure there are many owners like myself that were never notified by General Motors of this design flaw as it was never a formal recall. I would ask that the NHTSA review Customer Satisfaction Program 18207 as the loss of electric steering due to poor engineering design along with the safety of owners driving the affected vehicles still poses a danger and could seriously injure or…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 4, 2025SteeringODI 11634096
“While out driving, the vehicle would not shift gear into park upon arriving at a parking lot. The car was transported to an nearby garage and the transmission shift cable was found to be melted/severed upon undercarriage inspection. This is a recall for other models of 2013-2014 ATS. 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2021Steering, Unknown or otherODI 11433357
“THE VEHICLE WAS LEAVING A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE POWER STEERING JUST STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THE SERVICE POWER STEERING LIGHT CAME ON ANDHAD TO GET THE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE POWER STEERING BOLTS CORRODED AND IN ORDER TO REMOVED THEM HE HAD TO REMOVE THE RACK AND PINION AND ALSO FOUND THOSE BOLTS TO BE CORRODED. MY DAUGHTER WAS USING THE VEHICLE AND USUALLY TRAVELS ON THE HIGHWAY TO WORK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 8, 2021Steering, SuspensionODI 11399813
“POWER STEERING JUST WENT OUT ON THE VEHICLE. WE STARTED THE VEHICLE TODAY WITH 73,000 MILES AND WHEN WE WENT TO PULL OFF ONCE IN DRIVE THE CAR GAVE A POWER STEERING WARNING APPEARED. WHEN WE TRY TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL IT MAKES THIS LOUD SQUEALING COMPUTERIZED SOUNDING NOISE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 30, 2020Steering, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11352163
“TAKATA RECALL THERE HAS BEEN NO "INCIDENT" RE THE 2013 ATS. THE ISSUE ORIGINATED WITH RECALL NOTICES TO MY DEALER AND TO ME RE (1) STEERING (2) AIR BAGS (3) BRAKES. THE AIRBAG ISSUE INVOLVES CONTINUAL WARNING BY LIGHT AND BY SOUND RE THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG. DEALER SECRETARY STATES THAT SHE HAS NOTICES FOR ALL THREE (ABOVE) TO BE RECALLED. DEALER GARAGE, HOWEVER, STATES THAT THE ONLY RECALL WAS STEERING AND HAVE RECENTLY REPAIRED THE STEERING. I RECALL RECEIVING RECALL NOTICES AT MY HOME BUT NO LONGER HAVE THEM. AND SO, COMPLAINANT IS SEEKING TO LEARN WHETHER THE BRAKES AND THE AIR BAG WARNING NEED ADDRESSING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 16, 2019Steering, Air bags, Service brakesODI 11255602

Showing 6 of 25 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.