Research · Compact Cars

2014 Cadillac ATSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 104 owner complaints for the 2014 Cadillac ATS. Most complaints involve power train (30) and electrical system (18). The EPA rates it 21–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
21–26mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Sep 2015
Owner complaints
104
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Visibility: defroster

Free remedy

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.

VisibilityReported Sep 3, 2015NHTSA 15V558000

Visibility: sun

Free remedy

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."

VisibilityReported Jul 24, 2015NHTSA 15V463000

Seats

Free remedy

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.

SeatsReported Jul 23, 2014NHTSA 14V446000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

104 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2014 – Aug 2026
  1. Power train30
  2. Electrical system18
  3. Engine14
  4. Steering10
  5. Air bags7
  6. Suspension5
  7. Wheels5
  8. Visibility/wiper5
  9. Tires3

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

By model year

Complaints for each ATS model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2013161
2014104
201530
201635
201733
201822
20192
Crashes reported
6
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
10
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

30 reports1 crash
“In August 2026, at approximately 99,639 miles, my 2014 Cadillac ATS was taken to an authorized Cadillac dealership for service. During the inspection, the dealership discovered and diagnosed a leaking right rear axle shaft seal. I was not aware of the leak beforehand and did not receive a warning light or message indicating the condition. The dealership’s written repair order states that the right rear axle shaft seal was leaking and that the right rear axle seal was replaced. The repair was completed at my expense. I have the dealership repair order and invoice documenting the diagnosis, mileage, parts replaced, and repair. After the repair, I researched this issue and found other NHTSA consumer complaints involving rear axle/differential seal leakage on 2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles. I also found GM manufacturer communications addressing rear axle leakage on certain Cadillac ATS vehicles. I am reporting this failure so NHTSA has a record of another rear axle seal leak involving a Cadillac ATS and can determine whether this condition may represent a broader defect or safety trend. I do not know the specific underlying cause of the seal failure and am not…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2026Power trainODI 11759033

Electrical system

18 reports
“service rear view camera message on randomly and then the camera goes blank. Independent service center diagnostic scan reported: FAULT B127B Rearview camera input signal circuit missing reference (Symptom 2B) - History DTC.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 28, 2026Electrical systemODI 11740633

Engine

14 reports2 fires
“My engine RPM would randomly lock to 4000 rpms while driving, i could rev the car or apply the brakes but it will sit their until it decides to respond. This has happened a few times and mostly down hill and flats. Difficult to replicate. Cooling system has been a plague at around 80k miles i've had to replace a clamp at the back near the water outlet flange which i was quoted $2000 for just the labor alone as the engine would need to be removed.And the water pump failed at around 82000 miles. Also plagued with P06DE "Engine Oil Pressure Control Circuit Stuck On" error code a few times now.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2024Power train, EngineODI 11575648
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 3.6L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
ATS
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
223226$2,400344
ATS
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
213024$2,600367
ATS
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
192923$2,700389
ATS AWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202923$2,700386
ATS
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
182722$2,850412
ATS AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive
182621$2,950428
  • ATS
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    22 city · 32 hwy · $2,400/yr
    26
    mpg comb.
  • ATS
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 30 hwy · $2,600/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • ATS
    Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    19 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • ATS AWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 29 hwy · $2,700/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • ATS
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 27 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • ATS AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.6 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Cadillac ATS 4 DR AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Overall
5 / 5
Cadillac ATS 4 DR RWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
5 of 5
Rollover risk
10.1%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 8043Vehicle 8042
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 ATS questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Cadillac ATS have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2014 Cadillac ATS problems?

Owners filed 104 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (30), electrical system (18), engine (14). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Cadillac ATS get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Cadillac ATS at 21–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

How safe is the 2014 Cadillac ATS?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2014 Cadillac ATS 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026