Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Cadillac ATS problems

Owners filed 35 complaints about the 2016 Cadillac ATS with NHTSA between Jul 2017 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is power train (11).

Complaints
35
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
5
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train11
  2. Electrical system7
  3. Air bags5
  4. Steering4
  5. Wheels4
  6. Engine4
  7. Visibility/wiper2
  8. Service brakes2
  9. Vehicle speed control2
  10. Suspension1
  11. Fuel/propulsion system1
  12. Back over prevention1
  13. Engine and engine cooling1
  14. Seats1

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20172
20183
20197
20208
20213
20221
20232
20243
20253
20263

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Power train

11 reports1 crash
“NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V558000 Rear Defogger Coil Antenna Module may Overheat If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, not sure what is happening but car does seem to overheat off and on especially when radio is turned on”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 17, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11744660

Electrical system

7 reports1 fire
“Transmission drags. When stopping the car jerks bad and sometimes proceeds to accelerate. When at a stop auto start has a hard jerk I reported this problem to Cadillac dealership when I first got the car. They claim they couldn't find an issue. The touch pad goes out frequently.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2024Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11575697

Air bags

5 reports1 crash1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that the message "Service Air Bag" was displayed, and the passenger's side seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2025Air bagsODI 11638325

Steering

4 reports1 crash
“My 2016 Cadillac ATS Coupe has a serious repeating safety defect. The vehicle violently shakes, vibrates, and becomes unstable while driving. This happened TWICE. Both times the rear bolts came out except one. Both mechanics who inspected it said they have NEVER seen this before. The first time, I paid $4,000 out of pocket at another shop. The problem happened again, proving this is a manufacturing defect. My AXP diagnostic on November 4, 2025 confirms major rear differential/axle issues. The vehicle is unsafe and undrivable. One mechanic told me DO NOT DRIVE IT. Cadillac told me the opposite — “safe to pick up” — even though they did no real diagnostic. Cadillac refused to give anything in writing, refused a loaner, and ignored multiple emails. A Cadillac representative told me they reviewed the previous calls, meaning they know the full history. They still refused to fix the dangerous defect. I have paid over $33k, paid $4k for the first repair, still owe $7k, and Cadillac now wants another $7k for the same issue. This is a major safety risk to me and other drivers.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 24, 2025Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11701363

Wheels

4 reports
“WHEN OPERATING MY VEHICLE INTO DRIVE MANY TIMES WHEN TURNING THE FRONT WHEELS THE CAR LOOSE IT POWER AND STALLS. THIS CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS WHEN TURNING VEHICLE INTO OTHER CROSS SECTIONS OR SMIPLY TURNING. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS BEFORE SOMETHING SERIOUS HAPPENHIS. THIS INCIDENT OCCURS WHEN STATIONARY OR MOVING FORWARD SLOWLY. I WAS MOVING FORWARD OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND INTO ON GOING TRAFFIC. LUCKLY I WAS ABLE TO BAGBACK INTO DRIVEWAY .”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2020Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Service brakesODI 11317835

Engine

4 reports
“WHILE ARRIVING AT STOP LIGHTS THE CADDILLAC ROUGHLY SHIFTS DOWN JOLTING THE WHOLE VEHICLE. AROUND 1500 RPMS WHETHER ITS SITTING OR JUST PASSING 1500 RPMS THE WHOLE VEHICLE SHUTTERS AND VIBRATES AGGRESIVELY UNTIL AROUND 2000 RPM. RPMS JUMP UP AND DOWN BETWEEN 1000 AND 3000 RPMS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 15, 2020Power train, Electrical system, EngineODI 11383582
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026

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