Steering: electric power assist system
Free remedy
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.
Research · Compact Cars
2017 Cadillac ATSRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 33 owner complaints for the 2017 Cadillac ATS. Most complaints involve steering (13) and electrical system (6). The EPA rates it 22–26 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.
Combined MPG
22–26mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Mar 2025
Owner complaints
33
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$2,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Steering: electric power assist system
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
33 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2018 – Oct 2026
- Steering13
- Electrical system6
- Power train5
- Engine3
- Air bags2
- Service brakes2
- Wheels1
- Back over prevention1
- Exterior lighting1
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 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Steering
13 reports
“My 2017 Cadillac ATS had the Electric Power Steering failed and I found a recall for the same year make and model went to the dealer and they said my vin isn't part of that recall but this vehicle has 49K miles and there was no reason it failed. They need to expand the recall.”
Electrical system
6 reports
“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
5 reports
“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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
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 (S8) · Manual 6-spd
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline · Premium 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
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATS Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | $2,400 | 347 |
| ATS Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 | 31 | 25 | $3,100 | 349 |
| ATS AWD Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive | 22 | 30 | 25 | $3,100 | 358 |
| ATS Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 30 | 24 | $2,600 | 376 |
| ATS Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | $3,350 | 379 |
| ATS AWD Auto (S8), 6 cyl, 3.6 L · All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | $2,850 | 399 |
- 26mpg comb.
- 25mpg comb.
- 25mpg comb.
- 24mpg comb.
- 23mpg comb.
- 22mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
4 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5Cadillac 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 11525Vehicle 11524Vehicle 11277
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2017 ATS questions
How many recalls does the 2017 Cadillac ATS have?
2 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 2017 Cadillac ATS problems?
Owners filed 33 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (13), electrical system (6), power train (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2017 Cadillac ATS get?
The EPA rates the 2017 Cadillac ATS at 22–26 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).
How safe is the 2017 Cadillac ATS?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Cadillac ATS 5 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026