VehicleVerdict

2013 Cadillac ATS transmission problems

The 2013 Cadillac ATS has 46 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 18% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

46

Transmission complaints

18%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Transmission complaints by year

ATS transmission complaints by model year46 complaints2013: 46 complaints2014: 28 complaints2015: 5 complaints2016: 10 complaints2017: 5 complaints2018: 6 complaints
ATS transmission complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

14V338000TransmissionJune 19, 2014 · 90,750 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to March 20, 2014, and 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, to March 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14179.

What owners report

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 18, 2013 · crash

Common questions

How many transmission complaints does the 2013 Cadillac ATS have?

NHTSA has 46 complaints about the 2013 Cadillac ATS transmission — 18% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2013 Cadillac ATS transmission?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the transmission: 14V338000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.