VehicleVerdict

2014 Cadillac ATS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 141 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median ATS year — the 2014 model ranks #2 of 7 ATS years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 19 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (28), other (25), and electrical system (22), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

141

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

19

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2014 compare to other ATS years?

ATS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted255 complaints2013: 255 complaints2014: 141 complaints2015: 41 complaints2016: 45 complaints2017: 42 complaints2018: 26 complaints2019: 4 complaints
ATS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2014 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all ATS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2014 Cadillac ATS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission2820%
Other2518%
Electrical System2216%
Engine1511%
Steering107%
Tires & Wheels86%
Airbags75%
Visibility & Wipers54%
Suspension54%
Speed Control32%
Lighting21%
Body & Structure21%
Brakes21%
Fuel System21%
Driver Assistance21%
Seats21%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2014 Cadillac ATS have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

15V558000Visibility & WipersSeptember 3, 2015 · 96,145 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electronic Climate Control module to remove the automatic rear defogger "on" function, free of charge. The recall began on October 16, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15299.

15V463000Visibility & WipersJuly 24, 2015 · 63,665 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

Because the switch is not recessed, the roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed resulting in unintended auto-closure of the roof panel, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy

GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the roof console accessory switch trim plate, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15568. Note this recall supersedes 15V-106.

14V446000SeatsJuly 23, 2014 · 124,007 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON AN INCLINE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE HEARD AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL BACKWARDS WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 8, 2015 · crash

WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE; DROVE INTO ROUGH MEDIAN GOING AT A DOWNHILL ANGLE. HIT TWO CULVERTS (MADE OF STEEL AND CONCRETE), ONE OF WHICH SENT THE CAR AIRBORNE. THE CAR LANDED INTO ONCOMING INTERSTATE TRAFFIC AND DID A 180 TURN BEFORE COMING TO A REST. THE STRUT CAME UP THROUGH THE HOOD…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 7, 2017 · crash

I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR CRASH ON 8-11-14. MY HUSBAND BROUGHT MY A 2014 CADILLAC ATS FOR MY BIRTHDAY. A FEW MONTHS AFTER OWNERSHIP I NOTICED THAT WHEN IT RAINED THE CAR WOULD HYDROPLANE, BUT THE STABILITRAK WOULD MAKE THE VEHICLE JUMP BACK INTO IT'S LANE I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE LEASE MAINTENANCE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 11, 2014 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 CADILLAC ATS. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE INCREASED AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF SMOKE WAS PRESENT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRAMAN MIAMI…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 30, 2019 · fire

VEHICLE WANDERS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON LEVEL ROADS, CAN'T KEEP IT IN A STRAIGHT LINE. DEALER REFUSES TO RECTIFY, SAYS THAT IT IS NORMAL, SINCE THEIR OTHER MODELS ARE THE SAME. IT IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION SINCE YOU ARE AFRAID TO BLINK AND MAY END UP IN ANOTHER LANE OF TRAFFIC. JUST USING IT FOR CITY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · February 13, 2014

2014 Cadillac ATS — common questions

Is the 2014 Cadillac ATS reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 141 complaints put the 2014 model at #2 of 7 ATS years. It is one of the ATS years to avoid.

What are the most common 2014 ATS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (28 complaints), other (25 complaints), electrical system (22 complaints).

Does the 2014 Cadillac ATS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2014 Cadillac ATS. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Cadillac ATS years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the ATS years to avoid are 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among ATS years belongs to 2019.

How safe is the 2014 Cadillac ATS?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2014 Cadillac ATS earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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.