VehicleVerdict

2015 Cadillac ATS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2015 Cadillac ATS sits mid-pack among ATS years: 41 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 42, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across steering (6), electrical system (6), and other (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

41

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2015 compare to other ATS years?

ATS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted255 complaints2013: 255 complaints2014: 141 complaints2015: 41 complaints2016: 45 complaints2017: 42 complaints2018: 26 complaints2019: 4 complaints
ATS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2015 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all ATS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2015 Cadillac ATS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System615%
Steering615%
Transmission512%
Other512%
Lighting410%
Fuel System37%
Brakes37%
Airbags25%
Suspension25%
Tires & Wheels25%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Speed Control12%
Engine12%

Does the 2015 Cadillac ATS have recalls?

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

26V329000AirbagsMay 21, 2026 · 4,125 units

Defect

General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.

Consequence

An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N262555870. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026.

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.

15V358000BrakesJune 9, 2015 · 2,163 units

Defect

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles. The affected vehicles have a bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the brakes that may fracture during normal brake pedal operation.

Consequence

If the bracket fractures, the driver would not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected bracket, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15352.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

ON FEBRUARY 22ND 2021 THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING WAS WET AND THE ENTIRE WIRING HAD COMPLETELY BURNED OUT. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS REPAIRS DONE ON THIS VEHICLE FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED IT TO THE PRESENT DATE.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 22, 2021

FIRST IN LINE WHILE STOPPED AT A LEFT-TURN LIGHT ON A CITY STREET. LIGHT TURNED GREEN, BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. MID-WAY THROUGH THE TURN, HEARD A "POP", LOST STEERING CONTROL, AND THE REAR END SPUN CAR INTO THE CURB. KEEP IN MIND THIS IS A 4-WHEEL-DRIVE CAR. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP, THE NOSE OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 12, 2015 · crash

THE VEHICLE CUE SCREEN CRACKING. I HAD THE SCREEN REPLACED IN 2017 AND NOW THE SCREEN IS CRACKED.*DT CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A LAWSUIT AGAINST GM FOR USING PLASTIC SCREENS FROM 2012 CADILLAC MODELS WHEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED. CURRENTLY CADILLAC IS CHARGING $1,000 TO $2,000 TO REPAIR THE SCREEN.*JB…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 15, 2020

FIRST IN LINE WHILE STOPPED AT A LEFT-TURN LIGHT ON A CITY STREET. LIGHT TURNED GREEN, BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. MID-WAY THROUGH THE TURN, HEARD A "POP", LOST STEERING CONTROL, AND THE REAR END SPUN CAR INTO THE CURB. KEEP IN MIND THIS IS A 4-WHEEL-DRIVE CAR. WHEN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP, THE NOSE OF THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 12, 2015 · crash

I received a warning message : Right low beam light failure. I took the car to the deal and was quoted a price of $900.00 to replace the light. This is a safety issue and should not cost that much to replace a light. Searching the web, that is an average price for this type of repair???

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · September 15, 2023

2015 Cadillac ATS — common questions

Is the 2015 Cadillac ATS reliable?

It is close to typical for the ATS: 41 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2015 ATS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are steering (6 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints), other (5 complaints).

Does the 2015 Cadillac ATS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2015 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 2015 Cadillac ATS?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2015 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.