VehicleVerdict

2016 Cadillac ATS problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2016 Cadillac ATS sits mid-pack among ATS years: 45 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 42, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across transmission (10), electrical system (6), and tires & wheels (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

45

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other ATS years?

ATS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted255 complaints2013: 255 complaints2014: 141 complaints2015: 41 complaints2016: 45 complaints2017: 42 complaints2018: 26 complaints2019: 4 complaints
ATS NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all ATS years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Cadillac ATS problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission1022%
Electrical System613%
Airbags511%
Tires & Wheels511%
Steering49%
Engine49%
Visibility & Wipers24%
Brakes24%
Other24%
Speed Control24%
Suspension12%
Fuel System12%
Driver Assistance12%

Does the 2016 Cadillac ATS have recalls?

3 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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC ATS. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A GARAGE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR ACHES AND PAINS THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 5, 2019 · crash

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.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 5, 2021

The contact owned a 2016 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH and entering the expressway, she engaged the turn signal and verified that the road was cleared. The contact stated that while she was making the turn, an 18-wheeler truck suddenly hit the vehicle, causing the vehicle…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 7, 2024 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · March 13, 2020

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, A CAR WAS MERGING INTO MY LANE. I QUICKLY TURNED INTO THE NEXT AVAILABLE LANE AS IT WAS EMPTY, AND WHEN I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT, IT OVERCOMPENSATED AND VIOLENTLY TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, LEADING TO THE CAR SPINNING OUT ON THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · October 6, 2019 · crash

2016 Cadillac ATS — common questions

Is the 2016 Cadillac ATS reliable?

It is close to typical for the ATS: 45 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2016 ATS problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (10 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints), tires & wheels (5 complaints).

Does the 2016 Cadillac ATS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 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 2016 Cadillac ATS?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 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.