2018 Cadillac ATS Problems
- Complaints
- 22filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 28,899miles, 6 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- 4–5 / 5stars overall, 3 rated versions
- EPA fuel economy
- 23 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl RWD · 20 city / 29 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2018 Cadillac ATS (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2018 Cadillac ATS. The part named most often is transmission and drivetrain, with 7 complaints (32% of the total), followed by electrical system (3) and steering (3). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 28,899 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 1,057 technical service bulletins for this model year. Transmission and drivetrain complaints overlap with 126 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 199 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Electrical system3 14%
- Steering3 14%
- Air bags2 9.1%
- Exterior lighting2 9.1%
- Fuel system2 9.1%
- Other or unknown2 9.1%
- Engine1 4.5%
- Equipment1 4.5%
- Body and structure1 4.5%
Also reported: Suspension (1), Tires (1).
Example complaints
Transmission and drivetrain: “Rear differential. This part will be available after removal. This put me at risk of potentially locking up while driving. According to the dealership, Faulkner Cadillac, found rear differential bearings damaged, causing noise in the rear end. The Rear Differential will need replaced. There were no warning lights, but there was noise - a new, not normal noise I noticed two weeks prior to the diagnostic procedure by the dealership service department. This is the second rear differential failure. The service writer said there was no sign of leakage.”
NHTSA complaint #11672691, filed 2025-07Steering: “The power steering will randomly stop working while driving! We have had it in the shop 3 times and they can't find anything! We have replaced alternator, battery and it still isn't fixed! I seen u had a recall on the 16, 17, and some 18s for this issue! We have always bought GMs and are very disappointed! Could u please! Fix this issue on our car! Our car must have been over looked on this issue!”
NHTSA complaint #11637598, filed 2025-01Air bags: “The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while the front passenger’s side seat was occupied, the air bag (SRS) restraint system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the presence module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11528452, filed 2023-06, 19,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
67% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 19,000 and 59,800 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2018 Cadillac ATS. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATS · sedan AWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 10.1% risk |
| ATS · sedan RWD | ★★★★★ | 5 / 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 10.1% risk |
| ATS-V · sedan RWD | ★★★★☆ | 4 / 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 · 10.1% risk |
Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2018 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.
Neighbouring years: 2017: 5 stars overall. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2018 Cadillac ATS version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ATS RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 22 | 31 | 25 | $3,300 |
| ATS RWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 6-speed manual | 20 | 29 | 23 | $3,550 |
| ATS RWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 20 | 30 | 24 | $2,800 |
| ATS AWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 22 | 30 | 25 | $3,300 |
| ATS AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 19 | 27 | 22 | $3,050 |
| ATS-V RWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| ATS-V RWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 25V175000Mar 20, 2025Steering › Electric power assist systemCovers: Cadillac ATS 2017–2018, CTS 2016–2018, Chevrolet Corvette 2017–2018 +1 more
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.
- 18V358000May 31, 2018Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Cadillac ATS 2018, GMC Canyon 2015–2018, Chevrolet Malibu 2016–2018 +6 more
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel…
Recall details for the 2018 Cadillac ATS → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 1,057 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11037555Sep 26, 2026Other or unknown. This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it.
- 11037550Sep 21, 2026Other or unknown. This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
- 11037253Sep 4, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11035340Jul 21, 2026Other or unknown. PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- 11030974Apr 1, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
- 11030092Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- 11030091Mar 9, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11027689Jan 12, 2026Other or unknown. This PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal harness to prevent confusion when ordering
- 11027601Jan 8, 2026Other or unknown. This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance.
- 11025755Nov 20, 2025Other or unknown. This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit…
Other model years of the Cadillac ATS
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 22 | 28,899 | 2 | 4–5 | 23 | — | Rising |
| 2017 | 33 | 27,700 | 2 | 5 | 25 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2016 | 32 | 25,750 | 3 | 5 | 25 | 37 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 30 | 60,000 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 30 · Fewer | Stable |
| 2014 | 104 | 38,000 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 100 · More | Falling |
| 2013 | 161 | 33,375 | 6 | 5 | 23 | 100 · More | Stable |
All Cadillac ATS model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2018 Cadillac ATS have?
NHTSA recorded 22 consumer complaints for the 2018 Cadillac ATS as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2018 Cadillac ATS is reported most often?
Transmission and drivetrain is named most often, in 7 complaints (32% of the total), followed by electrical system with 3.
Has the 2018 Cadillac ATS been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How did the 2018 Cadillac ATS do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2018 Cadillac ATS 4–5 out of 5 stars overall, across 3 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Cadillac ATS get?
The EPA rates the 2018 Cadillac ATS (ATS, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 23 mpg combined, 20 city and 29 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2018 Cadillac ATS reported?
Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 28,899 miles and the middle half falls between 19,000 and 59,800 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.