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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2018 Cadillac ATS Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
32%of 22 total for the year
Median mileage
84,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Cadillac ATS, 32% of the 22 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 84,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 2025-07

“The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal growling sound coming from the vehicle. The contact looked underneath the vehicle, checked the tires, and checked the inside of the vehicle but found no failure. The contact continued to drive the vehicle and heard an abnormal winding or rubber sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #11557178, filed 2023-11, 84,000 miles

“The vehicle has suffered a severe mechanical failure of the rear differential assembly, rendering it completely undrivable. This mechanical failure is a direct result of a known manufacturer defect documented in General Motors Technical Service Bulletin PIP5898/PIP5898B, regarding misoriented factory side bearing retaining snap rings that block internal oil ports, leading to fluid leaks, severe fluid starvation, and eventual component seizure. The component failure poses an extreme safety hazard to myself and other motorist. …”

NHTSA complaint #11769806, filed 2026-10

“2018 cadillac ats (most of the cadillac vehicles reported same issue). The transmission fluid is wrong fluid by manufacturer and driving at regular speed all of a sudden it starts shuddering and loses power or slows down at freeway speeds or any local roads. took the car for inspection to a local dealer and they said it is the transmission fluid which has to be upgraded and charged me hundreds of dollars. But how it is not recalled by GM since they sold the cars with wrong transmission fluid which is causing these issues?”

NHTSA complaint #11504832, filed 2023-02

“Transmission shudder noticed between 42 to 48 mph. It appears the transmission is shaking, it seems to be continually shifting between gears in the 42 to 48 mph range.”

NHTSA complaint #11467229, filed 2022-06

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2018732%
2017515%
20161031%
2015517%
20143029%
20134629%

Other parts of the 2018 Cadillac ATS

Electrical system
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Air bags
2 complaints
Exterior lighting
2 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Other or unknown
2 complaints
Engine
1 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints
Suspension
1 complaints
Tires
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Cadillac ATS

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology