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#BS-2013-CADATS-45652013 Cadillac AtsProblems, Recalls & Reliability
Based on reports from 256 owners and 6 recalls for this exact model.
Data updated ·NHTSA complaints through October 28, 2026
Preliminary Verdict
Think Twice
Based on 256 complaints, 16 crashes, 0 fires, and 6 recalls.
Top reported problems
cadillac cue glitchy and freezing
3 complaints • Severity 8.7/10
engine failure
3 complaints • Severity 9.3/10
improper differential ring gear weld
2 complaints • Severity 8/10
died while driving
2 complaints • Severity 7/10
engine runs rough
2 complaints • Severity 9/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
49 owners reported engine issues — failures commonly reported around 19K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (113 reports) • Median: 19K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Engine (49 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2013 Cadillac Ats: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 19% of all reports filed for the 2013 Cadillac Ats, with 49 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 19,132 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 19K-mile mark.
Drivetrain Issues
Drivetrain complaints account for 16% of all reports filed for the 2013 Cadillac Ats, with 42 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to drivetrain-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Electrical Issues
Electrical complaints account for 14% of all reports filed for the 2013 Cadillac Ats, with 36 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to electrical-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 10% of all reports filed for the 2013 Cadillac Ats, with 25 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to steering-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2013 Cadillac Ats. Recent trend: decreasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (6 recalls)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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.
SEATS
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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to March 1, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to May 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and passenger lap belt pretensioner cables may not lock in a retracted position, allowing the seat belts to extend when pulled upon.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
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."
+ 1 more recall in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
2013 Cadillac Ats NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Frontal crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Side crash
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
Rollover
★★★★★5 of 5 stars
From NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings). Where NHTSA tested more than one version of this vehicle, the lowest rating is shown.
The worst model year for the Cadillac Ats is the 2015 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is accessories - interior.
2013 Cadillac Ats vs. Class Average (Compact Cars)
This vehicle
256
Class avg
192
Complaint volume is roughly in line with other compact cars vehicles from 2013.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 256 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 6 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Last updated . NHTSA complaints received through October 28, 2026; safety ratings from NHTSA's 5-Star program.
2013 Cadillac Ats: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2013 Cadillac Ats Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 256 owner reports. Know before you buy.