2013 Cadillac ATS Engine Problems

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  3068%
• 25k–50k
  511%
• 50k–75k
  49%
• 75k–100k
  25%
• 100k–150k
  25%
• 150k+
  12%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Cadillac ATS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the engine overheated. The contact stated that the A/c was independently turned off due to engine overheating. The contact was able to pull over safely. The contact stated that the coolant reservoir was empty. The contact added coolant, but the engine continued overheating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who determined that the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. While driving at an undisclosed speed, the stability track and engine warning lights illuminated and started flashing. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to accelerate above 25 MPH. The vehicle was towed to the same independent mechanic, who determined that the engine had misfired over 40,000 times. The local dealer was not contacted. …

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while stopped at a traffic light or while slowing to approximately 15 MPH, the vehicle started shaking and idling roughly. The contact stated that the check engine and driver's assist warning light were illuminated. The contact stated that the motive power was reduced and the vehicle hesitated while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the power steering failed to function as needed. The contact arrived at her destination and after restarting the vehicle, the power steering functionality returned. The contact had taken the vehicle to a dealer who diagnosed that the thermostat needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 52,000.

I'm writing here to state that the Cadillac with this VIN [redacted] IS A FRAUDULENT SALE my husband and I have experienced. The car show no damages on CarFax but when we took the car to a certified Cadillac dealership they said they were shocked we could even drive it. The catalytic Converter is completely missing along with several other computer systems issues. The car jumps up and down when you drive it, feels like horseback riding more than a car ride. Cadillac denied working on the car and advised us not to drive it at all Every single warning light that could be on the dash/odometer lit up approx 5mins of being on the highway. Throw the car in the junkyard where it belongs!

Driving on 71 in columbus oh to mansfield oh going 70 MPH on highway and at ex 173 started snowing heavy, traffic came to hault at 10 MPH, had .09 miles to exit, got to exit made a right off exit started up a hill in snow at 30 MPH and before making it up the hill the car stopped in middle of one lane rd. And display said ...no power steering... Called 911 three times, waited outside in snow for hr and half for them to tow car to bill harris auto [phone] in ashland oh five mi down rd. Next day they couldnt duplicate the problem so they couldnt fix it. I told them I dont feel safe in car and that I could have died if going any faster, it stopped without any warning. He said he would give me $10 thous towards another vehicle when car is worth $20,500. In my excellent shape. …

Transmission issues. Rattling under the chassis that sounds like someone grabs the drive shaft and shakes it when the clutch is pushed at slow speeds ie moving up at a stop sign, in traffic etc. Defective dual mass flywheel was found after the service department told me my claims were up to factory standards. After taking apart the transmission (at less that 10K miles) gears 1-4 were found to be defective as well. The vehicle still has shifting issues and a loud rattle. I road tested a 2015 manual ATS and it drove smooth with no rattles. I was told the 2015 would drive the same once it hit 10K miles like mine which is a ridiculous statement. Vehicle has also shut off while in traffic, and upon restarting the vehicle I no longer had an power steering. I do not feel safe in this vehicle for myself or my children. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that there were several progressing failures within months of owning the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to several independent mechanics who diagnosed that the intake o2 sensor May be the cause of the failures, but no data was found. The contact stated that there were electrical failures, the TPMS warning indicator kept illuminating, the vehicle was idling roughly, and there was a leak in the rear axle. In addition, an independent mechanic stated that there was a misfire on cylinder three. The dealer (peninsula Chevrolet, 4 heitzinger plaza, seaside, ca 93955, [phone]) diagnosed that there was a low rate of pressure in cylinder four. The manufacturer had been notified for months and was unable to provide a permanent solution. The manufacturer opted to refuse a buy back or trade in. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.

Car won't drive past 40mph without serious shaking and vibrations. Have had the car towed multiple times and had multiple things fixed with the vehicle but still have major can't drive the car past 40mph. Last estimate dealer said it was the transmission. 4-5K to repair. Cadillac told me it was the coil rods which they replaced. Brought it back and I was told it was a pipe that was cracked going to the engine. Still have same problem. Had the tires and alignment checked. They said it was transmission. Brought to another place they thought it might be the engine. Issue are on the highway with speeds over 40mph.

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ATS. When the vehicle came to a complete stop, it seized without warning. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but it failed to start. The contact had to wait approximately thirty minutes for the vehicle to return to normal. The vehicle was taken to oakes auto group (1009 us-82, greenville, ms 38701, [phone]), but was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was test driven, but the cause of the failure could not be determined and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 66,400.

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ATS. While operating the vehicle, the message indicating that the engine overheated suddenly displayed. The vehicle was taken to paradise Chevrolet (27360 ynez rd, temecula, ca) where it was diagnosed that the overheating was due to a faulty engine and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. On a previous occasion, the vehicle was taken to the same dealer for overheating and it was diagnosed that the coolant and oil were leaking from the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 83,664.

Engine idles roughly. I have only used premium gas during fillups. The dealership says it's because I'm not using top tier gas, which is ridiculous. How can an engine's fuel system be that sensitive because one gas is missing some detergents per count in comparison. My ECM needs to be reprogrammed to compensate for this. It seemed to start shaking after I got it back from the dealership that corrected a recall problem that dealt with airbag deployment. How do you push an ignorant manager to take care of this instead of blaming it on the gas?

Engine complaints in other ATS years