Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Cadillac ATS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While out driving, the vehicle would not shift gear into park upon arriving at a parking lot. The car was transported to an nearby garage and the transmission shift cable was found to be melted/severed upon undercarriage inspection. This is a recall for other models of 2013-2014 ATS. If the transmission shift cable detaches while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. …
Vehicle would not steer lost power steering and loud noise. Had the vehicle towed to a mechanic. The mechanic informed me that the bolts for the electronic power steering had corroded causing the electronic steering motor to fall. He told me that it is a problem with these cars and gave me a reference number (N202301950) I called GM and they said it was not a recall it was a service bulletin which I never received and is now expired. The vehicle needs a whole new Electric Power Steering Rack and Pinion Assembly due to the faulty corroded GM Bolts not to mention that I could have died or someone else could have been killed due to losing the ability to steer the vehicle because of the faulty GM parts. GM said it is my responsibility to pay for repairs which is thousands of dollars again due to their faulty parts and no fault of my own also not normal wear and tear.
I had a total loss of steering about two weeks ago, scariest thing ever in my 50 years of driving. A local automotive shop inspected the car and found one steering motor bolt missing and two broken/sheared laying in their casting holes.General Motors issued a Customer Satisfaction Program 18207 - Loss of Power Steering Assist directive for steering rack inspection and repair and/or replacement. My 2013 Cadillac ATS had the bolt failure exactly as described in the directive but is not covered as the directive program was in effect until November 30, 2020 and has expired. It was and is still a poor engineering design by GM engineering and it still effects those of us operating the models listed in GM CSP 18207. This should have been a recall and not have had an end date of 11/30/2020. …
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. …
I purchased a 2013 Cadillac ATS 4 on 9/29/16. On 10/14/16 while driving my steering column light up and steering wheel locked up while in motion. I was in detroit, michigan driving on gratiot, which is a straight street, but I was unable to turn the wheel to pull over. I kept trying to force the steering wheel left and right and finally was able to turn and pull over. When I contacted the dear I was told to bring the vehicle in by [redacted] at novi Cadillac because this was a safety issue. The dealer kept the car and on 10/20/16 explained they could not reduplicate the problem and gave me my car back. On my own, I checked into problems with this model only to find there are others who have experienced this problem. I have always supported buying American cars, but problems need to be fixed when the company is notified of a problem. …
Takata recall this inquiry is not the result of any incident but the result of recall notices sent to my dealers and to myself re (1) steering wheel (2) brakes and (3) air bags. The steering wheel has been addressed and supposedly fixed. The dealer secretary states that there is also a recall on brakes and on airbags but dealer garage denies such. I also received recall notices via posted mail but no longer have the documents. The continuing airbag lights and sound still notify me that there is a problem with the driver-side airbags. Garage states that such airbag warnings are merely a glitch in the message system but I'm concerned that it May signify a valid problem with the airbags. Years ago, I was struck by an aggressive airbag which left injuries to my face and so I need to take this seriously.
Takata recall there has been no "incident" re the 2013 ATS. The issue originated with recall notices to my dealer and to me re (1) steering (2) air bags (3) brakes. The airbag issue involves continual warning by light and by sound re the driver's side airbag. Dealer secretary states that she has notices for all three (above) to be recalled. Dealer garage, however, states that the only recall was steering and have recently repaired the steering. I recall receiving recall notices at my home but no longer have them. And so, complainant is seeking to learn whether the brakes and the air bag warning need addressing.
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ATS. While operating the vehicle, the power steering failed. In addition, the power steering warning indicator illuminated and 'steering assist, take care' appeared on the instrument panel. The contact had to push the vehicle to a safe location. The contact restarted the engine and drove home safely. The vehicle was taken to mccurley integrity Cadillac (1325 north autoplex way, pasco, wa 99301, [phone]) to be diagnosed, but the test could not read the codes. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000.
The vehicle was leaving a parking space when the power steering just stopped working in the middle of the road. The service power steering light came on andhad to get the towed to the mechanic. The mechanic found the power steering bolts corroded and in order to removed them he had to remove the rack and pinion and also found those bolts to be corroded. My daughter was using the vehicle and usually travels on the highway to work
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Cadillac ATS. While the driving 50 MPH, the power steering light illuminated and prevented the driver from turning the steering wheel. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to have a diagnostic performed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 11,100.
Steering complaints in other ATS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2013 Cadillac ATS?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the steering of the 2013 Cadillac ATS, 16% of the model year's 160 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Cadillac ATS steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering recall for the 2013 Cadillac ATS, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Cadillac ATS steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 14,000 miles, and 62% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.