Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2014 Cadillac ATS owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter was engaged but the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission shift cable had detached, and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V338000 (Power Train). The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that her VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH on the highway the transmission was shifting irregularly and the vehicle started to decelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact was able to pull off to the side of the roadway and waited 10-15 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact was able to drive safely to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,396.
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while attempting to accelerate. There was a howling sound coming from the driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear differential failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle not been repaired due to the part being on backorder. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.
In August 2026, at approximately 99,639 miles, my 2014 Cadillac ATS was taken to an authorized Cadillac dealership for service. During the inspection, the dealership discovered and diagnosed a leaking right rear axle shaft seal. I was not aware of the leak beforehand and did not receive a warning light or message indicating the condition. The dealership's written repair order states that the right rear axle shaft seal was leaking and that the right rear axle seal was replaced. The repair was completed at my expense. I have the dealership repair order and invoice documenting the diagnosis, mileage, parts replaced, and repair. After the repair, I researched this issue and found other NHTSA consumer complaints involving rear axle/differential seal leakage on 2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles. …
After routine maintenance (oil change) at Cadillac of Knoxville on 5/7/2024, I was notified that my rear differential was leaking. After I arrived back home, upon further research, I found that this was a common problem for this make and model of car and that there was a recall for Cadillac ATS' manufactured between 2013-2016. After calling GM's customer service line, the representative expressed that my VIN did not register under the specific recall and therefore would not qualify for a replacement rear differential. This is a problem in which can total my vehicle, though no problems besides the leak have occurred as of my knowledge. There was no indication before the oil change on 5/7 of a leak, no warning lamps or other telling signs. If I had not brought my vehicle for its routine maintenance, I would not be aware of the situation.
My engine RPM would randomly lock to 4000 rpms while driving, i could rev the car or apply the brakes but it will sit their until it decides to respond. This has happened a few times and mostly down hill and flats. Difficult to replicate. Cooling system has been a plague at around 80k miles i've had to replace a clamp at the back near the water outlet flange which i was quoted $2000 for just the labor alone as the engine would need to be removed.And the water pump failed at around 82000 miles. Also plagued with P06DE "Engine Oil Pressure Control Circuit Stuck On" error code a few times now.
I was driving the car and trying to put the car in park at the stop light. The car shifter moved, but the shifter wasn't going into any other gear. The shifter moves forward and back, but nothing happens. I almost got in an accident and my dad had to help me park the car. I saw this is a past recall issue and I called Cadillac and they stated I needed to tow my vehicle there and there are no open recalls, so it will be out of pocket. They can't even see my car until the 31st at the soonest. I could've been seriously injured or injured someone else.
My ball joints on both sides were completely gone, my struts have given out repaired all at the same time, because of those things going out it completely ruined my tires to where they squeak down the road. Both differentials are leaking and my transmission shutters, I also had to replace my water pump that was leaking cooling everywhere
What are the cooling hoses that carry coolant from the engine to the radiator busted not once but twice. It has many electrical problems even when cleared with an OBD2 sensor they will still come on. The power steering is completely off and malfunctions.
My 2014 Cadillac ATS experienced a transmission shift cable/linkage failure. After driving normally, I pulled into my garage and moved the shifter to Park. The physical shifter was in Park, but the instrument cluster continued to indicate Drive (D). The vehicle would not recognize Park, the shifter became stuck, and the vehicle would not restart because the transmission was still being detected as being in Drive. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Cadillac dealership for diagnosis. The dealership confirmed that the range selector lever cable had detached from the shift shaft. Their written diagnosis states that the plastic retainers securing the cable failed, causing the shifter to show the wrong drive mode. The dealer recommended replacement of the range selector lever cable. …
Related recalls
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.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014.
Transmission complaints in other ATS years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2014 Cadillac ATS?
NHTSA has 30 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2014 Cadillac ATS, 29% of the model year's 104 complaints. The component named most often is driveline › differential unit (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2014 Cadillac ATS transmission problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-338 (automatic transmission, Jun 19, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2014 Cadillac ATS transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 55,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to transmission & drivetrain problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.