KnownCarProblems2016 Cadillac Ats Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Cadillac Ats, most often about the transmission (31% of complaints). It is 4th of 7 Ats model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2016 Cadillac Ats problems
Transmission
10 complaints · 31%The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Ats. While the contact was pulling into a driveway, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into a garage. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained minor aches and pains that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed.…
At speeds between 25 and 35 MPH the transmission shudders to such an extent that the entire car is vibrating. Engine RPM is between 1000 and 1500. Response is unpredictable. The car may speed up or attempt to stall. Very dangerous entering high speed traffic situations or accelerating in local traffic.
Electrical
6 complaints · 19%While arriving at stop lights the caddillac roughly shifts down jolting the whole vehicle. Around 1500 rpms whether its sitting or just passing 1500 rpms the whole vehicle shutters and vibrates aggresively until around 2000 RPM. Rpms jump up and down between 1000 and 3000 rpms
Air bags
5 complaints · 16%The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac Ats. While driving various speeds, the contact placed a mobile phone on the passenger seat and the air bag indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (hennessy Cadillac located at 3377 satellite blvd, duluth, ga 30096; ([phone]) who stated that they did not have a…
The contact owned a 2016 Cadillac Ats. The contact stated while driving 40-50 MPH and entering the expressway, she engaged the turn signal and verified that the road was cleared. The contact stated that while she was making the turn, an 18-wheeler truck suddenly hit the vehicle, causing the vehicle to crash into…
Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 16%All 4 rims are cracking and causing air to leak from the tires. Cannon Cadillac in lakeland fl., has stated these rims are a factory defect, but have denied the claim to replace all the rims with an active 2 year warranty still in effect. I only noticed this problem once I had just purchased a new tire and seen that…
We bought a used 2016 Ats with 14,000 miles. Within 2 years, we have had 4 cracked Cadillac wheels. We also have run flat tires, factory installed. Driving under normal conditions, pot holes and seams in asphalt seem to be what caused of cracked rims. I suspected a defective issue after 2nd cracked wheel. I asked at…
Engine
4 complaints · 13%Parts named most often: exhaust system.
There was a shudder to the vehicle while in motion and it lurches forward like it skips gears when going from reverse into drive and often from increase speed
While arriving at stop lights the caddillac roughly shifts down jolting the whole vehicle. Around 1500 rpms whether its sitting or just passing 1500 rpms the whole vehicle shutters and vibrates aggresively until around 2000 RPM. Rpms jump up and down between 1000 and 3000 rpms
Steering
4 complaints · 13%While driving on the freeway, a car was merging into my lane. I quickly turned into the next available lane as it was empty, and when I turned the steering wheel slightly to the left, it overcompensated and violently turned the steering wheel to the left, leading to the car spinning out on the freeway. It was…
The vehicle has an issue with loss of power steering. It has happened and returned but it gone out totally now and I believe it should be part of the Cadillac power steering recall, but my VIN is not listed as vehicle that is affected.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Cadillac Ats recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed june 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is n262555870. Vehicle identification numbers (vins) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on may 21, 2026.
Full defect summary
General motors, llc (gm) is recalling certain 2015 cadillac escalade, escalade esv, xts, 2015-2016 cadillac ats, cts, and srx vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.
Visibility and wipers: defroster/defogger/hvac system
Risk: If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will update the electronic climate control module to remove the automatic rear defogger "on" function, free of charge. The recall began on october 16, 2015. Owners may contact cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. Gm's number for this recall is 15299.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 cadillac ats sedan vehicles manufactured april 23, 2012, to september 2, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the coil antenna module that powers the rear defogger system may generate excessive heat due to excessive cycling or continuous operation.
Visibility and wipers: sun/moon roof assembly
Risk: Because the switch is not recessed, the roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed resulting in unintended auto-closure of the roof panel, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: Gm will notify owners and dealers will replace the roof console accessory switch trim plate, free of charge. The recall began on august 19, 2015. Owners may contact cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. Gm's number for this recall is 15568. Note this recall supersedes 15v-106.
Full defect summary
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."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2016 Cadillac Ats
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Cadillac Ats?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (10 complaints); electrical (6 complaints); air bags (5 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Cadillac Ats have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 21, 2026 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Cadillac Ats?
- It is 4th of 7 Ats model years by number of complaints, with 32 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.