Cadillac · ATS · 2016
2016 Cadillac ATS
2
Recalls
32
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2016 Cadillac ATS has 2 recalls and 32 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: power train (6 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2016 Cadillac ATS page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is power train with 6 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2016 Cadillac ATS currently shows 2 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 32 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are power train (6), air bags (4), steering (3).
- Vehicle
- 2016 Cadillac ATS
- Recalls
- 2
- Complaints
- 32
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
10.1% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 15V558000September 03, 2015
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 15V463000July 24, 2015
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."
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
32 totalSTEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Nov 2, 2025
My 2016 Cadillac ATS Coupe has a serious repeating safety defect. The vehicle violently shakes, vibrates, and becomes unstable while driving. This happened TWICE. Both times the rear bolts came out except one. Both mechanics who inspected it said they have NEVER seen this before....
Preview excerpt
POWER TRAIN
Dec 29, 2024
When driving at around 40-50mph you can feel that the car has a shudder vibration. Took the car into Cadillac where they are informing me that it is the torque converter that needs replacement. No warning lights. If not fixed can lead to transmission failure.
AIR BAGS
Aug 24, 2024
The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that the message "Service Air Bag" was displayed, and the passenger's side seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
CRASH2 injuriesMar 7, 2024
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, ...
Preview excerpt
STEERING
Oct 21, 2023
Reporting a case for GM recall N182161890. I bought my vehicle in 2022. I was informed that my car had all the recalls completed on that vehicle. My vehicle had exactly what this recall was for happen to it on 10/20/23. After contacting Cadillac, they informed me that this recall...
Preview excerpt
VISIBILITY/WIPER
Mar 10, 2023
My back glass on my 2016 Cadillac ATS shattered on 3-10-2023. It looks like it got hot from the defroster lines as it shattered every inch of the back glass and separated from the seals. I contacted Cadillac and they started Case #9-9552142107. I had the car inspected at my deale...
Preview excerpt
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Jul 18, 2022
CUE screen cracked and is unresponsive and now handsfree safety options don't work.
POWER TRAIN
Jun 15, 2022
I’ve only had this vehicle for about 2 years now. I purchased it off of Carvana and had 30 days I could’ve returned the vehicle if there was issues. When I first got it, I noticed the vehicles gas pedal would shutter a tad while going up a hill or at a higher speed like on the hi...
Preview excerpt
AIR BAGS
Sep 26, 2021
When driving, I accidentaley hit a curb on the front left rim and the side air bags deployed. There was no damage to vehicle other than hitting the rim. I want to know if there is a recall on this or if there has been any other incidents of this kind. The only deployed air bags w...
Preview excerpt
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Mar 5, 2021
Transmission drags. When stopping the car jerks bad and sometimes proceeds to accelerate. When at a stop auto start has a hard jerk I reported this problem to Cadillac dealership when I first got the car. They claim they couldn't find an issue. The touch pad goes out frequently.
Showing 10 recent complaints from 32 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2016 Cadillac models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Cadillac ATS Years
2017 Cadillac ATSCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.2r31c2015 Cadillac ATSCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.3r28c2018 Cadillac ATSCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.2r20c2014 Cadillac ATSCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.4r101c2013 Cadillac ATSCompare this year against 2016 for complaint and recall shifts.6r160c
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Cadillac ATS have?
The 2016 Cadillac ATS has 2 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2016 Cadillac ATS?
NHTSA has received 32 owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Cadillac ATS.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Cadillac ATS?
The 2016 Cadillac ATS received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Cadillac ATS?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2016 Cadillac ATS are power train (6 reports), air bags (4 reports), steering (3 reports).
Does the 2016 Cadillac ATS have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 2 recalls on record for the 2016 Cadillac ATS. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.