Reliable Auto DB

2018 Cadillac ATS reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Cadillac ATS over 9 years — 1 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most ATS years here — under the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Electric power steering and Fuel pump.

2013 Cadillac ATS
Photo by IFCAR, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons Public domain
Complaints

21

Per year

1

Recalls

2

Years on the road

9

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (6 of 21), then Electrical system (3) and Steering (3). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2017 and 2019

The 2017 ATS has 32 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2019 has 2 complaints, 0 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2018 Cadillac ATS. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall Electric power steering 2025-03-20 · NHTSA campaign 25V175000
Summary General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
Remedy Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252497020.
Recall Fuel pump 2018-05-31 · NHTSA campaign 18V358000
Summary General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC Terrain vehicles. The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
Remedy GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 18188.

Complaints by component (21 total)

Powertrain
6
Electrical system
3
Steering
3
Air bags
2
Exterior lighting
2
Fuel and propulsion system
2
Engine
1
Equipment
1
Structure
1
Suspension
1
Tires
1
Show 3 more Show less
Crash-flagged

1

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

2201822020120212202262023320244202512026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "Both side mirrors failed. Internal components corroded, one almost fell off when driving, the other later became completely detached. Failed parts that could have caused a major safety issue if they were to fail during…"
    Structure · filed 2026-05-12
  • "The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed, and the mechanic determined that…"
    Electrical system · filed 2025-12-22
  • "Rear differential. This part will be available after removal. This put me at risk of potentially locking up while driving. According to the dealership, Faulkner Cadillac, "found rear differential bearings damaged,…"
    Powertrain · filed 2025-07-11
  • "My vehicle recently started experiencing an issue where the power steering would randomly cut out while I was driving. If I pulled over and shut the car off and then turned it back on the power steering would come back.…"
    Steering · filed 2025-07-08
  • "The power steering will randomly stop working while driving! We have had it in the shop 3 times and they can't find anything! We have replaced alternator, battery and it still isn't fixed! I seen u had a recall on the…"
    Steering · filed 2025-01-22

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2018 Cadillac ATS 2DR AWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2018 Cadillac ATS 2DR RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated Not rated
2018 Cadillac ATS 4 DR AWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2018 Cadillac ATS 4 DR RWD 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars 5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
ATS 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Rear-wheel drive 22 31 25 MPG $3200
ATS 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Rear-wheel drive 20 30 24 MPG $2700
ATS 2L, 4-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 20 29 23 MPG $3450
ATS all-wheel drive 2L, 4-cyl Automatic (8-speed) All-wheel drive 22 30 25 MPG $3200
ATS all-wheel drive 3.6L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) All-wheel drive 19 27 22 MPG $2950

Specs and fitment

1st generation, 2013–2019
Body styles Sedan, Coupe
Oil 5W-30 (2.0L/3.6L all temps); 0W-20/5W-20 (2.5L) , 5 qt capacity
Tire size 225/40R18, 225/45R17, 255/35R18 (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 25V-175 covers certain 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS vehicles among other GM models: electric power steering assist may fail, requiring greater steering effort especially at low speeds. Dealers replace the power steering gear assembly. Recall 18V-358 covers certain 2018 ATS vehicles among other GM models: the high-pressure fuel pump may detach and damage a fuel line, creating a leak and fire risk; dealers replace the pump and high-pressure pipe.

Compare

Previous year 2017 Cadillac ATS See every Cadillac ATS model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Cadillac ATS reliable?

Owners have filed 21 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Cadillac ATS over 9 years — 1 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most ATS years here — under the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Electric power steering and Fuel pump.

What are common problems with a 2018 Cadillac ATS?

The complaints owners file most often name Powertrain (6 of 21), then Electrical system (3) and Steering (3). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2018 Cadillac ATS more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2017 ATS has 32 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2019 has 2 complaints, 0 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

Has the 2018 Cadillac ATS been recalled?

The 2018 Cadillac ATS has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Cadillac ATS?

Owners have filed 21 complaints about the 2018 Cadillac ATS with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2018 Cadillac ATS get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2018 Cadillac ATS is 23.8 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Cadillac ATS take?

US notes list 5W-30 for 2.0L/3.6L (all temps) and 0W-20/5W-20 for the 2.5L (about 5.0 qt with filter on common fills).

Does recall 25V-175 cover the Cadillac ATS?

It covers certain 2017-2018 ATS vehicles among other GM models: electric power steering assist may fail, requiring greater steering effort at low speeds; dealers replace the EPS parts named in the campaign.

What generation is the Cadillac ATS?

1st generation for the US years this site tracks (2013-2019).