RoadVitals

2017 Cadillac ATS Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
32
Latest May 26, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
11
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2017 Cadillac ATS, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Steering1233.3%
  • Electrical616.7%
  • Powertrain (other)513.9%
  • Engine38.3%
  • Airbags25.6%
  • Brakes25.6%
  • Driver assistance25.6%
  • Other / unspecified12.8%
  • Exterior lighting12.8%
  • Body & structure12.8%
  • Visibility12.8%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Driving home message came up on the dash, saying, power steering problem. Next thing you know, it was extremely hard to turn the wheel left or right.

NHTSA ID 11733798 · filed Apr 25, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing intermittent loss of power steering functionality. The vehicle was taken to Auto Repair Garage, where a routine inspection was performed, and the contact was informed that no failure was found. The contact stated that the failure progressively increased. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, and while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost power steering functionality, and the steering wheel was significantly difficult to turn. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated that the infotainment system screen was frozen. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V175000 (Steering). An appointment was scheduled for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID 11658980 · filed May 5, 2025
All 12 reports naming steering

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

6
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

In center console there is a dual USB port for either charging or data for CarPlay. When two phones are plugged in and charging, and one phone is in passengers hand, while vehicle is in motion or stopped, the airbag warning light will illuminate. When the phone is removed from passenger seat, airbag warning light turns off. This will happen any number of times and is very easy to reproduce issue. This problem is only occurring more often now that I have a passenger in the car. But it will happen if any phone is plugged in and sitting on the seat. It went to the dealer with this issue a couple years ago but they couldn’t get it to happen again because the phone wasn’t on the seat plugged in. If the airbag warning light is on, then the system will not function, therefore, if this happened right before an accident, the airbags may not deploy, putting all passengers at risk.

NHTSA ID 11665197 · filed Jun 5, 2025

My air bag light randomly appeared and has been on for at about year now the dealership wants me to pay a ridiculous amount of money for all of these safety hazards including to fix my “airbag sensor” when I have never used the airbags. I am the one and only owner of the car which I purchased directly from the Ed Morse bayview Cadillac dealership. Faulty airbags and or sensors are a huge safety hazard. I need to know my airbags are working correctly as well as the sensors not only for my safety but as well as my child. My car has recently been diagnosed with serious transmission problems which include a vibration at 50 mph shuddering erratically and frequently to the point it is scary to drive. the transmission going out could cause me to get into an accident or be stuck in the road and put into danger which is another safety hazard. Lastly, The electric CUE screen is supposed to be used for safety for many reasons which include hands-free directions when you are lost and can use gps without having to use your phone while driving. You need the CUE screen to be able to access the radio for alerts and warnings. You need the CUE screen to able to use your phone hands-free to prevent accidents. The CUE screen is defective. The screens they use cannot withstand the heat and they sell you the car knowing the screens don’t last and will crack and no longer have the touch screen ability to control or use any of the features for our safety.

NHTSA ID 11566405 · filed Jan 19, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Transmission fluid temperature sensor in the 8 speed automatic 8L90 transmission from GM is a known issue. Causes vehicle to shift/jerk erratically especially in stop and go traffic.

NHTSA ID 11740000 · filed May 26, 2026

1. The transmission shudders at high speeds and at low speeds it either hesitates to shift gears or it lurches forward causing a rough shifting of gears. 2. I feel as though when I am braking and my car lurches forward, sometimes I have to brake even harder just to get the car to stop in time. This has caused me to almost hit pedestrians and/or other car. At high speeds, when the transmission shudders, I feel as though I have to slow down in order to stop the aggressive shaking, making others driving behind me have to slow down. 3. A former family mechanic has tried to resolve the transmission issue for me and he was unsuccessful in doing so. I have not taken it to a dealer or a big name mechanic. 4. The vehicle has not been inspected by insurance, police or the manufacturer. Only a family mechanic. 5. As far as I know, there was no prior indicating symptoms of the issue as I bought the car how it currently is. I was told upon purchase that the transmission has a shudder at high speeds and at hesitation of shifting gears at low speeds

NHTSA ID 11663588 · filed May 29, 2025

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle jerked and failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle became difficult to maneuver, with the service power steering message displayed. In addition, the contact stated there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle and the vehicle functioned normally. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the failure persisted. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID 11647373 · filed Mar 10, 2025

My air bag light randomly appeared and has been on for at about year now the dealership wants me to pay a ridiculous amount of money for all of these safety hazards including to fix my “airbag sensor” when I have never used the airbags. I am the one and only owner of the car which I purchased directly from the Ed Morse bayview Cadillac dealership. Faulty airbags and or sensors are a huge safety hazard. I need to know my airbags are working correctly as well as the sensors not only for my safety but as well as my child. My car has recently been diagnosed with serious transmission problems which include a vibration at 50 mph shuddering erratically and frequently to the point it is scary to drive. the transmission going out could cause me to get into an accident or be stuck in the road and put into danger which is another safety hazard. Lastly, The electric CUE screen is supposed to be used for safety for many reasons which include hands-free directions when you are lost and can use gps without having to use your phone while driving. You need the CUE screen to be able to access the radio for alerts and warnings. You need the CUE screen to able to use your phone hands-free to prevent accidents. The CUE screen is defective. The screens they use cannot withstand the heat and they sell you the car knowing the screens don’t last and will crack and no longer have the touch screen ability to control or use any of the features for our safety.

NHTSA ID 11566405 · filed Jan 19, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

In center console there is a dual USB port for either charging or data for CarPlay. When two phones are plugged in and charging, and one phone is in passengers hand, while vehicle is in motion or stopped, the airbag warning light will illuminate. When the phone is removed from passenger seat, airbag warning light turns off. This will happen any number of times and is very easy to reproduce issue. This problem is only occurring more often now that I have a passenger in the car. But it will happen if any phone is plugged in and sitting on the seat. It went to the dealer with this issue a couple years ago but they couldn’t get it to happen again because the phone wasn’t on the seat plugged in. If the airbag warning light is on, then the system will not function, therefore, if this happened right before an accident, the airbags may not deploy, putting all passengers at risk.

NHTSA ID 11665197 · filed Jun 5, 2025

My air bag light randomly appeared and has been on for at about year now the dealership wants me to pay a ridiculous amount of money for all of these safety hazards including to fix my “airbag sensor” when I have never used the airbags. I am the one and only owner of the car which I purchased directly from the Ed Morse bayview Cadillac dealership. Faulty airbags and or sensors are a huge safety hazard. I need to know my airbags are working correctly as well as the sensors not only for my safety but as well as my child. My car has recently been diagnosed with serious transmission problems which include a vibration at 50 mph shuddering erratically and frequently to the point it is scary to drive. the transmission going out could cause me to get into an accident or be stuck in the road and put into danger which is another safety hazard. Lastly, The electric CUE screen is supposed to be used for safety for many reasons which include hands-free directions when you are lost and can use gps without having to use your phone while driving. You need the CUE screen to be able to access the radio for alerts and warnings. You need the CUE screen to able to use your phone hands-free to prevent accidents. The CUE screen is defective. The screens they use cannot withstand the heat and they sell you the car knowing the screens don’t last and will crack and no longer have the touch screen ability to control or use any of the features for our safety.

NHTSA ID 11566405 · filed Jan 19, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH and attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was very stiff and hard to depress causing the braking distance to be extended. The contact drove off the roadway to avoid a collision and activated the parking brake and shifted to park(P) causing the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop. During the failure the “Service Brake Assist" message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,098.

NHTSA ID 11464773 · filed May 16, 2022

UPON BRAKING CAR SHAKES AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE BUT EVENTUALY STOPS. ABOUT 8 DAYS LATER WHILE PARKING THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE RESULTING IN A COLLISION.

NHTSA ID 11064482 · filed Jan 23, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

My Que Screen has webbed and makes it impossible to view my screen, important vehicles warnings and my maps for directions. This has been a recall in the past. Prior to me owning my vehicle. I can’t believe Cadillac installed junk in their vehicles. A third party is a direct extension of YoUR business. Do better. This is horrible. I demand a recall repair. If this was known and you all didn’t want to fix these vehicles should be pulled off the roadways. Right your wrongs.

NHTSA ID 11687205 · filed Sep 14, 2025

THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DROPS TO E. THE TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY DOES NOT WORK AT TIMES YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE CAR TO GET IT TO WORK.

NHTSA ID 11256917 · filed Sep 20, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I have replaced two brand new tires on the back right. I then saw that there was a TSB for the very issue im having with my vehicle. A slow loss of air from the back right tire. The TSB link is https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=11017016 Its a slow.loss of air that eventually ends you up with a blown tire on the side of the road which has happened twice to me now. There is no location on the vehicle for a spare tire coincidentally. I still have the tires with damage to them for proof . My brakes and rotors have been. Changed because the mechanic said that could be the issue. I never thought of it being the tire and rim until I saw the TSB for this which is exactly what it feels like when the air does get in the rim and begins to naw the wall of the tire.

NHTSA ID 11721871 · filed Mar 3, 2026

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

My headlight bulbs have been replaced and checked 2x by the used auto superstore which I will not name at this time ! and by the manufacturer (dealer) but once it’s dark out and the automatic brights come on and either both or one side goes completely out only to come back on sometimes or not at all which is very dangerous especially at night !

NHTSA ID 11510177 · filed Mar 4, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Cadillac ATS is sold with a faulty driver console. The console is known as the Cadillac User Experience (CUE). Faulty-console is a serious safety issue for the following reasons: 1. Driver distractions: loss of navigation and unexpected changes in radio and air-conditioning are constant distractions. These distractions take the driver's attention away from the roadway. They also force driver's to make unexpected stops on highways and roadways.  2. Customer profile: Cadillac ATS customers are mostly seniors and mature individuals. Constant distractions have amplified impact. Considering the above major factors, the faulty console is a safety issue due to constant distractions. We paid $1,065.30 to replace the faulty CUE screen for something that must be recalled. There are many references made to faulty CUE consoles

NHTSA ID 11459670 · filed Apr 5, 2022

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

My headlight bulbs have been replaced and checked 2x by the used auto superstore which I will not name at this time ! and by the manufacturer (dealer) but once it’s dark out and the automatic brights come on and either both or one side goes completely out only to come back on sometimes or not at all which is very dangerous especially at night !

NHTSA ID 11510177 · filed Mar 4, 2023

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .