2013 Cadillac ATS: common problems and reliability
One of the worst ATS years.
One of the Cadillac ATS years to avoid. All ATS years
160 owner complaints, most about engine. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2013 ATS?The 2013 Cadillac ATS has 160 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and power train. Owners most often flag 2.0l turbo (ltg) engine failures: catastrophic piston and piston ring failures, often around 50,000-100,000 miles (80,000-160,000 km), leading to misfires and requiring engine replacement. linked to carbon buildup and potential bad piston castings in 2013-2015 models.
Safety record for the 2013 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2013 Cadillac ATS vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other ATS years only. How we score it
Is 2013 a good year for the ATS?
Across the 7 ATS model years we track, complaint volume runs from 3 (2019) to 160 (2013). With 160 complaints, the 2013 ATS sits above the model's median of 33.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2013 ATS
visibility:sun/moon roof assembly
Campaign 15V463000General 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."
visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac system
Campaign 15V558000General 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.
seats
Campaign 14V446000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
seat belts:front
Campaign 14V488000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to March 1, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to May 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and passenger lap belt pretensioner cables may not lock in a retracted position, allowing the seat belts to extend when pulled upon.
Show 2 more recalls
power train:automatic transmission
Campaign 14V338000General 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. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.
electrical system
Campaign 13V220000General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
What owners say across generations
Mixed sentiment with a clear divide between driving dynamics and reliability.
- Very frequent2.0L Turbo (LTG) engine failures
Catastrophic piston and piston ring failures, often around 50,000-100,000 miles (80,000-160,000 km), leading to misfires and requiring engine replacement. Linked to carbon buildup and potential bad piston castings in 2013-2015 models.
- RecurrentRear axle seal leaks
Failure every 3-4 years on early model years (e.g., 2013).
Owner insights cover all generations of the ATS. See the full ATS owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used ATS listings typically run $10,180–$15,998 across 2013 to 2019 model years.
Other ATS model years
Compare every ATS year side by side to see how 2013 ranks against the rest.
Compare the ATS against its rivals
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