2013 Cadillac Ats: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2013 Cadillac Ats: 6 recalls, 160 owner complaints and up to 26 mpg combined.
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Exterior lights, Electrical Vehicle recall #13V220000 · 2013 · 10,210 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver May not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's May contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. Gm's recall number is 13158.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #14V338000 · 2014 · 90,750 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable May detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.
Why it matters: If the transmission shift cable detaches while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection May not match the indicated gear and the vehicle May move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the…
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014.
Seats Vehicle recall #14V446000 · 2014 · 124,007 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #14V488000 · 2014 · 48,114 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the seat belts do not remain locked in the retracted position when under load, the seat occupant May not be adequately restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front the driver's and the passenger's lap belt pretensioners, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. Gm sent interim notifications on October 7, 2014 and will send a second notification when remedy parts are available. The recall…
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #15V463000 · 2015 · 63,665 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #15V558000 · 2015 · 96,145 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, there is an increased risk of a fire.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 8 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine (48): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (24), warning light on (8).
- Transmission & drivetrain (45): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (19), stalls / loses power (15), noise or vibration (10).
- Electrical (36): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (9), door / lock issues (5).
- Steering (25): the most common themes are steering problems (21), noise or vibration (5).
The 2013 Cadillac Ats has 160 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 7 Ats model years for complaints (2.9× the average Ats year). Complaints peaked in 2014 (26 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 33,375 miles. Neighboring years: 2014 (104 complaints, 4 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 22 | 32 | 26 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 21 | 31 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 29 | 23 | Regular |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Gasoline or E85 |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 27 | 22 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2013 Cadillac Ats.
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FAQ
Does the 2013 Cadillac Ats have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2013 Cadillac Ats. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2013 Cadillac Ats problems?
Owners have filed 160 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine (48), transmission & drivetrain (45), electrical (36).
What gas mileage does the 2013 Cadillac Ats get?
EPA ratings run up to 26 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (S6)), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2013 Cadillac Ats repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.