Cadillac ATS Transmission Problems by Year
By CarWhere Research · Updated
Yes. 100 of the 381 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013–2019 Cadillac ATS (26.2%) name the transmission, 2.1× the median share across the 139 models we track. We have no published sales figures for this model, so there is no per-1,000 rate. The worst years are 2013 and 2014.
Transmission complaints
100
Filed with NHTSA, 2013–2019 models
Per 1,000 sold
No sales data
Not computed without a published sales figure
Share of all complaints
26.2%
of 381 complaints for this model
Transmission recalls
1
NHTSA campaigns, all years
Cadillac ATS transmission complaints by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA whose component list includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline). Worst years are highlighted.
| Model year | Transmission complaints | Share of all complaints | Crash / fire / injury | Transmission recalls | Transmission TSBs* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013WORST | 45 | 28.1% | 1 | 14V338000 | 193 |
| 2014WORST | 28 | 27.5% | 2 | 14V338000 | 160 |
| 2015 | 5 | 17.9% | 1 | — | 143 |
| 2016 | 11 | 31.4% | 1 | — | 180 |
| 2017 | 5 | 15.2% | 0 | — | 150 |
| 2018 | 6 | 28.6% | 0 | — | 131 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0% | 0 | — | 110 |
- Older model years have had more time on the road to collect complaints, so compare neighboring years, not 2010 against 2024.
- Crash / fire / injury = complaints where the owner reported a crash, a fire or an injury.
- *Technical service bulletins in the year's leading TSB categories that name the transmission.
Common Cadillac ATS transmission problems owners describe
We searched the narratives of all 100 transmission complaints for symptom keywords. One complaint can mention several, so the shares don't add up to 100%.
Cadillac ATS years to avoid for the transmission
2013 Cadillac ATS
45 transmission complaints (28.1% of the year's 160). Most often described: shudder or vibration. Covered by transmission recall 14V338000.
2014 Cadillac ATS
28 transmission complaints (27.5% of the year's 102). Most often described: whining, grinding or humming noise. Covered by transmission recall 14V338000.
Worst years are those with at least 10 transmission complaints and at least 1.5 times the model's median year. For every year's overall verdict, including other systems, see the Cadillac ATS years to avoid.
Cadillac ATS transmission recalls
NHTSA recall campaigns filed under Power Train for any Cadillac ATS model year. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check a specific car by VIN on NHTSA's site.
- 14V338000 · 2014-06-19 · 2013–2014 models
In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.
Which transmission does the Cadillac ATS use?
- GM 8-speed automatic — 2016–2019
Years are as listed for that transmission's applications. Some apply to certain engines only.
Related research
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2013 Cadillac ATS have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 45 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2013 Cadillac ATS, 28.1% of all 160 complaints for that year. The most common description is "shudder or vibration" (5 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 14V338000. 1 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Does the 2014 Cadillac ATS have transmission problems?
Yes, it is one of the worst years. Owners filed 28 transmission complaints with NHTSA for the 2014 Cadillac ATS, 27.5% of all 102 complaints for that year. The most common description is "whining, grinding or humming noise" (3 complaints). One transmission-related recall covers it: 14V338000. 2 of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury.
Which Cadillac ATS years have the most transmission complaints?
2013 (45), 2014 (28) and 2016 (11), by owner complaints filed with NHTSA that name the transmission. Raw counts favor older and higher-selling years, so treat them as a signal, not a rate.
What are the most common Cadillac ATS transmission problems?
In the 100 transmission complaints, owners most often describe shudder or vibration (14%), jerking, lurching or harsh shifts (8%) and hesitation or delayed engagement (6%). One complaint can mention several symptoms.
Is this a transmission failure rate?
No. These are complaints owners chose to file with NHTSA. Many failures are never reported, and one complaint is not a confirmed defect. Without sales figures, a high count can simply mean a high-selling model.
How we count
Counts are unique owner complaints (by NHTSA ODI number) filed with NHTSA for each Cadillac ATS model year, from NHTSA's public complaints data fetched July 2026 to November 2026. A complaint counts as a transmission complaint when NHTSA's component list for it includes Power Train (transmission, transfer case and driveline).
Per 1,000 sold divides complaints by published U.S. calendar-year sales for that year. A year needs at least 5,000 sales to get a rate, and a model needs at least 3 such years for its overall rate. The comparison median covers every model with at least 50 transmission complaints that clears those floors.
These are complaint rates, not failure rates. Owners report some problems more than others, and a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Sources
- NHTSA complaints by vehicle (owner complaints API) — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Report a vehicle safety problem — National Highway Traffic Safety Administration