2013 Cadillac Ats: Problems & Reliability
AVOID2013 Cadillac ATS: AVOID — 161 owner complaints, 4.9× the ATS median year by raw count; top issue: engine (48 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2013 is 4.44, where 1.00 is a typical ATS year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 2.84. Severity drives it: 71% of those complaints report a crash, fire or injury or involve a safety-critical system (engine, powertrain, steering, brakes or fuel).
Sources: NHTSA owner complaints (ODI), recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins, CarWhere verified buyer prices · Model years 2013–2019 compared · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
161
NHTSA complaints
4.9×
vs. median ATS year
2,399
Service bulletins
6
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2013 Cadillac ATS problems
Engine is the clear leader, named in 30% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2013 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 48 | 30% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 46 | 29% |
| Electrical system | 36 | 22% |
| Steering | 25 | 16% |
| Service brakes | 17 | 11% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2013 Cadillac ATS recalls
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2013, reported between May 24, 2013 and Sep 3, 2015.
| NHTSA campaign | Reported | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 15V558000 | Sep 3, 2015 | Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system |
| 15V463000 | Jul 24, 2015 | Visibility › Sun/moon roof assembly |
| 14V488000 | Aug 8, 2014 | Seat belts › Front |
| 14V446000 | Jul 23, 2014 | Seats |
| 14V338000 | Jun 19, 2014 | Powertrain / transmission › Automatic transmission |
| 13V220000 | May 24, 2013 | Electrical system |
2013 Cadillac ATS service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 2,399 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2013 — more than the 1,535 of the median ATS year from 2013 to 2019. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (532), engine & cooling (257), engine (210). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2013 vs. the year before and after
The 2014 that followed fell 35% (161 → 104), so the 2014 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 (this page) | AVOID | 161 | 2,399 | 6 | — |
| 2014 ATS | AVOID | 104 | 1,989 | 4 | — |
Prices are averages of CarWhere verified buyer transactions (shown when 3+ deals exist for the year). Full year-by-year table: Cadillac ATS years to avoid.
What to check on a used 2013 Cadillac ATS
Engine (48 complaints on the 2013): cold-start it yourself and listen for ticking or knocking; check for oil leaks, low coolant and a lit check-engine light, and ask for oil-change records.
Powertrain / transmission (46 complaints on the 2013): test-drive from cold through every gear and feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder; ask whether the transmission fluid has been serviced.
Electrical system (36 complaints on the 2013): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Steering (25 complaints on the 2013): check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering at parking speed, and clunks over bumps.
Service brakes (17 complaints on the 2013): check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, look at rotor and pad wear, and ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
Recalls: confirm all 6 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Nearby ATS years with a better rating: 2015.
Know what to pay for the right 2013 Cadillac Ats — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2013 Cadillac ATS reliable?
2013 Cadillac ATS: AVOID — 161 owner complaints, 4.9× the ATS median year by raw count; top issue: engine (48 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2013 is 4.44, where 1.00 is a typical ATS year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road; the avoid line is 1.60, so this year clears it by 2.84.
What are the most common 2013 Cadillac ATS problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2013 Cadillac ATS are engine (48, 30%), powertrain / transmission (46, 29%), electrical system (36, 22%). The manufacturer has 2,399 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2013 Cadillac ATS have?
6 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2013 Cadillac ATS, most recently 15V558000 (Sep 3, 2015, visibility); 15V463000 (Jul 24, 2015, visibility); 14V488000 (Aug 8, 2014, seat belts). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2013 Cadillac Ats before buying?
Decode the VIN free at carwhere.com/tools/vin-decoder to confirm the build, then run the $9.99 CarWhere Full VIN Report for the exact VIN — recall, complaint, and service-bulletin record for this model year, the original window sticker where the manufacturer publishes one, and a market price check from verified buyers. One-time purchase, no subscription.
Sources & method
Complaint, recall and service-bulletin counts for the 2013 Cadillac ATS come from NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation; the verdict is CarWhere’s severity-weighted, time-on-road-adjusted score compared with the model’s own median year. Complaints are owner allegations, not verified defects. Full methodology.