2017 Cadillac Ats: Problems & Reliability
SOLID2017 Cadillac ATS: SOLID — 33 owner complaints, 1.0× the ATS median year by raw count; top issue: steering (13 complaints).
CarWhere's verdict score for the 2017 is 1.11, where 1.00 is a typical ATS year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road, between the best line (0.75) and caution (1.25). Severity drives it: 66% 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
33
NHTSA complaints
1.0×
vs. median ATS year
1,295
Service bulletins
2
Recall campaigns
Most-reported 2017 Cadillac ATS problems
Steering is the clear leader, named in 39% of complaints.
| Component | Complaints | Share of 2017 complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 13 | 39% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 18% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 18% |
| Powertrain / transmission | 5 | 15% |
| Engine | 3 | 9% |
A complaint can name more than one component, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
2017 Cadillac ATS recalls
2 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2017, reported between Feb 7, 2019 and Mar 20, 2025.
2017 Cadillac ATS service bulletins
The manufacturer has filed 1,295 technical service bulletins with NHTSA for the 2017 — close to the 1,535 of the median ATS year from 2013 to 2019. Coded bulletins most often cover electrical system (273), engine & cooling (156), powertrain / transmission (150). Bulletins are repair instructions for dealer technicians, not recalls.
The 2017 vs. the year before and after
From the 2016 to the 2017, owner complaints held roughly level (35 → 33). The 2018 that followed fell 33% (33 → 22), so the 2018 has the lighter record so far.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Bulletins | Recalls | Avg. buyer-paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 ATS | CAUTION | 35 | 1,535 | 3 | — |
| 2017 (this page) | SOLID | 33 | 1,295 | 2 | — |
| 2018 ATS | SOLID | 22 | 1,052 | 2 | — |
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 2017 Cadillac ATS
Steering (13 complaints on the 2017): check for a steering warning light, heavy or notchy steering at parking speed, and clunks over bumps.
Electrical system (6 complaints on the 2017): test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system, and have the car scanned for stored fault codes.
Powertrain / transmission (5 complaints on the 2017): 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.
Engine (3 complaints on the 2017): 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.
Air bags (2 complaints on the 2017): confirm the air bag warning light goes out after start-up and that every air bag recall was completed on this VIN.
Recalls: confirm all 2 campaigns above were completed on this VIN.
Know what to pay for the right 2017 Cadillac Ats — then negotiate it
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FAQ
Is the 2017 Cadillac ATS reliable?
2017 Cadillac ATS: SOLID — 33 owner complaints, 1.0× the ATS median year by raw count; top issue: steering (13 complaints). CarWhere's verdict score for the 2017 is 1.11, where 1.00 is a typical ATS year once complaints are weighted for severity and spread over time on the road, between the best line (0.75) and caution (1.25).
What are the most common 2017 Cadillac ATS problems?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the most-reported areas on the 2017 Cadillac ATS are steering (13, 39%), electrical system (6, 18%), unknown or other (6, 18%). The manufacturer has 1,295 service bulletins on file for this model year.
How many recalls does the 2017 Cadillac ATS have?
2 recall campaigns on federal record for the 2017 Cadillac ATS, most recently 25V175000 (Mar 20, 2025, steering); 19V086000 (Feb 7, 2019, steering). Recall completion is VIN-specific, so check the exact car.
How do I check a specific 2017 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 2017 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.