2017 Cadillac ATS Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2017 Cadillac ATS has 39 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve steering and unknown or other.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 39 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
STEERING
11 28.2%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6 15.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6 15.4%
POWER TRAIN
4 10.3%
ENGINE
3 7.7%
Quick Insights
The top category is STEERING, accounting for 28.2% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 12 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2017 Cadillac ATS
The 2017 Cadillac ATS has 39 owner complaints in this dataset. STEERING is the most common complaint category, representing about 28% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2017 Cadillac ATS are STEERING (11), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (6).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 24 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2017 Cadillac ATS?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 12 of 12 systems
STEERING
11 Reports28% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I HAVE A 2017 CADILLAC ATS AND THE PROBLEM WITH THE POWER STEERING HAS STILL NOT BEEN RESOLVED THIS IS A CRITICAL ISSUE WITH DRIVING AS A 69 YEAR OLD I NOW HAVE BECOME HESITANT TO DRIVE THE CAR NOT ONLY FOR MY SAFETY BUT OTHERS IF THE STEERING FAILS AND I CAUSE AN ACCIDENT I BELIEVE GM NEEDS TO BUY THE CAR BACK BEFORE SOMEBODY IS KILLED OR INJURED A RECALL ON A 2017 SHOULD NOT HAPPEN
3/4/2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V086000 (STEERING). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AUTONATION CADILLAC PORT RICHEY (9921 US-19, PORT RICHEY, FL 34668, (727) 264-0817) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND CONFIRMED THAT PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.
3/6/2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
6 Reports15% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ATS. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (LES STANFORD CHEVROLET, 21711 MICHIGAN AVE, DEARBORN, MI 48124). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE RESULTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
4/23/2018
THE CUE ON MY CADILLAC 2018 ATS JUST STOP WORKING , I SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT MILLIONS ,OF CADILLAC OWNERS CUE HAS STOPPED WORKING. MY CAR ONLY HAS 60,000 MILES, I GOT IT NEW IN 2018 JUNE. PLEASE HELP US WITH THIS PROBLEM. MY NAME IS[XXX] ,EMAIL ADDRESS [XXX] PHONE [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
11/30/2020
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
6 Reports15% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT VARIOUS WARNING INDICATORS AND GAUGES FLICKERED OFF AND ON. WHITES CHEVROLET BUICK GMC CADILLAC (173 OLD FARM RD, ROANOKE RAPIDS, NC 27870, (252) 507-0374) WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V086000 (STEERING). THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED MORE THAN ONCE, BUT COULD NOT SCHEDULE A TIME FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
7/9/2019
THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DROPS TO E. THE TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY DOES NOT WORK AT TIMES YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE CAR TO GET IT TO WORK.
9/20/2019
POWER TRAIN
4 Reports10% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS ON LIGHT ACCELERATION (WORST AT AROUND 50 MPH) GENERAL ACCELERATION FEELS SIMILAR TO AN ENGINE MISFIRE WITH INTERMITTENT DROPS IN POWER. SOME TIMES TRANSMISSION CAN SHIFT HARD AND HAVE A BANG, JARRING FEELING.
8/9/2019
AT MAJOR INTERSECTION WAS AT A STOP RED LIGHT. BEGAN ACCELERATING VEHICLE STALLED AND THE LIGHT ENGINE TURNED ON, TRANSMISSION STUCK AT FIRST GEAR AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE ABOVE 20MPH. THIS HAPPENED AS I TRIED PASSING A VEHICLE IN FRONT TO LATER MAKE A TURN. THE CAR HAS HAD THIS ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES. REPORTED TO CADILLAC THEY ASKED THAT I REPORT AS A LEMON MEANWHILE THIS IS A LEASE VEHICLE.
9/2/2019
ENGINE
3 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CADILLAC ATS. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER (LES STANFORD CHEVROLET, 21711 MICHIGAN AVE, DEARBORN, MI 48124). THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE RESULTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 34,000.
4/23/2018
My air bag light randomly appeared and has been on for at about year now the dealership wants me to pay a ridiculous amount of money for all of these safety hazards including to fix my âairbag sensorâ when I have never used the airbags. I am the one and only owner of the car which I purchased directly from the Ed Morse bayview Cadillac dealership. Faulty airbags and or sensors are a huge safety hazard. I need to know my airbags are working correctly as well as the sensors not only for my safety but as well as my child. My car has recently been diagnosed with serious transmission problems which include a vibration at 50 mph shuddering erratically and frequently to the point it is scary to drive. the transmission going out could cause me to get into an accident or be stuck in the road and put into danger which is another safety hazard. Lastly, The electric CUE screen is supposed to be used for safety for many reasons which include hands-free directions when you are lost and can use gps without having to use your phone while driving. You need the CUE screen to be able to access the radio for alerts and warnings. You need the CUE screen to able to use your phone hands-free to prevent accidents. The CUE screen is defective. The screens they use cannot withstand the heat and they sell you the car knowing the screens donât last and will crack and no longer have the touch screen ability to control or use any of the features for our safety.
1/19/2024
SERVICE BRAKES
2 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
UPON BRAKING CAR SHAKES AND MAKES A LOUD NOISE BUT EVENTUALY STOPS. ABOUT 8 DAYS LATER WHILE PARKING THE BRAKES FAILED TO OPERATE RESULTING IN A COLLISION.
1/23/2018
The contact owns a 2017 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while driving approximately 75 MPH and attempting to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal was very stiff and hard to depress causing the braking distance to be extended. The contact drove off the roadway to avoid a collision and activated the parking brake and shifted to park(P) causing the vehicle to come to an abrupt stop. During the failure the âService Brake Assist" message was displayed. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,098.
5/16/2022
AIR BAGS
2 Reports5% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
My air bag light randomly appeared and has been on for at about year now the dealership wants me to pay a ridiculous amount of money for all of these safety hazards including to fix my âairbag sensorâ when I have never used the airbags. I am the one and only owner of the car which I purchased directly from the Ed Morse bayview Cadillac dealership. Faulty airbags and or sensors are a huge safety hazard. I need to know my airbags are working correctly as well as the sensors not only for my safety but as well as my child. My car has recently been diagnosed with serious transmission problems which include a vibration at 50 mph shuddering erratically and frequently to the point it is scary to drive. the transmission going out could cause me to get into an accident or be stuck in the road and put into danger which is another safety hazard. Lastly, The electric CUE screen is supposed to be used for safety for many reasons which include hands-free directions when you are lost and can use gps without having to use your phone while driving. You need the CUE screen to be able to access the radio for alerts and warnings. You need the CUE screen to able to use your phone hands-free to prevent accidents. The CUE screen is defective. The screens they use cannot withstand the heat and they sell you the car knowing the screens donât last and will crack and no longer have the touch screen ability to control or use any of the features for our safety.
1/19/2024
In center console there is a dual USB port for either charging or data for CarPlay. When two phones are plugged in and charging, and one phone is in passengers hand, while vehicle is in motion or stopped, the airbag warning light will illuminate. When the phone is removed from passenger seat, airbag warning light turns off. This will happen any number of times and is very easy to reproduce issue. This problem is only occurring more often now that I have a passenger in the car. But it will happen if any phone is plugged in and sitting on the seat. It went to the dealer with this issue a couple years ago but they couldnât get it to happen again because the phone wasnât on the seat plugged in. If the airbag warning light is on, then the system will not function, therefore, if this happened right before an accident, the airbags may not deploy, putting all passengers at risk.
6/5/2025
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DROPS TO E. THE TOUCH SCREEN DISPLAY DOES NOT WORK AT TIMES YOU HAVE TO TURN OFF THE CAR TO GET IT TO WORK.
9/20/2019
STRUCTURE:BODY
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Cadillac ATS is sold with a faulty driver console. The console is known as the Cadillac User Experience (CUE). Faulty-console is a serious safety issue for the following reasons: 1. Driver distractions: loss of navigation and unexpected changes in radio and air-conditioning are constant distractions. These distractions take the driver's attention away from the roadway. They also force driver's to make unexpected stops on highways and roadways. 2. Customer profile: Cadillac ATS customers are mostly seniors and mature individuals. Constant distractions have amplified impact. Considering the above major factors, the faulty console is a safety issue due to constant distractions. We paid $1,065.30 to replace the faulty CUE screen for something that must be recalled. There are many references made to faulty CUE consoles
4/5/2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
My headlight bulbs have been replaced and checked 2x by the used auto superstore which I will not name at this time ! and by the manufacturer (dealer) but once itâs dark out and the automatic brights come on and either both or one side goes completely out only to come back on sometimes or not at all which is very dangerous especially at night !
3/4/2023
VISIBILITY/WIPER
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
My headlight bulbs have been replaced and checked 2x by the used auto superstore which I will not name at this time ! and by the manufacturer (dealer) but once itâs dark out and the automatic brights come on and either both or one side goes completely out only to come back on sometimes or not at all which is very dangerous especially at night !
3/4/2023
BACK OVER PREVENTION:DISPLAY FUNCTION
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
My Que Screen has webbed and makes it impossible to view my screen, important vehicles warnings and my maps for directions. This has been a recall in the past. Prior to me owning my vehicle. I canât believe Cadillac installed junk in their vehicles. A third party is a direct extension of YoUR business. Do better. This is horrible. I demand a recall repair. If this was known and you all didnât want to fix these vehicles should be pulled off the roadways. Right your wrongs.
9/14/2025
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2017 Cadillac ATS?
Are complaints about the 2017 Cadillac ATS a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2017 Cadillac ATS?
Are complaints about the 2017 Cadillac ATS severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Cadillac ATS: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 39
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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