2018 Cadillac ATS Owner Complaints
Complaint Summary
The 2018 Cadillac ATS has 25 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve power train and electrical system.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 25 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
POWER TRAIN
6 24%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 12%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 8%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 8%
STEERING
2 8%
Quick Insights
The top category is POWER TRAIN, accounting for 24% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 15 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 2018 Cadillac ATS
The 2018 Cadillac ATS has 25 owner complaints in this dataset. POWER TRAIN is the most common complaint category, representing about 24% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2018 Cadillac ATS are POWER TRAIN (6), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (3), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (2).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 13 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 2018 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 15 of 15 systems
POWER TRAIN
6 Reports24% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP
7/1/2018
Transmission shudder noticed between 42 to 48 mph. It appears the transmission is shaking, it seems to be continually shifting between gears in the 42 to 48 mph range.
6/2/2022
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 Reports12% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE SCREEN IS STARTING TO SPIDER CRACK UNDERNEATH THE GLASS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY. *TR
5/26/2020
The car was parked outside at around 85 degrees. After entering the vehicle and driving with the AC on for a few minutes the CUE screen started to crack on the inside like a spider web. This has already been reported in 11576315 and 11325962. But I can't find any manufacturer communication on these. On the Internet I found that there is a class action lawsuit but only up to the year 2017 and it has already been settled privately. Since the vehicle is out of warranty there is no effort from GM to pay for the replacement. Since the CUE screen is essential for the vehicle operations, i.e. settings, navigation etc. it's a safety issue. On the Internet there are crowds of people complaining about the same issue. GM should react and offer replacement. Especially a replacement where the issue is fixed, otherwise the replacement will crack again after some years. Thanks and BR
6/26/2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
2 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP
7/1/2018
While driving started to smell gas. On same day, car stalled at an intersection in a downtown area. I could not start car. Had to push car in busy traffic to a safe place and called a tow truck. Auto shop I took to said the fuel pump came loose somehow and caused the fuel lines to break causing the fuel leak. Had lines repaired. Fuel pump was not replaced and is working.
6/5/2024
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
2 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE SCREEN IS STARTING TO SPIDER CRACK UNDERNEATH THE GLASS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY. *TR
5/26/2020
Hi, the cue screen is cracked which makes it no longer handsfree. It cracked in July of 2023 and it's a 2018, purchased in October 2017, the dealer will not fix it, I don't have $1500 to replace it with a one year warranty and it could happen again. I am not eligible for the class action suit which stopped with cars up to 2017. Please advise since this is an extreme hazard since the screen cracks and if driving using navigation it can cause an accident !
3/8/2024
STEERING
2 Reports8% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
NO POWER STEERING CLUSTER WARNING SAYS SERVICE POWER STEERING DRIVE WITH CARE
8/3/2020
My vehicle recently started experiencing an issue where the power steering would randomly cut out while I was driving. If I pulled over and shut the car off and then turned it back on the power steering would come back. But sometimes I would have to do this multiple times in a single drive just to keep the power steering on. I know that there is already a recall for this for some 2018 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles, but mine was not included in the recall, despite having the same issue. Took it to the dealer for diagnostic and they ended up having to replace the control module for the power steering which cost me around $2000.
7/8/2025
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
WOULD THE DEPT. OF TRANSPORATION BE SO NICE TO TEST VEHICLE LIGHTS AND REMOVE SOME FROM THE ROAD AS THEY ARE CAUSING A LOT OF DEATHS. IF THERE IS SOMETHING BETWEEN A DRIVER & THEM THEY CANNOT BE SEEN. THE WORSE ONE I SEE IS THE NEW CADILLAC WITH 4 OF THE DANGEROUS LIGHTS. THANKS!
4/23/2018
ENGINE
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP
7/1/2018
EQUIPMENT
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
THE SCREEN IS STARTING TO SPIDER CRACK UNDERNEATH THE GLASS. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY IN MY DRIVEWAY. *TR
5/26/2020
TIRES
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
This is the 3rd tire now that I am going to have to replace. PEPE Cadillac replaced the 1st one on 4/21/20 and another one on 6/30/21 and now another one any day. It seems like the tires start bulging off the rim and as per the dealership they are unsafe to drive and need to be replaced. It cost me $276.51 and $274.49 respectively and whatever its going to cost now to replace the 3rd one. First one failed at 10,856 miles, Second one failed at 16,244 miles and now the 3rd one at 19,967 miles. I am attaching the dealership invoices and photo for y our review. Also, as per the dealership employee GM is aware of this problem but is not doing anything.
11/18/2021
AIR BAGS
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
Vehicle was involved in a accident all front damage and airbags didnât deploy
3/13/2022
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
5am, 2/9/23, it's dark and I'm driving 90 minutes to Portland Airport. ~10 cars that came up behind with what seemed to me to have their bright lights on high beam. Approximately 7 vehicles of these were: ALL Ford F-150 (newish) pickups. Bright lights shining in rear view mirrors is a visibility hazard at night. It seems very unusual that 3/4 of the "high beam" vehicles behind me, were Ford F-150 pickups. (the others were: 1 that did have high beams, 1 with after-market blue lights that were extra bright, one with incorrectly adjusted head light angle).
2/26/2023
SUSPENSION:REAR:AXLE:NON-POWERED AXLE ASSEMBLY
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and axles, gaskets, and seals were replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and the dealer stated that the rear-end needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 59,800.
4/4/2023
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while the front passengerâs side seat was occupied, the air bag (SRS) restraint system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the presence module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
6/23/2023
AIR BAGS:SRS MALFUNCTION WARNING LAMP/LIGHT
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while the front passengerâs side seat was occupied, the air bag (SRS) restraint system warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer where it was diagnosed that the presence module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted but provided no additional assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.
6/23/2023
STEERING:ELECTRIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM
1 Report4% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
The power steering will randomly stop working while driving! We have had it in the shop 3 times and they can't find anything! We have replaced alternator, battery and it still isn't fixed! I seen u had a recall on the 16, 17, and some 18s for this issue! We have always bought GMs and are very disappointed! Could u please! Fix this issue on our car! Our car must have been over looked on this issue!
1/22/2025
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 2018 Cadillac ATS?
Are complaints about the 2018 Cadillac ATS a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2018 Cadillac ATS?
Are complaints about the 2018 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
- 25
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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