The Lemon Index
20141st generation
Worse than average · most complaints: engine
73 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 Acura TL 362013 Audi A6 362013 Mercedes-Benz CLA
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,000 and 16,000 miles (1,700–27,000 km) (the middle half of the 69 complaints, of all 73 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 15V558000 (visibility), 15V463000 (visibility) and 14V488000 (seat belts) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Cadillac sent dealers 2402 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Due to engine overheating and ses light message in display, along with activity protection mode”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Cadillac's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 73 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 16K miles (2K to 27K km) on the car (69 of all 73 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
2.5 liter engine on my 2013 Cadillac ATS shakes while sitting at traffic lights. Gm updated the software three times on a recall but now advised that the engine shaking in normal and they can do nothing about it.
2013 Cadillac ATS owner · NHTSA complaint 10547118
More owner reports
Piston failure 2013 ATS required motor replacement.
NHTSA complaint 10683839
2013 Cadillac ATS 6mt stalls when decelerating with an ensuing loss of power steering. Cadillac has come up with a software fix for this issue. Software written to protect the flywheel was modified to eliminate this problem.
NHTSA complaint 10577025
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 14.4M views · 2013–2019 Cadillac ATS
Most-watched topics
- Heat, A/C & blend door189K views
2014 Cadillac ATS 2.0T Blend Door Actuator ReplacementRussell Beermann · 72K views · 3 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical177K views
How to: Restart a Blacked out Radio on a 2013 Cadillac ATS if touch screen is not workingGEORGE LOPEZ HOW TO DO IT YOUR SELF · 100K views · 4 videos - Oil leaks & gaskets86K views
2014 CADILLAC ATS4 2.0 TURBO | VALVE COVER GASKET REPLACEMENT | OIL LEAK | Howto/DiyThe PullUpKing 👨🏾🔧 · 57K views · 3 videos - Transmission & shifter75K views
Remove TCM Transmission Control module Install unlocked TCM on 2018 Cadillac ATS 2 0TBoost Them All BTA · 39K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Cooling system75K views
2013-2019 Cadillac ATS 2.0T Coolant Leak - EASY FIXJeff Lyle · 32K views · 3 videos - Intake, EGR & engine sensors72K views
2013-2018 Cadillac ATS 2.0T - P0171 Vacuum Leak - EASY FIXJeff Lyle · 37K views · 2 videos - Death wobble & steering56K views
2013 Cadillac ATS Suspension Clunk Repair (Sway Bar Link/Tie Rod End) (Mini Projects Ep.8)Fuzzy Dice Projects · 56K views - Windows, doors & mirrors51K views
2013-19 Cadillac ATS temperature door blend actuator replacement - PASSENGER sideOscar Benitez · 51K views
Before you buy, watch
2013 Cadillac ATS Premium (3.6 & 2.0T) Start Up, Exhaust, and In Depth ReviewSaabkyle04 · 560K views
Review: 2017 Cadillac ATS-V (Manual)Matt Maran Motoring · 432K views
2016 Cadillac ATS-V Coupe 6MT: Regular Car ReviewsRegular Car Reviews · 343K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2013 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Cadillac told dealers about
Cadillac sent dealers 2402 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Due to engine overheating and ses light message in display, along with activity protection mode
- Service update for inventory and customer vehicles transfer case oil delivery tube installed
- On some trucks and passenger vehicles, accessory power outlets (apo) and trailer lighting are
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Visibility · recall issued 2015
In the affected vehicles, the coil antenna module that powers the rear defogger system may generate excessive heat due to excessive cycling or continuous operation.
- Visibility · recall issued 2015
The affected vehicles may experience the roof panel closing automatically when the non-recessed switches are pressed and the roof panel is open.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the driver and passenger lap belt pretensioner cables may not lock in a retracted position, allowing the seat belts to extend when pulled upon.
Show all 6 recalls
- Seats · recall issued 2014
Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
- Transmission & drivetrain · recall issued 2014
In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.
- Electrical · recall issued 2013
Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cadillac ATS 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Cadillac ATS 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,300–$2,850 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Every Cadillac ATS year. 2013 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 4 Cadillac ATS years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-ats/?y=2013" title="Cadillac ATS reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="307" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/cadillac-ats/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Cadillac ATS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Cadillac ATS reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 130; 100 is average, lower is better). The Cadillac ATS year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2015.
What are the most common 2013 Cadillac ATS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (47%), transmission & drivetrain (29%) and electrical (26%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Cadillac ATS have?
6 safety recalls (latest: visibility). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Cadillac ATS get?
21 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 Cadillac ATS safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2013 Cadillac ATS problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 1,000 and 16,000 miles (1,700–27,000 km) (the middle half of the 69 complaints, of all 73 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2013 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2013 Cadillac ATS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 29% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2013 Cadillac ATS cost in fuel a year?
About $2,300 to $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Cadillac ATS have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Cadillac ATS year is better than the 2013?
Nearby, the 2015 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works