The Lemon Index
201720191st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 10,859 in the U.S. in 2018 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 5 complaints in its first 3 years.
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 19–25 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2018 Audi A62018 Mercedes-Benz CLA 572018 Audi A4 45
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
Engines & versions
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V175000 (steering) and 18V358000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the headlights, taillights and turn signals work?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
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 5 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 →
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 2018 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.
Recalls 2
- Steering · recall issued 2025
The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2018
The high pressure fuel pump may detach from its mounting flange, possibly resulting in the pump damaging the high pressure fuel line.
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 2DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Cadillac ATS 2DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Cadillac ATS 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Cadillac ATS 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Cadillac ATS-V 2DR RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Cadillac ATS-V 4 DR RWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$3,950 (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, 3.6L 6-cyl.
Every Cadillac ATS year. 2018 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 2018 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/cadillac-ats/?y=2018" 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/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 Cadillac ATS reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 Cadillac ATS reliable?
We can't score it: only 10,859 were sold in the U.S. in 2018 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2018 Cadillac ATS problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are lights (20%), transmission & drivetrain (20%) and engine (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Cadillac ATS have?
2 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Cadillac ATS get?
19 to 25 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2018 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.
Does the 2018 Cadillac ATS have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2018 Cadillac ATS cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $3,950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Cadillac ATS have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl.
What Cadillac ATS year is better than the 2018?
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