Power Train Problems of Cadillac ATS - part 1

In August 2026, at approximately 99,639 miles, my 2014 Cadillac Ats was taken to an authorized Cadillac dealership for service. During the inspection, the dealership discovered and diagnosed a leaking right rear axle shaft seal. I was not aware of the leak beforehand and did not receive a warning light or message indicating the condition. The dealership’s written repair order states that the right rear axle shaft seal was leaking and that the right rear axle seal was replaced. The repair was completed at my expense. I have the dealership repair order and invoice documenting the diagnosis, mileage, parts replaced, and repair. After the repair, I researched this issue and found other NHTSA consumer complaints involving rear axle/differential seal leakage on 2014 Cadillac Ats vehicles. I also found gm manufacturer communications addressing rear axle leakage on certain Cadillac Ats vehicles. I am reporting this failure so NHTSA has a record of another rear axle seal leak involving a Cadillac Ats and can determine whether this condition may represent a broader defect or safety trend. I do not know the specific underlying cause of the seal failure and am not asserting that it has been established as the same cause as any other reported vehicle. The failed seal was replaced by the dealership. Documentation of the diagnosis and repair is available upon request.

See all problems of the 2014 Cadillac ATS 🔎.

My 2014 Cadillac Ats experienced a transmission shift cable/linkage failure. After driving normally, I pulled into my garage and moved the shifter to park. The physical shifter was in park, but the instrument cluster continued to indicate drive (d). The vehicle would not recognize park, the shifter became stuck, and the vehicle would not restart because the transmission was still being detected as being in drive. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Cadillac dealership for diagnosis. The dealership confirmed that the range selector lever cable had detached from the shift shaft. Their written diagnosis states that the plastic retainers securing the cable failed, causing the shifter to show the wrong drive mode. The dealer recommended replacement of the range selector lever cable. I later learned that this vehicle was previously subject to gm safety recall 14179 / NHTSA recall 14v-338 concerning the automatic transmission shift cable. Gm records show the recall was completed in 2014 through inspection; I was informed that no replacement part was installed at that time because none was required. I am reporting this because the vehicle has now experienced a shift cable/linkage detachment that appears similar to the failure condition addressed by that recall. This created a safety concern because the physical shifter position did not correspond with the transmission gear indicated/engaged, and the vehicle could not reliably be placed in park. The vehicle and failed condition have been inspected and documented by an authorized Cadillac dealership. Dealer documentation and video of the diagnosis are available.

Transmission fluid temperature sensor in the 8 speed automatic 8l90 transmission from gm is a known issue. Causes vehicle to shift/jerk erratically especially in stop and go traffic.

See all problems of the 2017 Cadillac ATS 🔎.

On 3rd differential in 2 years. Dealer won’t fix without us paying another $4,700. There is no way a differential goes 3 times in 2 years. Something is wrong. Help!!.

See all problems of the 2016 Cadillac ATS 🔎.

Vehicle transmission shift cable failed. This part is considered recalled, but gm is refusing to fix.

Rear differential. This part will be available after removal. This put me at risk of potentially locking up while driving. According to the dealership, faulkner Cadillac, "found rear differential bearings damaged, causing noise in the rear end. The rear differential will need replaced. " there were no warning lights, but there was noise - a new, not normal noise I noticed two weeks prior to the diagnostic procedure by the dealership service department. This is the second rear differential failure. The service writer said there was no sign of leakage.

See all problems of the 2018 Cadillac ATS 🔎.

When driving at around 40-50mph you can feel that the car has a shudder vibration. Took the car into Cadillac where they are informing me that it is the torque converter that needs replacement. No warning lights. If not fixed can lead to transmission failure.

My vehicle will shift out of gear but will not move and there is a rattling sound when the gear is tried to be put back in park and rest of gears.

See all problems of the 2013 Cadillac ATS 🔎.

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Ats. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and switching gears, the vehicle would not move forward or reverse. No warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic where they advised the contact that the failure was possibly related to NHTSA campaign number: 14v338000 (power train). Another local independent mechanic was contacted for a second opinion who advised the contact that the transmission shifter cable failed. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired due to the VIN not being included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v338000 (power train). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

I was driving the car and trying to put the car in park at the stop light. The car shifter moved, but the shifter wasn't going into any other gear. The shifter moves forward and back, but nothing happens. I almost got in an accident and my dad had to help me park the car. I saw this is a past recall issue and I called Cadillac and they stated I needed to tow my vehicle there and there are no open recalls, so it will be out of pocket. They can't even see my car until the 31st at the soonest. I could've been seriously injured or injured someone else.

After routine maintenance (oil change) at Cadillac of knoxville on 5/7/2024, I was notified that my rear differential was leaking. After I arrived back home, upon further research, I found that this was a common problem for this make and model of car and that there was a recall for Cadillac Ats' manufactured between 2013-2016. After calling gm's customer service line, the representative expressed that my VIN did not register under the specific recall and therefore would not qualify for a replacement rear differential. This is a problem in which can total my vehicle, though no problems besides the leak have occurred as of my knowledge. There was no indication before the oil change on 5/7 of a leak, no warning lamps or other telling signs. If I had not brought my vehicle for its routine maintenance, I would not be aware of the situation.

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Ats. The contact discovered the NHTSA campaign number: 14v338000 (power train). The contact discovered that the recall was repaired, however, the failure recurred. The contact's husband was parked in the vehicle while shifting into drive, the gear shift became stuck in between park and drive. The contact turned the vehicle off, however, the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with automatic transmission control shift cable detachment. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

My engine rpm would randomly lock to 4000 rpms while driving, I could rev the car or apply the brakes but it will sit their until it decides to respond. This has happened a few times and mostly down hill and flats. Difficult to replicate. Cooling system has been a plague at around 80k miles I've had to replace a clamp at the back near the water outlet flange which I was quoted $2000 for just the labor alone as the engine would need to be removed. And the water pump failed at around 82000 miles. Also plagued with p06de "engine oil pressure control circuit stuck on" error code a few times now.

Took it in 2 weeks ago for an oil changed and they replaced a camshaft solenoid saying that was causing my issues. I had to take it back yesterday and now they're telling me it's a torque converter or a transmission and it's going to cost me $3,500. After reviewing I think have gm has a lot of issues with this component . Gm was aware of the situation and never fixed it. As I read through the technical bulletin due to the cost so they have the consumers pick up the cost.

What are the cooling hoses that carry coolant from the engine to the radiator busted not once but twice. It has many electrical problems even when cleared with an obd2 sensor they will still come on. The power steering is completely off and malfunctions.

The contact owns a 2018 Cadillac Ats. The contact stated while driving at undisclosed speeds, there was an abnormal growling sound coming from the vehicle. The contact looked underneath the vehicle, checked the tires, and checked the inside of the vehicle but found no failure. The contact continued to drive the vehicle and heard an abnormal winding or rubber sound. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the differential needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000.

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Ats. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle and attempting to shift into drive, the vehicle failed to shift out of park. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related it to NHTSA campaign number: 14v338000 (power train), and the VIN was included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was repaired under the recall by the previous owner of the vehicle. The manufacturer referred the contact to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Rear differential issue.

Second time shifter cable failed. Thankfully I was in park and not driving. I had it replaced in 2021 and now 2023 it did the same thing.

Unexpected shutter of vehicle, loss of power, unpredictable forward motion, erratic movement, delayed acceleration.

Differential keeps going out.

My ball joints on both sides were completely gone, my struts have given out repaired all at the same time, because of those things going out it completely ruined my tires to where they squeak down the road. Both differentials are leaking and my transmission shutters, I also had to replace my water pump that was leaking cooling everywhere.

1. The transmission shudders at high speeds and at low speeds it either hesitates to shift gears or it lurches forward causing a rough shifting of gears. 2. I feel as though when I am braking and my car lurches forward, sometimes I have to brake even harder just to get the car to stop in time. This has caused me to almost hit pedestrians and/or other car. At high speeds, when the transmission shudders, I feel as though I have to slow down in order to stop the aggressive shaking, making others driving behind me have to slow down. 3. A former family mechanic has tried to resolve the transmission issue for me and he was unsuccessful in doing so. I have not taken it to a dealer or a big name mechanic. 4. The vehicle has not been inspected by insurance, police or the manufacturer. Only a family mechanic. 5. As far as I know, there was no prior indicating symptoms of the issue as I bought the car how it currently is. I was told upon purchase that the transmission has a shudder at high speeds and at hesitation of shifting gears at low speeds.

2018 Cadillac Ats (most of the Cadillac vehicles reported same issue). The transmission fluid is wrong fluid by manufacturer and driving at regular speed all of a sudden it starts shuddering and loses power or slows down at freeway speeds or any local roads. Took the car for inspection to a local dealer and they said it is the transmission fluid which has to be upgraded and charged me hundreds of dollars. But how it is not recalled by gm since they sold the cars with wrong transmission fluid which is causing these issues?.

My rear differential completely stopped on the freeway, not moving and saying over 100 mph and my car was barely rolling I am extremely lucky that I did not get rear ended because I was very close to that happening, a few cars had swerved to not crash. Luckily I was able to push my car to the exit and get off of the freeway to wait for the flatbed to pick me up. It is available to be inspected it’s just parked until I can get it fixed, the part is $1800 and I have not been able to afford it. I had a mechanic come and look at it and I was told what part it is. There was absolutely no warning lights for this issue.

See all problems of the 2015 Cadillac ATS 🔎.

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Ats. The contact stated while attempting to reverse, the gear shifter was stuck in park(p), while the instrument panel indicated that the vehicle was in neutral(n). There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that there was a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 14v338000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

Rear differential is a main issue with the 2013 Cadillac Ats I have read many complains I’m not understanding why there has yet to be a recall on the year an model there was a recall on the 2014 cts. But for the 2013 Ats the dealership said there was poor welding which caused leaks and that should have been and automatic recall.

I’ve only had this vehicle for about 2 years now. I purchased it off of carvana and had 30 days I could’ve returned the vehicle if there was issues. When I first got it, I noticed the vehicles gas pedal would shutter a tad while going up a hill or at a higher speed like on the highway. It would also jolt a little while taking off but when I took it to the dealership they were saying everything is normal and I believed everything was fine since there was no lights on the dash, it was my first time ever buying a car myself, and I had no reason not to trust them. The vehicle is now at a little less than 85,000 miles and I can’t drive it because of how bad it’s jerking, I did a little more research and come to find out this is a huge issue with gms vehicles transmissions within that years range however my vehicle in particular isn’t on that list. The cts and I believe even a few Ats vs were on there but mine is doing the same exact behaviors as they’re describing. If there’s any way you guys can help me out it would honestly be a blessing.

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.

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac Ats. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while attempting to accelerate. There was a howling sound coming from the driver’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear differential failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle not been repaired due to the part being on backorder. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was inoperable. The approximate failure mileage was 55,000.

2011 Cadillac Ats 3. 6, rear differential went out, repairmen has stated that this part is not available anywhere, and that Cadillac should have recalled this in the Ats, because there is a shortage of this part. Due to the inefficiency of the rear differential. But, Cadillac would have been out of a lot of money. Without this part, the Cadillac is undrivable.

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac Ats. The contact stated while driving 55 mph on the highway the transmission was shifting irregularly and the vehicle started to decelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact was able to pull off to the side of the roadway and waited 10-15 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact was able to drive safely to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,396.

The contact owns a 2013 Cadillac Ats. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a parking lot, the vehicle was shifted to reverse and then shifted to drive however, the vehicle moved backwards. The brakes would not engage when depressed to stop the vehicle from moving backwards. The contact applied parking brakes to stop the vehicle. The contact had assistance from an independent mechanic who helped to move the vehicle into a parking space. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired and remained at the parking lot. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA campaign number: 14v338000 (power train). The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Transmission shift cable detach. The gear selected does not change for the vehicle to operate correctly.

The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac Ats. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter was engaged but the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission shift cable had detached, and the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 14v338000 (power train). The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that her VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.