2016 Cadillac ATS recalls and problems

The 2016 Cadillac ATS has 3 recalls and 32 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is power train.

2016 Cadillac Ats
Photo: 2016 Cadillac Ats by Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
How the 2016 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 7 ATS model years — 4th most.

3recalls
32complaints
3crashes
0fires
5injuries
27,500median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.
Check your VIN →

3 recalls

Air Bags

May 21, 2026 · NHTSA campaign 26V329000 · 5,014 vehicles

Problem: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015 Cadillac Escalade, Escalade ESV, XTS, 2015-2016 Cadillac ATS, CTS, and SRX vehicles. The front-driver air bag inflator may rupture during deployment.

Risk: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the front-driver air bag module, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed June 19, 2026. Additional letters will be mailed once the remedy is available. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-333-4223. The manufacturer's number for this recall is N262555870. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on May 21, 2026.

Visibility

Sep 3, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V558000 · 96,145 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Cadillac ATS sedan vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to September 2, 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.

Risk: If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, there is an increased risk of a fire.

Remedy & notes

GM will notify owners, and dealers will update the Electronic Climate Control module to remove the automatic rear defogger "on" function, free of charge. The recall began on October 16, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15299.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Visibility

Jul 24, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V463000 · 63,665 vehicles

Problem: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 25, 2012, to June 25, 2015. The affected vehicles may experience the roof panel closing automatically when the non-recessed switches are pressed and the roof panel is open. These vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

Risk: Because the switch is not recessed, the roof panel switch may inadvertently be pressed resulting in unintended auto-closure of the roof panel, increasing the risk of personal injury.

Remedy & notes

GM will notify owners and dealers will replace the roof console accessory switch trim plate, free of charge. The recall began on August 19, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15568. Note this recall supersedes 15V-106.

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2017: 2 complaints20172018: 1 complaints20182019: 6 complaints20192020: 8 complaints202082021: 3 complaints20212022: 1 complaints20222023: 2 complaints20232024: 3 complaints20242025: 3 complaints20252026: 3 complaints20263

2016 vs. other Cadillac ATS years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2016. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2016 Cadillac ATS have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns covering the 2016 Cadillac ATS, the latest from May 21, 2026 (air bags). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Cadillac ATS?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention power train (10), electrical system (6), air bags (5). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.