The 2016 Cadillac ATS is associated with 35 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 3 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 7 reports (20% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 8 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2.5l 4-cyl, 2l 4-cyl, and 3.6l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 19 to 26 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 35 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 3 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Powertrain (7 / 20%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 3 crash / 1 fire / 4 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 19–26 MPG (8 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| ATS | 2.5L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 22 MPG | 32 MPG | 26 MPG | — | $2,350 / yr |
| ATS | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 22 MPG | 31 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| ATS | 3.6L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 20 MPG | 29 MPG | 24 MPG | — | $2,550 / yr |
| ATS | 2L 4-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 20 MPG | 28 MPG | 23 MPG | — | $3,300 / yr |
| ATS-V | 3.6L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Manual 6-spd | 17 MPG | 23 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| ATS-V | 3.6L 6-Cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 16 MPG | 24 MPG | 19 MPG | — | $4,000 / yr |
| ATS AWD | 2L 4-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 22 MPG | 30 MPG | 25 MPG | — | $3,050 / yr |
| ATS AWD | 3.6L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 19 MPG | 27 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| 2DR AWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| 4 DR AWD | | | | | 10.100000000000001% |
| 2DR RWD | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | — |
| 4 DR RWD | | | | | 10.100000000000001% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Cadillac ATS models.
View complete 2016 Cadillac ATS crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Cadillac ATS problems & component breakdown (18 categories) →
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer 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.
Affected Component: VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
Affected Component: VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
Defect Summary: 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."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
View all 2016 Cadillac ATS recalls & campaign history (3 campaigns) →