2015 Cadillac Ats Safety Report
2015 Cadillac ATS Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2015 Cadillac Ats
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2015 Cadillac Ats. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (3) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (27) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 1 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Exterior Lighting | Compare exterior lighting issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2019 | Compare against the 2019 Cadillac Ats with 2 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2016 | Check the 2016 Cadillac Ats before buying across this generation. |
Cadillac Ats Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Cadillac Ats years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Cadillac Ats | 32 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2017 Cadillac Ats | 30 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2018 Cadillac Ats | 20 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Cadillac Ats | 2 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2015 Cadillac Ats Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2015 Cadillac Ats, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Exterior Lighting
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Cadillac onlyPower Train
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Cadillac onlySteering
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Cadillac onlySteering,Electrical System
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering,Electrical System issues Cadillac onlyTires
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Tires issues Cadillac onlyUnknown Or Other
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Cadillac onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2015 Cadillac Ats
Reliability Score
The 2015 Cadillac Ats receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2015 Cadillac Ats
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2015 Cadillac Ats
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2015 Cadillac Ats:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Steering Several owners reported issues with the power steering, which first appeared after 3-4 months of ownership. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Service Brakes Service brakes were recalled due to hydraulic pedal and linkages issues, affecting the 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS models. |
High | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Tires Tire issues were reported, with one owner mentioning Firestone tires as problematic. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Visibility Visibility issues, particularly with the defroster/defogger system, were reported in a recall by General Motors. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2015 Cadillac Ats:
23% of owners reported issues with the power steering system.
20% of owners reported issues with the service brakes.
15% of owners reported tire-related issues.
10% of owners reported visibility issues.
Recall Details for the 2015 Cadillac Ats
The following 3 recalls have been issued for the 2015 Cadillac Ats by NHTSA:
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.
Consequence: If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, there is an increased risk of a fire.
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.
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."
Consequence: 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: 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.
Summary: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles. The affected vehicles have a bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the brakes that may fracture during normal brake pedal operation.
Consequence: If the bracket fractures, the driver would not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected bracket, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15352.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2015 Cadillac Ats
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2015 Cadillac Ats with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 1 reported injuries or fatalities.
I bought my car from a dealership. Owned it for 2yrs 2mo. 107k miles First issue came up after 3-4 months. Faulty power steering. Took it to service at a dealership they said I would need my wire harness assembly replaced as well as a steering gear. Problem still persists. Also one of the mechanics there showed me that the previous owner glued harness connector components together which is why I s...
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS equipped with Firestone Tires, Tire Line: Fire Hawk A5V2, Tire Size: 225/45/R18, DOT Number: 17X4F9J46. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH in rain, the vehicle hydroplaned. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provi...
We have owned the 2015 ATS Cadillac since August 31, 2016 . The rear glass is blurry when looking back from the front seat. We replaced the rear view mirror thought that was the problem but didn’t correct. I checked on the windshield glass. I took these number off the rear glass. GM DOT-376 AS2 M2H3 Trans 70 o/o Min. E6 43R-008011 AGC Automotive 30 B A006450 Tempered GS.I have a picture showing ...
The white pearl paint is chippng off everywhere. It started aat the drivers door directly under the rear view mirror. The underside of the trunk deck lid is completely paint free at this point. There are bubbles eroding on the drivers side rear fender area. When a paint meter was used to check the thickneess of the paint - it was disagnosed at a "1'", WHICH IS THE THINNEST possible number on the...
The CUE SYSTEM not totally working, and panel plastic is all spider web looking. I view this as a very bad problem( it won’t go to settings), no radio, can’t set the clock Not sure on all the problems as I can’t get to it to find out.
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed and depressing the brake pedal all the way to the floorboard, the vehicle hesitated to respond as needed. The brake assist warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake vacuum pump had failed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure ...
See attached document for complaint
I received a warning message : Right low beam light failure. I took the car to the deal and was quoted a price of $900.00 to replace the light. This is a safety issue and should not cost that much to replace a light. Searching the web, that is an average price for this type of repair???
The cue system screen has become unresponsive due to separation of the glue the system is pretty much the heart of the car everything electrical is controlled thre that screen along with the back up camera
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’...
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, there was a clicking sound coming from the vehicle. The brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard; however, the vehicle failed to stop as needed. The contact activated the parking brake, and the vehicle was able to stop. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated t...
The contact owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 30-40 MPH, the power steering warning light illuminated, and the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact decelerated and pulled into the driveway of a business. However, the contact was able to park on the side of the driveway. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the steer...
The CUE screen doesn’t work, has spider web on each corner, can’t use hands free phone or navigation, the screen won’t change from the taking your eyes off message while driving.
The contact’s son owns a 2015 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that while his son was exiting his driveway, the vehicle lost power steering assist with the power steering warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered that the bolts holding the steering motor had corroded and fallen out of the rack and pinion. The contact called the dealer and w...
At 38,000 miles, rear differential leak discovered. Dealership repaired leak. At 42,000 dear differential leak discovered. Prognosis: rear differential failure. Dealership replaced rear differential, shocks. Cost repairs paid by me (cadillac rejected paying repairs).
ON FEBRUARY 22ND 2021 THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO A AUTO REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING WAS WET AND THE ENTIRE WIRING HAD COMPLETELY BURNED OUT. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS REPAIRS DONE ON THIS VEHICLE FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED IT TO THE PRESENT DATE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 CADILLAC ATS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES BECAME INOPERABLE AND FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE BRAKE ASSIST AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE BRAKES THREE WEEKS PRIOR HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT A RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS I...
REAR END IS MAKING HOWLING SOUND. THE SOUND STARTED IN LATE DECEMBER OF 2019. SINCE THEN I HAVE ONLY DROVE THE CAR TO THE REPAIR FACILITY THIS WEEK. CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITY IS STATING MY DIFFERENTIAL IS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
THE VEHICLE CUE SCREEN CRACKING. I HAD THE SCREEN REPLACED IN 2017 AND NOW THE SCREEN IS CRACKED.*DT CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A LAWSUIT AGAINST GM FOR USING PLASTIC SCREENS FROM 2012 CADILLAC MODELS WHEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED. CURRENTLY CADILLAC IS CHARGING $1,000 TO $2,000 TO REPAIR THE SCREEN.*JB *TR
I NOTICED A ROARING NOISE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SEVERAL MONTHS BEFORE TAKING IT IN TO THE DEALER I WENT TO BARKLEY CADILLAC GMC IN TUSCALOOSA ALABAMA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE REAR END HAD A PROBLEM AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.
Showing 20 of 27 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2015 Cadillac Ats
Has the 2015 CADILLAC ATS been recalled?
Yes, the 2015 CADILLAC ATS has 3 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2015 CADILLAC ATS have?
The 2015 CADILLAC ATS has 27 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 1 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2015 CADILLAC ATS?
The 2015 CADILLAC ATS received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2015 CADILLAC ATS?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2015 CADILLAC ATS involve exterior lighting (3 complaints), power train (3 complaints), steering (3 complaints). Other affected components include steering,electrical system, tires, unknown or other.
How many crash reports does the 2015 CADILLAC ATS have?
There are 1 crash reports associated with the 2015 CADILLAC ATS out of 27 total complaints (3.7% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2015 CADILLAC ATS have?
There are no fire reports for the 2015 CADILLAC ATS in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2015 CADILLAC ATS?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 CADILLAC ATS.
How many injuries are reported for the 2015 CADILLAC ATS?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2015 CADILLAC ATS. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2015 CADILLAC ATS?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2015 CADILLAC ATS is generally recommended. It has 27 complaints, 3 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2015 CADILLAC ATS?
The components with the most failures on the 2015 CADILLAC ATS are: 1. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (3 complaints), 2. POWER TRAIN (3 complaints), 3. STEERING (3 complaints), 4. STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (2 complaints), 5. TIRES (2 complaints). EXTERIOR LIGHTING is the single most-reported problem area with 3 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2015 CADILLAC ATS?
Be aware of potential power steering and service brake issues, especially after 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Regularly check your tires and visibility systems. The 2015 CADILLAC ATS has 27 NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2015 CADILLAC ATS?
The 2015 CADILLAC ATS receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 27 owner complaints, 3 recalls, and 1 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Power Steering and Service Brakes.
What are the known issues with the 2015 CADILLAC ATS?
Known issues with the 2015 CADILLAC ATS include: Power Steering, Service Brakes, Tires, Visibility. These are based on patterns found across 27 NHTSA complaints. 3 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2015 Cadillac ATS?
Yes, there are recalls for visibility issues and service brakes.
What are the most common issues reported by owners?
Power steering, service brakes, tires, and visibility issues are the most common.
How can I avoid tire issues with my 2015 Cadillac ATS?
Regularly check your tire pressure and inspect them for wear or damage.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential power steering and service brake issues, especially after 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Regularly check your tires and visibility systems.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2015 Cadillac Ats
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2015 Cadillac Ats. The data includes 27 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 3 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2015 Cadillac Ats an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-13