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Cadillac ATS VIN Check

NHTSA holds 365 owner complaints on the Cadillac ATS from 275 production runs; the worst run has 7, the typical one 1.3.

NHTSA complaint records · 365 complaints · 275 runs · 2013–2019 · Updated Nov 3, 2026
Quick answer

The most-reported ATS run is 1G6AA5RAXD0 (2013 builds) with 7 complaints, 5.4× the typical run. Power train problems make up 24% of reports; 2013 is the worst model year at 1.5 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for ATS model years 2013–2018.

Which build runs owners report most

A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Cadillac ATS has 275 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 7% of every ATS complaint on file.

FIG.01·Cadillac ATS — complaints by production run
Production run (VIN 1–11)YearComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
1G6AA5RAXD0••••••20137——
1G6AA5RA8D0••••••20135——
1G6AA5RA9D0••••••20135——
1G6AA5RXXD0••••••20135——
1G6AG5RX4E0••••••2014421
1G6AA5RX1D0••••••20134——
1G6AA5RA6D0••••••20133——
1G6AG5RX4D0••••••201332—
1G6AC5SXXD0••••••201331—
1G6AB5RX4D0••••••20133——
1G6AA5RA0D0••••••20133——
1G6AA5RA2D0••••••20133——
ROWS 12·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records, grouped by VIN prefix

Each of the other 263 ATS runs has 3 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 61 ATS VINs so far, most often 2015, 2014, 2013 builds.

Which model years to check twice

Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Cadillac ATS the gap between build years is 1.5×: a 2013 car draws 1.5 complaints per run, a 2018 one 1.

FIG.02·Cadillac ATS — complaint rate by model year
YearPer runComplaintsRunsCrashes
2018120201
20171.132281
20161.135333
20151.129271
20141.496674
20131.5151988
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Heaviest year here is 2013 at 1.5 complaints per run; lightest is 2018 at 1.

What to inspect on this car

One system accounts for 24% of everything Cadillac ATS owners report: Power Train, 99 of 365 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.

FIG.03·Cadillac ATS — most-reported systems
SystemComplaintsInvolved a crashFire
Power Train993—
Electrical System72—1
Engine6512
Steering592—
Unknown Or Other525—
Air Bags277—
Service Brakes253—
Vehicle Speed Control152—
ROWS 8·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

Recalls to check against your VIN

NHTSA has 11 recall campaigns on the Cadillac ATS; the 6 below cover build years 2013 to 2018. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.

FIG.04·Cadillac ATS — recall campaigns
CampaignComponentModel years
15V463000Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly2013–2016
15V558000Visibility:defroster/defogger/hvac System2013–2016
25V175000Steering:electric Power Assist System2017–2018
26V329000Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module2015–2016
14V446000Seats2013–2014
14V338000Power Train:automatic Transmission2013–2014
ROWS 6·SOURCE NHTSA recall campaigns

15V463000 was opened in 2015 on cars built from 2013: 2 years on the road before the recall.

The ATS against its rivals

The ATS draws 1.3 complaints per production run; the Chevrolet Volt 5 and the Infiniti QX30 1.6. That is the lowest rate of the 3.

FIG.05·Cadillac ATS VIN check vs rivals
ModelComplaintsRunsPer runInvolved a crash
Cadillac ATS3652751.34.9%
Chevrolet Volt1,81936152%
Infiniti QX3060371.68.3%
ROWS 3·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

How serious were they

Of the 365 reports on the Cadillac ATS, 4.9% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.

FIG.06·Cadillac ATS — complaint severity
OutcomeCadillac ATSAll vehicles
Complaints filed3651,115,966
Involved a crash18 (4.9%)64,194 (5.8%)
Involved a fire3 (0.8%)26,974 (2.4%)
Injuries reported2058,013
Deaths reported02,728
ROWS 5·SOURCE NHTSA complaint records

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How this check works

The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Cadillac ATS share of that is 365 complaints over 275 runs, 0.03% of everything on record.

Everything on the Cadillac ATS
Recalls29 campaignsFuel economy26 mpg bestReliability4.5/5Common problems386 complaintsDimensionsSize, weight, generationsCargo space14 cu ftUsed prices617 listingsWhat yours is worthValue by year & mileageInsurance costEstimated per yearWindow stickerOriginal Monroney labelDecode a VINWhat each character meansAbout this car2013–2019

Frequently asked questions

How do I check a Cadillac ATS VIN for free?

Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 365 NHTSA complaints from 275 ATS runs and 11 recall campaigns. No account, no card.

Which ATS production run has the most complaints?

1G6AA5RAXD0, a 2013 build, with 7 complaints. The typical ATS run has 1.3.

Which ATS years have the most complaints?

Per production run, 2013 is heaviest at 1.5 complaints per run and 2018 lightest at 1.

Does the ATS get more complaints than the Chevrolet Volt?

No: 1.3 complaints per production run for the ATS against 5 for the Chevrolet Volt.

How many ATS complaints involve a crash?

4.9% of 365 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 3 involved a fire.

Complaint and recall records from NHTSA, grouped by VIN production run (characters 1–11). Per-run rates computed by ForCar. Federal data covers safety only — title, odometer and insurance history are not included. Last updated Nov 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by , founder of ForCar.
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