A Cadillac ATS VIN opens with 1G6 (the United States). Position 11, the plant, reads 0; a 2019 ATS carries K in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 11 recall campaigns and 362 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Cadillac ATS VIN
Here is a real 2019 Cadillac ATS VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN 1G6AL1RY2K0104070 — decoded free on its own report page.
| Position | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | WMI | World Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN. |
| 10 | Model year | One character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z. |
| 11 | Plant | The assembly plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial | Sequential production number of this exact vehicle. |
Where Cadillac ATS VINs say the car was built
The first three characters are the World Manufacturer Identifier. Across 61 Cadillac ATS VINs we have on file, these are the codes that actually show up — and the plants behind them:
| WMI | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on file | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1G6 | United States | — | 61 |
Country and vehicle type come from the NHTSA manufacturer registry. Share is measured across VINs decoded on ForCar, not production volume.
Model-year codes for the Cadillac ATS
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Cadillac ATS has not yet outlived: its 7 years still map one-to-one. All 7 model years of the Cadillac ATS, 2013 to 2019, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | K | — |
| 2018 | J | — |
| 2017 | H | — |
| 2016 | G | — |
| 2015 | F | — |
| 2014 | E | — |
| 2013 | D | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Cadillac ATS VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 61 VINs the Cadillac ATS uses 12 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | A (100%) | 1 distinct |
| 5 — series | A (23%) · B (18%) · H (13%) · 9 (10%) · G (10%) · N (8%) | 6 distinct |
| 8 — engine | X (59%) · A (20%) · Y (13%) · 3 (5%) · S (3%) | 5 distinct |
What a decoded Cadillac ATS VIN gets you
Behind a Cadillac ATS VIN: 362 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 11 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 362 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 24 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Crash-test ratings | 6 rated model years | NHTSA |
| Model years covered | 7 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Cadillac ATS
A Cadillac ATS VIN normally opens with 1G6; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.
| Where | How to see it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard, driver side | Through the windshield, bottom corner | Easiest to check before you touch anything |
| Driver door jamb | Open the door, sticker on the pillar | Also lists tire pressures and build date |
| Under the hood | Firewall or strut tower plate | Survives a windshield replacement |
| Title and insurance | Paper documents | Must match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Cadillac ATS VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 11 recall campaigns and 362 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Cadillac ATS.
What year is my ATS by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2019 ATS carries K, a 2018 ATS carries J, a 2017 ATS carries H.
Where was my ATS built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 362 dated Cadillac ATS VINs it reads 0 99%.
What does position 4 mean on a Cadillac ATS VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 61 Cadillac ATS VINs here, A is the most common character in position 4, on 100% of them.
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