RECALLS — MAKE · MODEL · YEAR
2013 Cadillac ATS recalls
16 safety recall campaigns have been filed for the 2013 Cadillac ATS with Transport Canada and the U.S. NHTSA. Here is what both agencies say.
- Canadian recalls
- 10
- U.S. recalls
- 06
- Total campaigns
- 16
Transport Canada recalls
10- Steering#2020291
3,715 units affected
Issue: On certain vehicles, the bolts that attach the electric power steering assist motor to the steering gear may corrode and break. This could cause a loss of power steering assist. Safety Risk: A loss of power steering assist may result in a sudden increase in steering effort, especially at low vehicle speeds. This could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: General Motors will notify owners by mail and instruct you to take your vehicle to a dealer to replace the bolts that attach the electric power steering motor and apply a protective wax coating. If the bolts cannot be removed due to corrosion, the steering gear will be replaced.
- Steering#2018463
1,851 units affected
On certain vehicles originally sold or currently registered in areas of heavy road salt usage during winter months (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland & Labrador), the bolts that attach the electric power steering assist motor to the steering gear housing may corrode and break. This could cause a loss of power steering assist. The resulting increase in steering effort could create the risk of a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will replace the mounting bolts and apply a corrosion protection coating to the gear housing and bolts. If the bolts bolt cannot be removed, a replacement steering gear will be installed.
- Electrical#2015390
10,381 units affected
On certain 4-door sedans, the coil antenna module located in the driver side rear pillar, which powers the rear defogger system, could generate significant temperatures if the module is subjected to excessive cycling or continuous operation. This could result in a fire developing inside the rear pillar on the driver’s side of the vehicle, which could cause injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will update the Electronic Climate Control (ECC) module software to remove the automatic rear defogger “on” function that occurs as a result of manual or remote start of the vehicle. 2013 models also have a “continuous on” feature (enabled at highway speeds in low temperatures) that will also be disabled. Note: The base functionality of the rear defogger will not be lost.
- Electrical#2015322
7,922 units affected
Certain vehicles equipped with power-operated sunroof system may fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 118 - Power-Operated Window, Partition and Roof Panel Systems. The roof panels could close automatically when the non-recessed portion of the “Slide” or “Tilt” switches are pressed and the roof panel is open, which is contrary to the standard. The switch could be more susceptible to an inadvertent actuation, which could result in unintended auto-closure of the roof panel, increasing the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the roof console accessory switch trim plate. Note: This recall supersedes recall 2015-075. Vehicles having been serviced as part of the previous recall will require re-inspection and repair.
- Electrical#2015075
6,431 units affected
Certain vehicles equipped with power-operated sunroof system may fail to conform to Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (CMVSS) 118 - Power-Operated Window, Partition and Roof Panel Systems. The roof panels could close automatically when the non-recessed portion of the “Slide” or “Tilt” switches are pressed and the roof panel is open, which is contrary to the standard. The switch could be more susceptible to an inadvertent actuation, which could result in unintended auto-closure of the roof panel, increasing the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the roof console accessory switch trim plate.
- Seats And Restraints#2014343
6,387 units affected
On certain vehicles, the front outboard driver and passenger seatbelt pretensioners may not function as designed in the event of a crash. The pretensioners could retract upon deployment but fail to lock in the retracted position, allowing the seat belt to return to the original position. This could increase the risk of injury in a crash that warrants seatbelt pretensioner deployment. Correction: Dealers will replace affected pretensioners.
- Seats And Restraints#2014315
11,430 units affected
On certain vehicles, the hook bracket assembly for either front seat may have been manufactured with an incomplete weld. If the weld is incomplete and the assembly is exposed to a high load condition, the hook may separate from the seat track. This could increase the risk of occupant injury during a crash. Correction: Dealers will inspect the weld, and if necessary, replace the lower seat track.
- Powertrain#2014239
6,135 units affected
On certain vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions, the shift cable may not be fully seated on the shifter and/or transmission bracket. If the cable were to detach, the driver may not be able to select a different gear position, or place the transmission in the PARK position. If the driver cannot place the vehicle in the PARK position and exits the vehicle without applying the parking brake, the vehicle could roll away, which could result in a crash causing injury and/or damage to property. Correction: Dealers will inspect and ensure the cable is fully seated at the transmission and at the shifter bracket.
- Lights And Instruments#2013356
1,140 units affected
On certain vehicles, the brake lamps could flash intermittently without the brake pedal being depressed. This would convey a confusing message to following road users who, in turn, may not react in a timely manner when the driver does apply the brakes. As such, this could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module. Note: This recall supersedes 2013-176.
- Lights And Instruments#2013176
118 units affected
On certain vehicles, the brake lamps could flash intermittently without the brake pedal being depressed. This would convey a confusing message to following road users who, in turn, may not react in a timely manner when the driver does apply the brakes. As such, this could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury. Correction: Dealers will reprogram the Body Control Module.
Canadian data updated August 24, 2026
U.S. NHTSA recalls
06- VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM#15V558000
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: 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.
- VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY#15V463000
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: 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.
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT#14V488000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured August 23, 2012, to March 1, 2013, and model year 2013 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to May 1, 2013. In the affected vehicles, the driver and passenger lap belt pretensioner cables may not lock in a retracted position, allowing the seat belts to extend when pulled upon.
Risk: If the seat belts do not remain locked in the retracted position when under load, the seat occupant may not be adequately restrained in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace both front the driver's and the passenger's lap belt pretensioners, free of charge. Parts are not currently available. GM sent interim notifications on October 7, 2014 and will send a second notification when remedy parts are available. The recall began on November 20, 2014. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, or Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14171.
- SEATS#14V446000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Buick Encore and Cadillac ATS; 2014 Cadillac CTS, ELR, Chevrolet Caprice and SS vehicles; and 2014-2015 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra Trucks. Due to an incomplete weld on the seat hook bracket assembly, the front seats in the affected vehicles may not stay secured in place during a high load condition such as a crash.
Risk: A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat hook bracket assembly weld and replace the lower seat track, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 15, 2014. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-521-7300 (Buick), 1-800-458-8006 (Cadillac), 1-800-222-1020 (Chevrolet), and 1-800-462-8782 (GMC). GM's number for this recall is 14340.
- POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION#14V338000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Cadillac ATS vehicles manufactured April 23, 2012, to March 20, 2014, and 2014 Cadillac CTS vehicles manufactured June 10, 2013, to March 20, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the transmission shift cable may detach from either the bracket on the transmission shifter or the bracket on the transmission.
Risk: If the transmission shift cable detaches while the vehicle is being driven, the transmission gear selection may not match the indicated gear and the vehicle may move in an unintended or unexpected direction, increasing the risk of a crash. Furthermore, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, despite selecting the 'PARK' position, the transmission may not be in 'PARK.' If the vehicle is not in the 'PARK' position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles to make sure the cable is properly seated at the transmission and shifter brackets, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in early August 2014. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 14179.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM#13V220000
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala; and 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles. Originally, in May 2013, GM recalled 1,627 model year 2013 Cadillac ATS and model year 2013 Cadillac XTS; and model year 2014 Chevrolet Impala vehicles. In October 2013, GM informed the agency that it was adding model year 2013 Chevrolet Sonic vehicles to this campaign , representing an additional 8,050 units. The total number of vehicles being recalled is now 9,677. On the affected vehicles, the brake lamps may intermittently flash without the brakes being applied and the cruise control may disengage. Thus, these vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 108, "Lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment."
Risk: If the brake lamps flash when the vehicle is not slowing, a following driver may not adjust vehicle speed when the vehicle is in fact braking, and the brake lamps are illuminating as intended, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module. The recall began on June 13, 2013. Owner's may contact Chevrolet at 1-800-630-2438 or Cadillac at 1-866-982-2339. GM's recall number is 13158.
Does this recall apply to my vehicle?
Matched by make, model, and model year. Many recalls affect only specific VIN ranges — confirm with your dealer using your full VIN.
What to do
Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer in both countries. To confirm a recall applies to your specific vehicle, or to book the work, contact your manufacturer or dealer with your full VIN, or use the official channel:
- NHTSA recall lookup (search by VIN) — U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
- Defects and recalls database — Transport Canada
Check a 2013 Cadillac ATS VIN
A VIN decode confirms your vehicle's exact model year, trim and assembly plant, then runs this same recall check against it.