2016 Cadillac ATS
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 10 of 32 complaints (31%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 29 in 2015 to 32 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,400–2,950 | 2,500–2,950 | 2,400–3,350 | 2,400–3,350 | 2,600–3,350 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–26 | 21–25 | 22–26 | 22–26 | 22–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–22 / 26–32 | 18–21 / 26–32 | 19–22 / 27–32 | 19–22 / 27–32 | 19–22 / 27–31 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 344–428 | 356–419 | 348–399 | 347–399 | 348–398 | |
| Complaints filed | 104 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 21 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 6 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 10 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Cadillac ATS have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Cadillac ATS?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 10 of 32 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Cadillac ATS get?
EPA rates it 22–26 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Cadillac ATS?
EPA estimates $2,400–$3,350 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 22 mpg (high) | 30 mpg | 25 mpg | $3,100 | 358 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 22 mpg (high) | 31 mpg | 25 mpg | $3,100 | 349 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $3,350 (high) | 388 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.6L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 378 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 22 mpg (high) | 32 mpg (high) | 26 mpg (high) | $2,400 (low) | 348 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 | 399 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE · Campaign 26V329000 · May 21, 2026
Defect: 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.
Consequence: An inflator rupture may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
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.
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM · Campaign 15V558000 · Sep 3, 2015
Defect: 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.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY · Campaign 15V463000 · Jul 24, 2015
Defect: 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.