Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Cadillac ATS, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 22 | 21% |
| Unknown or other | 13 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 10 | 10% |
| Engine | 6 | 6% |
| Steering | 5 | 5% |
| Power train | 3 | 3% |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 3% |
| Air bags | 2 | 2% |
| Tires | 2 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
In August 2026, at approximately 99,639 miles, my 2014 Cadillac ATS was taken to an authorized Cadillac dealership for service. During the inspection, the dealership discovered and diagnosed a leaking right rear axle sha
NHTSA complaint: Power train
My 2014 Cadillac ATS experienced a transmission shift cable/linkage failure. After driving normally, I pulled into my garage and moved the shifter to Park. The physical shifter was in Park, but the instrument cluster con
NHTSA complaint: Power train
service rear view camera message on randomly and then the camera goes blank. Independent service center diagnostic scan reported: FAULT B127B Rearview camera input signal circuit missing reference (Symptom 2B) - Histor
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Vehicle transmission shift cable failed. This part is considered recalled, but GM is refusing to fix.
NHTSA complaint: Power train
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2014 Cadillac ATS. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase of the vehicle. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the "Power Steering Fault Drive with Care" message was displayed on the instrument panel and the vehicle became difficult to ma
NHTSA complaint: Steering
My airbag system light has been on now for over two years. My exact vehicle the prior year and after has had a recalled and mine has been missed. GMC wants 2000.00 to replace my airbag situation and my car only has 6600
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I was driving the car and trying to put the car in park at the stop light. The car shifter moved, but the shifter wasn't going into any other gear. The shifter moves forward and back, but nothing happens. I almost got in
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2014 Cadillac ATS. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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
Risk: If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: 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
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
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.
Fix: 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-
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 af
Risk: A seat that does not stay secured increases the risk of occupant injury in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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 co
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 bra
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 dir
Fix: 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 ear
| Reliability raw | 65 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 69 | good |
| Depreciation | 72 | good |
| Performance | 68 | good |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
| Safety | 100 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 104 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 22 of them (21%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 65/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2014 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 69/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.