2014 Cadillac ATS transmission & drivetrain problems

Related recalls

• Recall 14V338000Jun 19, 201490,750 vehicles
  POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

  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.

What owners say

1. Filed Aug 24, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 shaft seal. I was not aware of the leak beforehand and did not receive a warning light or message indicating the condition. The dealership’s written repair order states that the right rear axle shaft seal was leaking and that the right rear axle seal was…

   NHTSA complaint #11759033 · source
2. Filed Aug 17, 2026TXTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 continued to indicate Drive (D). The vehicle would not recognize Park, the shifter became stuck, and the vehicle would not restart because the transmission was still being detected as being in Drive. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Cadillac dealership for…

   NHTSA complaint #11757509 · source
3. Filed May 22, 2024AZTransmission & Drivetrain

   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 an accident and my dad had to help me park the car. I saw this is a past recall issue and I called Cadillac and they stated I needed to tow my vehicle there and there are no open recalls, so it will be out of pocket. They can't even see my car until the 31st…

   NHTSA complaint #11590091 · source
4. Filed May 13, 2024TNTransmission & Drivetrain

   After routine maintenance (oil change) at Cadillac of Knoxville on 5/7/2024, I was notified that my rear differential was leaking. After I arrived back home, upon further research, I found that this was a common problem for this make and model of car and that there was a recall for Cadillac ATS' manufactured between 2013-2016. After calling GM's customer service line, the representative expressed that my VIN did not register under the specific recall and therefore would not…

   NHTSA complaint #11588572 · source
5. Filed Mar 5, 2024CAEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   My engine RPM would randomly lock to 4000 rpms while driving, i could rev the car or apply the brakes but it will sit their until it decides to respond. This has happened a few times and mostly down hill and flats. Difficult to replicate. Cooling system has been a plague at around 80k miles i've had to replace a clamp at the back near the water outlet flange which i was quoted $2000 for just the labor alone as the engine would need to be removed.And the water pump failed at…

   NHTSA complaint #11575648 · source
6. Filed Feb 7, 2024CAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionSteeringTransmission & Drivetrain

   What are the cooling hoses that carry coolant from the engine to the radiator busted not once but twice. It has many electrical problems even when cleared with an OBD2 sensor they will still come on. The power steering is completely off and malfunctions.

   NHTSA complaint #11570484 · source
7. Filed May 27, 2023WASuspensionTransmission & DrivetrainWheels & Tires

   My ball joints on both sides were completely gone, my struts have given out repaired all at the same time, because of those things going out it completely ruined my tires to where they squeak down the road. Both differentials are leaking and my transmission shutters, I also had to replace my water pump that was leaking cooling everywhere

   NHTSA complaint #11524138 · source
8. Filed May 23, 202255,000 miILTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that the vehicle hesitated while attempting to accelerate. There was a howling sound coming from the driver’s side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the rear differential failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle not been repaired due to the part being on backorder. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the…

   NHTSA complaint #11465686 · source
9. Filed Apr 11, 2022105,396 miALTransmission & Drivetrain

   The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH on the highway the transmission was shifting irregularly and the vehicle started to decelerate. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact was able to pull off to the side of the roadway and waited 10-15 minutes before restarting the vehicle. The contact was able to drive safely to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not…

   NHTSA complaint #11460393 · source
10. Filed Sep 10, 2021122,000 miTXTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

    The contact owns a 2014 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the gear shifter was engaged but the vehicle failed to respond. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission shift cable had detached, and the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V338000 (Power Train). The dealer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that her VIN was not included…

    NHTSA complaint #11432511 · source
11. Filed Mar 5, 202149,500 miCATransmission & Drivetrain

    Tl* the contact owns a 2014 cadillac ats. The contact stated that occasionally the vehicle failed to shift into other gears. The vehicle would be restarted and shifted into gear. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to local dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 14v338000 (power train) however, the vin was not included. The manufacturer was informed of…

    NHTSA complaint #11399290 · source
12. Filed Jan 4, 202124,000 miFLTowedTransmission & Drivetrain

    Tl* the contact owns a 2014 cadillac ats. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle independently shifted from automatic to auto-manual mode without warning. The vehicle was towed to murphy cadillac, inc. (174 e hibiscus blvd, melbourne, fl 32901) and was diagnosed with a defective gear shifter. The contact was informed that there was a warranty placed on the vehicle however, the warranty had expired august 2020. The manufacturer was notified of…

    NHTSA complaint #11386513 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology