2015 Cadillac ATS

The 2015 Cadillac ATS is a compact luxury sedan that aimed to deliver a sporty driving experience. It was offered with three engine choices: a 2.5L inline-4 producing 202 horsepower and 190 lb-ft of torque, a 2.0L turbocharged inline-4 making 272 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and a 3.6L V6 generating 321 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque. Transmission options included a 6-speed manual (available only with the 2.0T) and a 6-speed automatic. Many owners appreciate the ATS for its sharp handling and stylish design. Common complaints revolve around the CUE infotainment system, rear seat space, and some reliability concerns.

Engine

2.0L Turbocharged Inline-4

• Turbocharger Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Loss of power, check engine light illumination, whistling or whining noise from the turbocharger, excessive oil consumption.
  • Solution: Replacement of the turbocharger.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $2,500+
  • Recalls: None Found
• High Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Extended cranking time, rough idling, hesitation upon acceleration, and potential stalling. Check engine light may illuminate.
  • Solution: Replacement of the HPFP.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $800 - $1200+
  • Recalls: None Found

3.6L V6

• Timing Chain Wear/Failure
  • Description/Symptoms: Rattling noise upon startup (especially when cold), check engine light, potential misfires, decreased performance. This is a common issue on earlier versions of the 3.6L V6 across various GM models.
  • Solution: Replacement of the timing chain, guides, and tensioners.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,500 - $3,000+
  • Recalls: None Found

Transmission

6-Speed Automatic Transmission

• Harsh Shifting/Hesitation
  • Description/Symptoms: Abrupt or jerky shifts between gears, particularly between 1st and 2nd gear. Hesitation or delay when accelerating from a stop.
  • Solution: Software update/reprogramming of the transmission control module (TCM). In some cases, valve body replacement may be required.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $300 (for reprogramming); $800 - $1,500+ (for valve body replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found

Suspension

• Magnetic Ride Control (If Equipped) Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Premature failure of the shocks, leaking fluid from the shocks, diminished ride quality, “Service Suspension System” message on the dashboard.
  • Solution: Replacement of the affected Magnetic Ride Control shocks.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000+ per shock
  • Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• CUE Infotainment System Problems
  • Description/Symptoms: Unresponsive touchscreen, freezing, lagging, ghost touch, inability to connect to Bluetooth, navigation issues.
  • Solution: Software updates are sometimes available. In severe cases, replacement of the CUE unit may be necessary.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $0 (for software update); $800 - $1,500+ (for replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found
• Battery Drain Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Vehicle battery draining overnight or within a short period of time, requiring frequent jump starts.
  • Solution: Diagnosis to identify parasitic drain (e.g., faulty module, aftermarket accessory). Repair or replacement of the problematic component.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $500+ (depending on the source of the drain)
  • Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Headlight Condensation
  • Description/Symptoms: Moisture buildup inside the headlight housings, reducing visibility and potentially damaging the headlight bulbs.
  • Solution: Some owners attempt to seal the headlight housings. Replacement of the headlight assembly may be necessary.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $800+ per headlight (depending on aftermarket or OEM)
  • Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Sunroof Issues
  • Description/Symptoms: Sunroof sticking or failing to open/close properly, excessive noise during operation, leaks.
  • Solution: Lubrication of the sunroof tracks and mechanism. In some cases, repair or replacement of the sunroof motor or assembly may be needed.
  • Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $200 (for lubrication); $300 - $1,000+ (for motor/assembly replacement)
  • Recalls: None Found

Summary

The 2015 Cadillac ATS has some known issues, with the CUE infotainment system and engine/transmission related problems being the most common and potentially costly to address. The 2.0T engine is susceptible to turbo and HPFP failures, and the 3.6L V6 can suffer from timing chain issues. Transmission problems, especially harsh shifting, are also reported. Suspension issues with the Magnetic Ride Control can be expensive to fix. While many of these issues aren’t universal, potential buyers should be aware of them and factor them into their purchasing decision.