2016 Cadillac ATS: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2016 Cadillac ATS at 22–26 mpg combined across 6 versions. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 32 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
3
EPA combined mpg
22–26
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Cadillac dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2016 Cadillac ATS recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 3 safety recalls for the 2016 Cadillac ATS, newest first.
Air bags: Frontal: Driver side: Inflator module
NHTSA 26V329000Reported May 21, 2026
Filed by
General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. N262555870)
Units affected
5,014 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Risk
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.
General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. 15299)
Units affected
96,145 (estimate)
Problem
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.
General Motors, LLC (manufacturer recall no. 15568)
Units affected
63,665 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2016 Cadillac ATS fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2016 Cadillac ATS crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2016 Cadillac ATS NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2016 Cadillac ATS 2DR AWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Optional
2016 Cadillac ATS 2DR RWD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
—
Optional
2016 Cadillac ATS 4 DR AWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
10.1%
Optional
2016 Cadillac ATS 4 DR RWD
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
5 stars
10.1%
Optional
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2016 Cadillac ATS owner complaints
Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Cadillac ATS, most recently on Jun 17, 2026. 3 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 5 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2016 Cadillac ATS complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Power train
10
Electrical system
6
Air bags
5
Steering
4
Wheels
4
Engine
3
Service brakes
2
Unknown or other
2
Vehicle speed control
2
Visibility/wiper
2
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
