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2016 Cadillac Ats Maintenance Schedule

Manufacturer-recommended service intervals and open recall alerts for your 2016 Cadillac Ats.

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Recalls3Full scheduleKnown issues7
⚠️

3 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

Campaign #15V463000 · Jul 24, 2015

Issue: 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.

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 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15568. Note this recall supersedes 15V-106.

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

Campaign #15V558000 · Mar 9, 2015

Issue: 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.

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 may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15299.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

Campaign #26V329000 · May 21, 2026

Issue: 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.

Fix: 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.

Recall data refreshed Jul 26, 2026.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

🛢️

Oil & Filter Change

Every 7,500 mi

Replace engine oil and oil filter. Modern synthetic oil lasts 7,500–10,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

🔄

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires to ensure even wear and extend tire life.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

🛑

Brake Inspection

Every 15,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and fluid. Replace pads if worn below minimum thickness.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

⏱️

Timing Belt / Chain

Every 60,000 mi

Replace timing belt (if applicable). Critical failure can cause major engine damage.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

💨

Engine Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter to maintain fuel efficiency and engine performance.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

🌡️

Coolant Flush

Every 30,000 mi

Flush and replace engine coolant to prevent overheating and corrosion.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

⚙️

Transmission Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace transmission fluid to keep shifts smooth and prevent wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

⚡

Spark Plugs

Every 30,000 mi

Replace spark plugs for optimal combustion, fuel economy, and performance.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

🔗

Serpentine Belt

Every 50,000 mi

Inspect and replace the serpentine belt to avoid unexpected breakdowns.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

🌬️

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter for clean air inside the vehicle.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

🔋

Battery Test & Service

Every 25,000 mi

Test battery health and clean terminals. Average battery life is 3–5 years.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$225–$390

Shop

~$160–$280

DIY

~$130–$250

Most auto-parts stores test and install batteries free with purchase. Skip the dealer markup.

🔧

Power Steering Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Check and replace power steering fluid to maintain steering responsiveness.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$185–$220

Shop

~$130–$155

DIY

~$15–$40

Most cars built after ~2012 use electric power steering and have no fluid to service.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Cadillac Ats.

Reported to NHTSA

CUE infotainment touchscreen failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2018-10 → 2022-08

“THE RADIO SCREEN IS CRACKING FROM THE INSIDE OF THE SCREEN I'M GETTING A SPIDERWEB EFFECT THAT IS NOT ALLOWING ME TO SEE THE SCREEN. CAN'T SEE THE SPEED OF MY AC FAN BECASUE I CAN'T SEE THE SCREEN, CAN'T CHANGE TO BLUETOOTH BECAUSE I CAN'T SEE THE SCREEN…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11348530
“THE TOUCH SCREEN DOES NOT WORK. IT MOVES BY ITSELF AND EVEN WHEN WE SELECT AN OPTION IT DOES NOT RECOGNIZE IT. IT IS A SCARY AS WE CANNOT RECEIVE PHONE CALLS AND IT IS A CONSTANT DISTRACTION WHERE THE WHOLE MENU IS NOT WORKING…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11132982

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cracked alloy wheels

WHEELS

2 NHTSA complaints · 2019-11 → 2020-02

“WE BOUGHT A USED 2016 ATS WITH 14,000 MILES. WITHIN 2 YEARS, WE HAVE HAD 4 CRACKED CADILLAC WHEELS. WE ALSO HAVE RUN FLAT TIRES, FACTORY INSTALLED. DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, POT HOLES AND SEAMS IN ASPHALT SEEM TO BE WHAT CAUSED OF CRACKED RIMS…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11310130
“ALL 4 RIMS ARE CRACKING AND CAUSING AIR TO LEAK FROM THE TIRES. CANNON CADILLAC IN LAKELAND FL., HAS STATED THESE RIMS ARE A FACTORY DEFECT, BUT HAVE DENIED THE CLAIM TO REPLACE ALL THE RIMS WITH AN ACTIVE 2 YEAR WARRANTY STILL IN EFFECT…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11281720

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear defogger overheating and back glass shattering

VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 NHTSA complaints · 2023-03 → 2026-06

“My back glass on my 2016 Cadillac ATS shattered on 3-10-2023. It looks like it got hot from the defroster lines as it shattered every inch of the back glass and separated from the seals. I contacted Cadillac and they started Case #9-9552142107…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11511593
“NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V558000 Rear Defogger Coil Antenna Module may Overheat If the coil antenna generates excessive heat, not sure what is happening but car does seem to overheat off and on especially when radio is turned on”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11744660

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear differential failure

POWER TRAIN

2 NHTSA complaints · 2025-05 → 2025-11

“On 3rd differential in 2 years. Dealer won’t fix without us paying ANOTHER $4,700. There is NO way a differential goes 3 times in 2 years. Something is wrong. Help!!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11735357
“My 2016 Cadillac ATS Coupe has a serious repeating safety defect. The vehicle violently shakes, vibrates, and becomes unstable while driving. This happened TWICE. Both times the rear bolts came out except one. Both mechanics who inspected it said they have NEVER seen this before…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11701363

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission shudder and rough shifting

POWER TRAIN

9 NHTSA complaints · 2018-10 → 2025-01

“AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 25 AND 35 MPH THE TRANSMISSION SHUDDERS TO SUCH AN EXTENT THAT THE ENTIRE CAR IS VIBRATING. ENGINE RPM IS BETWEEN 1000 AND 1500. RESPONSE IS UNPREDICTABLE. THE CAR MAY SPEED UP OR ATTEMPT TO STALL. VERY DANGEROUS ENTERING HIGH SPEED TRAFFIC SITUATIONS…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11310482
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SLOWLY OR IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS VERY ROUGH BETWEEN THE LOWER GEARS ON UPSHIFTS AND DOWNSHIFTS AND WILL HOLD A GEAR HANGING WHILE TRYING TO BRAKE OR ACCELERATE AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RAPIDLY LUNGE FORWARD…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11142383

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag warning light illumination

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2017-07 → 2026-06

“The contact owns a 2016 Cadillac ATS. The contact stated that the message "Service Air Bag" was displayed, and the passenger's side seat belt warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11638325
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CADILLAC ATS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT PLACED A MOBILE PHONE ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11004850

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering loss

STEERING

2 NHTSA complaints · 2020-11 → 2023-11

“THE VEHICLE HAS AN ISSUE WITH LOSS OF POWER STEERING. IT HAS HAPPENED AND RETURNED BUT IT GONE OUT TOTALLY NOW AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE PART OF THE CADILLAC POWER STEERING RECALL, BUT MY VIN IS NOT LISTED AS VEHICLE THAT IS AFFECTED.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11372540
“Reporting a case for GM recall N182161890. I bought my vehicle in 2022. I was informed that my car had all the recalls completed on that vehicle. My vehicle had exactly what this recall was for happen to it on 10/20/23…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11553393

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

  • 2013 Cadillac Ats →
  • 2014 Cadillac Ats →
  • 2015 Cadillac Ats →
  • 2017 Cadillac Ats →
  • 2018 Cadillac Ats →
  • 2019 Cadillac Ats →

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Jul 27, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Jul 27, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Cadillac Ats reflects general industry intervals for modern vehicles. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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