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2015 Cadillac ATS

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2015 models.

Cadillac ATS
Pictured: Cadillac ATS 2.0 Turbo AWD Premium – Frontansicht, 16. Oktober 2015, Düsseldorf. Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Body styles
2dr Coupe 2.0l AWD, 2dr Coupe 2.0l RWD, 2dr Coupe 3.6l AWD, 2dr Coupe 3.6l RWD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 3.6L 6-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
25 combined · 21 city / 32 hwy
Length
183.1–184.3 in
Curb weight
3,314–3,693 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
4 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

No weak spots against similar models in the data.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 32 similar 2015 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2015 Cadillac ATS is a compact car offered with 3 engines (2.5L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 3.6L 6-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

It measures about 184 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,572 lb (2dr Coupe 2.0l AWD).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 25 MPG combined (21 city / 32 highway), 5% worse than the 2015 compact car average of 26.3 MPG, for an estimated $2,700 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the steering.

What changed for 2015

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2014 ATS — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2014; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2014 ATS →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
2dr Coupe 2.0l AWD184.3 in72.8 in53.5 in109.1 in61 / 61.8 in3,572 lb51/49
2dr Coupe 2.0l RWD184.3 in72.8 in53.5 in109.1 in61 / 61.8 in3,417 lb51/49
2dr Coupe 3.6l AWD184.3 in72.8 in53.5 in109.1 in61 / 61.8 in3,693 lb51/49
2dr Coupe 3.6l RWD184.3 in72.8 in53.5 in109.1 in61 / 61.8 in3,530 lb51/49
4dr Sedan Base RWD183.1 in70.9 in53.9 in109.4 in59.8 / 60.6 in3,314 lb50/50
4dr Sedan Turbo/3.6l V6 AWD183.1 in70.9 in53.9 in109.4 in59.8 / 60.6 in3,543 lb51/49

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
ATS2.5L 4-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive21 / 32 / 25-5%$2,700356
ATS2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive21 / 29 / 24-9%$2,800369
ATS2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive19 / 29 / 23-13%$2,900389
ATS AWD2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive20 / 27 / 23-13%$2,900386
ATS3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive18 / 27 / 22-16%$3,050412
ATS AWD3.6L 6-cylAutomatic (S6)All-Wheel Drive18 / 26 / 21-20%$3,200419
6/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
6/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $1,500Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
26.3 MPG2015 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2015 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2015 Cadillac ATS.

Similar 2015 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2015 Cadillac ATS (this car)25 MPGNot rated4
2015 BMW 3 Series36 MPGNot rated0
2015 BMW 5 Series30 MPGNot rated0
2015 Mercedes-Benz E-Class25 MPGNot rated0
2015 Lexus IS24 MPGNot rated3
2015 Audi A426 MPGNot rated4
2015 Mercedes-Benz C-Class28 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (4)

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · May 21, 2026

NHTSA campaign 26V329000 · 5,014 vehicles

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.
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.
Visibility › Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System · Sep 3, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V558000 · 96,145 vehicles

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.
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.
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly · Jul 24, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V463000 · 63,665 vehicles

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.
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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals And Linkages · Jun 9, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V358000 · 2,163 vehicles

Problem
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Cadillac ATS and CTS vehicles. The affected vehicles have a bracket between the brake pedal assembly and the rod that actuates the brakes that may fracture during normal brake pedal operation.
Risk
If the bracket fractures, the driver would not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected bracket, free of charge. The recall began July 6, 2015. Owners may contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006. GM's number for this recall is 15352.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2015 Cadillac ATS is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

30Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
60,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Steering6
Electrical System6
Power Train5
Exterior Lighting4
Unknown Or Other4
Air Bags3
Suspension2
Service Brakes2
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
19/01: 119/11: 120/01: 120/05: 120/06: 120/08: 121/03: 121/05: 122/01: 122/03: 122/12: 223/04: 123/06: 123/10: 124/03: 124/04: 124/06: 125/03: 125/07: 125/09: 126/02: 126/04: 126/07: 126/10: 119/0120/0521/0322/0323/0624/0425/0726/04max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2015 Cadillac ATS buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Steering — 6 owner reports. Turn lock-to-lock while parked and on the road; listen for noises and feel for heavy or loose steering.
  3. Electrical System — 6 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Power Train — 5 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 60,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2015 Cadillac ATS. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other ATS years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2019 ATS25184.3 inNot rated02
2018 ATS25184.3 in★★★★★222
2017 ATS26184.3 inNot rated233
2016 ATS26184.3 inNot rated332
2014 ATS26183.1 inNot rated496
2013 ATS26183.1 inNot rated6111

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Cadillac. How we calculate this →