Head-to-head reliability
Cadillac ATS vs Chevrolet Silverado
How the Cadillac ATS and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Cadillac ATS vs Chevrolet Silverado: The ATS averages 54.7 complaints per year over 7 years, while the Silverado averages 822.7 over 10 years. The ATS has 21 recalls and 25 injuries; the Silverado has 101 recalls and 160 injuries. Both show safety-related issues, but the Silverado's volume is far higher. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Cadillac ATS or Chevrolet Silverado more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Cadillac ATS
The Cadillac ATS is a compact luxury car with a relatively low complaint volume—about 55 per year over seven years—but the pattern shows recurring issues with the transmission, power steering, and electrical systems. Owners frequently report shuddering, hesitation, and lurching from the transmission, as well as intermittent loss of power steering that can require replacing the wire harness and steering gear. Electrical gremlins, such as airbag lights and sensor failures, also appear. While the ATS has fewer overall complaints than the Silverado, the problems it does have can be expensive and safety-related.
Chevrolet Silverado
The Chevrolet Silverado is a full-size pickup with a much higher complaint rate—roughly 823 per year over ten years—and a broad range of issues spanning the engine, transmission, brakes, and electrical system. Owners describe severe problems like engine shutdowns while driving, sudden loss of braking, and transmission failures even on nearly new trucks. Recalls are frequent, covering fuel pumps, tires, and forward collision warnings. The sheer volume and severity of complaints suggest that living with a Silverado may require more frequent repairs and attention.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Cadillac ATS | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 383 Better | 8,227 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 21 Better | 101 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 21 Better | 233 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 54.7 Better | 822.7 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 25 Better | 160 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 3 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Cadillac ATS
- 01POWER TRAIN102
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM77
- 03ENGINE72
- 04STEERING61
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER54
Owners report the transmission shudders at high speeds and hesitates or lurches at low speeds, sometimes causing the car to surge forward when braking. This can make the car feel unpredictable and may lead to costly repairs.
Complaints include airbag warning lights that stay on for long periods and power steering failures that require replacing the wire harness and steering gear. These issues can affect safety and are often expensive to fix.
Some owners experience jerking and failure to accelerate at highway speeds, along with service warnings. This can leave a driver struggling to maintain speed or maneuver in traffic.
Intermittent loss of power steering assist is reported, making the car harder to steer, especially at low speeds. Repairs often involve replacing the steering gear and related wiring.
“1. The transmission shudders at high speeds and at low speeds it either hesitates to shift gears or it lurches forward causing a rough shifting of gears. 2. I feel as though when I am braking and my car lurches forward, sometimes I have to brake even harder j…”
“My rear differential completely stopped on the freeway, not moving and saying over 100 mph and my car was barely rolling I am extremely lucky that I did not get rear ended because I was very close to that happening, a few cars had swerved to not crash. Luckil…”
Chevrolet Silverado
- 01ENGINE2,521
- 02POWER TRAIN2,347
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,513
- 04SERVICE BRAKES1,222
- 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER858
Owners of newer Silverados report engine shutdowns while driving, sometimes with messages like 'Return to Neutral' or 'Press Start.' Diesel models have experienced repeated diesel particulate filter soot accumulation events requiring dealer service.
Complaints include sudden shifting into neutral and loss of power, even at low speeds in parking lots. This can leave the truck unable to move and may be dangerous in traffic.
Reports describe a sudden, severe loss of normal braking with a firm brake pedal but reduced stopping power, as well as engine shut-offs and blank screens. These electrical glitches can compromise critical safety functions.
Owners report braking problems where the pedal feels firm but the truck does not stop normally, sometimes accompanied by the engine shutting off. This is a serious safety concern that requires immediate attention.
“I purchased the 2026 Chevrolet Silverado with a 6.2L motor "new" from the dealer with 5700 miles on XXX. Roughly a month and 2500 miles later, my family and I were in the vehicle, 750 miles from home, returning from a vacation to [XXX] from the [XXX]/[XXX] ar…”
“My 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with the 6.6L Duramax diesel has experienced three separate P2463 Diesel Particulate Filter excessive soot accumulation events at approximately 4,300, 5,500, and 10,280 miles. Each event required a Chevrolet dealer to perform…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Cadillac ATS — 21 recalls
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, and 2017 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist system may fail.
The risk: Loss of power steering assist would require a higher steering effort, especially at lower speeds, which may increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. The recall began June 13, 2019. GM' number for this recall is N182182760.
The defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Cadillac CTS, 2017-2018 Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Camaro, and Chevrolet Corvette vehicles. The electric power steering (EPS) assist may fail.
The risk: A loss of power steering assist can require greater steering effort, especially at low speeds, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 15, 2025. Owners may contact Cadilac customer service at 1-800-333-4223 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM…
The defect: 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…
The 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.
The 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 i…
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the bracket fractures, the driver would not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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 153…
Chevrolet Silverado — 101 recalls
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles may not have received an owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, “Child Re…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will provide the owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252532020. Vehicle Identifi…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.
The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782…
The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Cou…
The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…
The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with the enhanced towing option and 20-inch accessory tire/wheel package. The tire information label may state the incorrect rear tire pressure, resulting in underinflated tires an…
The risk: Driving with underinflated tires can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect, update the engine control module (ECM) software, apply a tire label overlay, inflate tires to the correct pressure, and perform a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) re-learn process as necessary, free of charge. Owne…
Buyer analysis
Cadillac ATS or Chevrolet Silverado: which should you buy?
The Cadillac ATS has far fewer complaints per year (about 55) compared to the Chevrolet Silverado (about 823), but both have notable safety-related issues. In practice, the ATS may be less likely to leave you stranded, but its transmission and steering problems can still be costly. The Silverado's higher complaint volume and severe issues like engine shutdowns and brake loss mean it could demand more frequent repairs and pose greater risks.
Key differences
- The Silverado has over 8,000 complaints in 10 years, while the ATS has under 400 in 7 years, indicating a much higher reported problem rate for the truck.
- Silverado owners report severe safety issues like engine shutdowns while driving and sudden loss of braking, whereas ATS complaints more often involve transmission shuddering and power steering loss.
- The ATS has 21 recalls, while the Silverado has 101, covering systems like fuel pumps and forward collision warnings.
- Both vehicles have crash-related complaints, but the Silverado has 233 versus 21 for the ATS, reflecting the higher volume and potentially greater severity of issues.
- Check for transmission shuddering or hesitation during a test drive, especially at highway speeds and when accelerating from a stop.
- Inspect the power steering for any intermittent loss of assist and ask for records of any wire harness or steering gear replacements.
- Test the brakes thoroughly for any firmness or reduced stopping power, and ask if the engine has ever shut off while driving.
- Look for signs of repeated diesel particulate filter issues if considering a diesel model, such as frequent dealer visits for soot accumulation.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on the transmission, steering, and electrical systems for the ATS, and engine, brakes, and electrical for the Silverado.
- During a test drive, specifically test for the symptoms described in complaints: transmission shudder or lurch for the ATS; engine shutdown or brake loss for the Silverado.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any repairs related to the commonly reported issues.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed and ask for documentation.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Cadillac ATS | Chevrolet Silverado |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 2003 |
| 2018 | 21 | 597 |
| 2017 | 32 | 1154 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Cadillac ATS or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Cadillac ATS vs Chevrolet Silverado
- Cadillac ATS total complaints
- 383
- Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
- 8,227
- Cadillac ATS total recalls
- 21
- Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
- 101
- Cadillac ATS avg complaints/year
- 54.7
- Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
- 822.7
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac ATS
- Cadillac ATS top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
- ENGINE