Head-to-head reliability
Cadillac ATS vs FORD F 150
How the Cadillac ATS and FORD F 150 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 FORD F 150: The ATS averages 54.7 complaints per year with 21 recalls, while the F-150 averages 1,162.1 complaints per year with 151 recalls. Both have powertrain and electrical issues, but the F-150's are more frequent. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Cadillac ATS or FORD F 150 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 sedan that averages about 55 complaints per year over seven years, with 21 recalls. Owners most often report transmission shuddering or lurching, power steering loss, and electrical glitches like airbag lights. These issues can make daily driving feel unpredictable and may lead to costly repairs, especially after the warranty ends.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150 is a full-size pickup that averages over 1,160 complaints per year across ten years, with 151 recalls. Common owner reports include transmission limp mode, lead frame failures, and electrical problems such as rear window defroster shorts. While the high volume reflects its popularity, the frequency of powertrain and electrical complaints suggests a higher likelihood of recurring issues.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Cadillac ATS | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 383 Better | 11,621 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 21 Better | 151 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 21 Better | 330 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 54.7 Better | 1162.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 25 Better | 297 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
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 transmission shuddering at high speeds and hesitation or lurching at low speeds, which can make braking feel unsafe. Some also experience rear differential failure, leaving the car barely rolling on the freeway.
Complaints include airbag warning lights staying on for long periods and power steering failure due to faulty wire harness or steering gear. These issues can affect safety and are often expensive to fix.
Owners describe jerking and failure to accelerate at highway speeds, sometimes with a service message. This can make merging or passing dangerous.
Intermittent loss of power steering functionality is reported, requiring replacement of the wire harness assembly and steering gear. This can make steering suddenly heavy and hard to control.
“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…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,648
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,100
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,431
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,224
- 05ENGINE880
Owners frequently report transmission limp mode, stuck in 5th gear, and lead frame issues that can cause sudden loss of power. One owner said a lead frame failure nearly ended their life.
Complaints include output speed sensor failures triggering limp mode and rear window defroster shorts that can cause the back window to shatter. These electrical faults can strand drivers or create safety hazards.
Some owners report the rear window exploding outward after using the defroster, with no external cause. This is a serious safety concern that can happen without warning.
Although not detailed in the sample complaints, exterior lighting is a top complaint category, suggesting owners experience lighting failures that may affect visibility.
“This lead frame issue is never ending. Well over a decade without a proper remedy. I’m very familiar with it. but this one nearly ended my life. After the near collision I called my mechanic and bought a new ford lead frame from a dealership. It’s doing fine…”
“My 2017 Ford F-150 V8 with the 6-speed automatic transmission has been experiencing a serious and recurring transmission malfunction. The truck has consistently, almost on a daily basis, gone into limp mode and become stuck in 5th gear. It also frequently fai…”
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…
FORD F 150 — 151 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater and previously remedied under recall 18V894. During the previous repair, the block he…
The risk: A damaged cable could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the engine block heater from being used. When replacement cables become available, a second notice will be mailed and dealers will replace the engine block heater cord, free of charge. The…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Ford F-150 Regular Cab and SuperCrew Cab vehicles. If a front seat belt pretensioner deploys as the result of a crash, the sparks may ignite materials such as carpeting or insulation within the B-pillar area.
The risk: A vehicle fire could result if materials ignite inside the vehicle.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will remove the B-pillar insulation material and wiring harness tape, and install heat resistant tape, free of charge. The recall began September 28, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2017 Ford F-150, and 2017 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks. The doors on these vehicles may have a bent or kinked actuation cable or the door latches may freeze after water gets into the latch. Either condition can result in the do…
The risk: A door that opens while driving can increase the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the door latch actuation cables and repair if necessary, and install water shields over the door latches, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Ford customer…
Buyer analysis
Cadillac ATS or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Cadillac ATS has far fewer complaints per year (about 55) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,160). In practice, this means an ATS owner is less likely to face frequent repair visits, but the F-150's higher volume reflects its much larger sales base. Both have serious reported issues, but the F-150's problems appear more widespread.
Key differences
- The Cadillac ATS averages about 55 complaints per year; the Ford F-150 averages over 1,160 per year.
- Cadillac ATS owners report transmission shuddering and power steering loss; Ford F-150 owners report transmission limp mode and lead frame failures.
- The Ford F-150 has 151 recalls versus 21 for the Cadillac ATS, indicating more widespread safety campaigns.
- Ford F-150 complaints include rear window shattering from defroster shorts, a unique and dangerous issue not seen in the ATS data.
- Check for transmission shuddering or lurching during test drive, especially at highway speeds and when braking.
- Inspect power steering function and look for any airbag warning lights; ask for service records on wire harness or steering gear repairs.
- Test the transmission for limp mode or getting stuck in 5th gear; scan for output speed sensor codes like P0722.
- Check the rear window defroster operation and look for any cracks or signs of shattering; ask if the lead frame has been replaced.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a mechanic inspect the transmission and electrical systems, focusing on the specific reported issues.
- For the Cadillac ATS, test drive at various speeds to feel for transmission shudder or steering loss.
- For the Ford F-150, scan for transmission error codes and test the rear defroster and window integrity.
- Ask the seller for maintenance records, especially any repairs related to power train, steering, or electrical components.
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 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 52 |
| 2018 | 21 | 79 |
| 2017 | 32 | 59 |
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 FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Cadillac ATS vs FORD F 150
- Cadillac ATS total complaints
- 383
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,621
- Cadillac ATS total recalls
- 21
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 151
- Cadillac ATS avg complaints/year
- 54.7
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1162.1
- More reliable overall
- Cadillac ATS
- Cadillac ATS top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN