CadillacATS2016Overview/cadillac/ats/2016/base/

2016 Cadillac ATS

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 ATS.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2016 Cadillac ATS is a passenger car that takes 5.0 to 6.0 quarts of 5W-30 or 0W-30 engine oil. Owner complaints for this model year numbered 35, with the power train being the most reported issue, alongside three recalls. Within the ATS’s 20132019 production span, the 2016 model represents a significant reliability gain over the 160-complaint debut year, though it falls short of the near-flawless 2-complaint record of the final 2019 model.

Model year2019201820172016201520142013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.0-6.0OEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 / 0W-30OEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 700 CCA battery, OE oil filter 25206377. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 700 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP225/45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter25206377 alt 12731742
Engine air filter20857930 alt 13367308
Spark plug12681659 alt 12646780
Battery88864541 alt 88864542
Front wiper blades84613732 alt 84574892
Serpentine belt12647764 alt 12664598
Thermostat12647181 alt 12630780
Cabin air filter13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length184.3 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height53.5 in
Wheelbase109.1 in
Curb weight3571 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the ATS of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 2016 Premium 2.0T Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016Premium 2.0T Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-45.40 sec14.10 sec272 hpAWD
2015Premium 3.6 Coupe 3.6L V65.40 sec14.00 sec321 hpRWD
2015Premium 2.0T Coupe 2.0L Turbo I-45.50 sec14.10 sec272 hpRWD
2015Premium 3.6 Coupe 3.6L V65.60 sec14.10 sec321 hpRWD
2015Premium 2.0T Coupe 2.0L Turbo I-45.70 sec14.10 sec272 hpRWD
2015Premium 2.0T Coupe 2.0L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.30 sec272 hpRWD
2015Premium 3.6 Coupe 3.6L V66.20 sec14.60 sec321 hpRWD
2017Premium Performance 3.6 Sedan 3.6L V65.60 sec14.20 sec335 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.0-6.0 of 5W-30 / 0W-30 engine oil, 75W-90 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 15.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Brake Fluid Capacity0.95-1.15
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90
Engine CoolantDex Cool
Engine Coolant Capacity8.0 qt
Engine CoolantDex Cool
Engine Coolant Capacity7.0 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts49.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug15.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission41.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 184.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 199.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 199.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap.037 - .043 in
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.20 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca
Optional BCI Group Number94R

Service checks

Pressure Test15 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief15 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature188-206 °F
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-94
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50-100
Engine Compression100 psi
Engine Compression100 min psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 21; Rear: 27 /
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 111; Rear: 74 /; Front: 111 Turn
ABS Sensor Torque7.3 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: JE5:
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: JE5:
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: .001; Rear: .002
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1110
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1110
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1110
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: loosen all bolts completely, Step 3: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 11022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2190 degrees190 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse the 11.0mm bolts. Ensure new bolts are the same thread pitch as the bolts being replaced. Failure to use bolts of the same thread pitch will cause engine damage or failure. · M11 Bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
260 degrees60 degrees
360 degrees60 degrees
460 degrees; M6 Bolts60 degrees
18.9 ft. lbs.8.9 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
139.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 2539 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 8022 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0, Step 3: 40
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4522 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant at 150,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 150,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 miAccelerator Pedal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil Life Monitor (inspect)
Every 22,500 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 45,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Clutch Hydraulic System (drain & refill) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Cadillac ATS sits mid-generation, benefiting from a clear declining trend in problems that began with the 2013 launch year (160 complaints, 6 recalls) and continues through 2019 (2 complaints, 0 recalls). The 2016 model shows 35 complaints and 3 recalls—up slightly from 2015's 28 complaints but down meaningfully from the 4 recalls that preceded it, and substantially below the 2013-2014 launch period. Technical Service Bulletins also trended downward (1,579 in 2016 versus 2,402 at launch), indicating cumulative refinements. The 2016's top complaint areas—Power Train (7), Air Bags (5), and Steering (3)—are relatively concentrated but modest in absolute numbers, with 3 crash-related and 1 fire-related complaint on record. No federal investigations were opened in any year of this generation. The concrete takeaway: 2016 represents a reasonable purchase window—it has moved past the highest-complaint launch years while still offering more recall coverage than the post-2017 models, though a pre-purchase inspection focusing on powertrain and air bag systems is advisable given the complaint distribution.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1579
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
35
Owner complaints
3 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 35 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train7
Air Bags5
Steering3
Power Train,Electrical System,Engine2
Visibility/Wiper2
Electrical System2
Engine2
Wheels2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V463000Visibility:Sun/Moon Roof AssemblyReported 24/07/2015

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… 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…

15V558000Visibility:Defroster/Defogger/Hvac SystemReported 03/09/2015

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… 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1579 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
PIT3271Q2026-04-01Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel…
PIP61042026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and…
PIP4902V2026-03-09Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIP5700G2026-01-12Unknown Or OtherThis PI communicates the proper part numbers for transmission connectors and internal…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific ATS. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2016 ATS take?

5.0-6.0 of 5W-30 meeting GM Dexos 1 specification or equivalent. Where temperatures fall below -20 degreesF, GM recommends using either an SAE 5W-30 synthetic oil or an SAN 0W-30 oil., per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 ATS have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.