CadillacATS2018Overview/cadillac/ats/2018/base/

2018 Cadillac ATS

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 ATS.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2018 Cadillac ATS is a compact luxury passenger car that utilizes a 6.0-quart engine oil capacity with 5W-30 viscosity specification, reflecting its performance-oriented design within GM's lineup; during this model year, owners filed 21 total complaints with the Power Train category representing the most frequent concern, and the vehicle was subject to two recall campaigns, positioning the 2018 ATS within a notable trajectory of improvement as complaint volumes had declined from a peak of 160 in 2013 to this figure, suggesting meaningful quality refinements since the model's introduction despite persisting drivetrain-related issues.

Model year2019201820172016201520142013

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque140 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI w/o Start Stop: 48; w/Start Stop: 94R · w/o Start Stop: 700 CCA; w/Start Stop: 730 CCA battery, OE oil filter 12731742. 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 w/o Start Stop: 48; w/Start Stop: 94R · w/o Start Stop: 700 CCA; w/Start Stop: 730 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter12731742 alt 25206377
Engine air filter13367308 alt 20857930
Spark plug12662396 alt 12681659
Battery88864542 alt 88864541
Front wiper blades84574892 alt 84613732
Serpentine belt12664598 alt 12647764
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.

5.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.60 sec — 2018 2.0T Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
20182.0T Coupe 2.0L Turbo I-45.60 sec14.00 sec272 hpRWD
2017Premium Performance 3.6 Sedan 3.6L V65.60 sec14.20 sec335 hpRWD
2017Luxury 2.0T Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-45.70 sec14.20 sec272 hpRWD
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

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 6.0 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 · DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 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

Automatic Transmission FluidUse Dexron HP
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.4-7.4
Brake FluidDOT 4 · DOT 3
Clutch FluidDOT 3
Engine Coolant Capacity9.3
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs89.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts140 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub184.0 Do not re-use old hub nut. 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.035 in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Numberw/o Start Stop: 48; w/Start Stop: 94R
Standard BCI Group Number140R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance560 cca
Standard BCI Group Numberw/o Start Stop: 48; w/Start Stop: 94R
Standard BCI Group NumberStart Stop: 94R; Without Start Stop: 48
Standard BCI Cranking PerformanceStart Stop: 730; Without Start Stop: 700 cca

Service checks

Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-94.0
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-100.0
Key ON Engine OFF (KOEO)50.0-94.0
RPM43.0-58.0 @ Idle rpm
Engine Compression100

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 21; Rear: 27
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 111 ft-lbs; Rear: 74 then
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .906; Rear: .827
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: .945; Rear: .866
Variation from Parallelism Thickness VariationFront: .001; Rear: .002
Maximum Rotor Runout.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
137.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45.037 ft. lbs
Camshaft Sprocket and/or Gear Bolt(s) — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10022 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 4 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2Back off 360 degrees360 degrees
318.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
4110.0
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
2110.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 140 degrees Use new bolts.111 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15074 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts. Do not allow oil to contaminate cylinder head surface or head bolt bosses.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2190 degrees190 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts. Do not allow oil to contaminate cylinder head surface or head bolt bosses. · M11 Bolts

144.0 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
2150 degrees; M8 Bolts150 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
275 degrees75 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not re-use old bolts. Do not allow oil to contaminate cylinder head surface or head bolt bosses. · M11 Bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2150 degrees; M8 Bolts150 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
275 degrees75 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
18.8 ft. lbs.8.8 ft. lbs
28.8
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
18.8 ft. lbs.8.8 ft. lbs
28.8
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
18.8 ft. lbs.8.8 ft. lbs
28.8
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Inner bolts

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
280 degrees; Outer bolts80 degrees
111.0 ft. lbs.11 ft. lbs
2110.0 degrees; Side bolts110 degrees
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
260.0 degrees60 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Lower crankcase crankshaft bolts

115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
2140 degrees; Lower crankcase perimeter bolts140 degrees
118.0 ft. lbs.18 ft. lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 14015 ft. lbs
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.47.4 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)
Every 45,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 97,500 miSpark Plug Wires (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · 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 2018 Cadillac ATS sits near the bottom of a clear downward trend in reported federal problems: owner complaints fell from 160 in 2013 to 21 in 2018, recalls dropped from 6 to 2, and TSBs declined every year from 2,402 to 1,053. Compared with the immediately preceding model years, 2018 is cleaner than 2017 (32 complaints, 2 recalls, 1,296 TSBs) and 2016 (35 complaints, 3 recalls, 1,579 TSBs), while only the abbreviated final-year 2019 record (2 complaints, 0 recalls, 775 TSBs) looks stronger. Within the 2018 record, the leading complaint categories are powertrain (5), steering (3), electrical system (2), and air bags (2), with one crash-related complaint and no fire complaints, though the data does not identify specific root causes. That placement near the end of the generation’s improvement curve suggests most early-run issues had been addressed by 2018, leaving a relatively small residual complaint profile. For a used-car buyer, the 2018 ATS is one of the better years to consider in this generation, with lower federal complaints and recalls than earlier years and only the minimal 2019 data looking slightly stronger.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
1053
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
21
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 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 21 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train5
Steering3
Electrical System2
Air Bags2
Exterior Lighting2
Structure1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V358000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 31/05/2018

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 GMC Canyon, 2016-2017 Buick Envision, 2016-2018 Chevrolet Colorado and Malibu, 2017-2018 GMC Acadia, 2018 Buick LaCrosse, Cadillac ATS, Chevrolet Equinox, and GMC… Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will replace the high pressure fuel pump, and high pressure fuel pipe, free of charge. The recall began July 2, 2018. Owners may contact Buick…

25V175000Steering:Electric Power Assist SystemReported 20/03/2025

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. Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 1053 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 2018 ATS take?

6.0 qt of 5W-30 Use GM Dexos 1 Oil or equivalent, per the factory manual.

Does the 2018 ATS have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.