CadillacATS2013Overview/cadillac/ats/2013/base/

2013 Cadillac ATS

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 ATS.

Body PASSENGER CAR

The 2013 Cadillac ATS is a compact passenger car built on Cadillac’s rear‑wheel‑biased platform and equipped with a power‑train that, despite its sophistication, generated the highest volume of owner complaints in the model’s seven‑year span—160 issues, primarily in the power‑train domain, and prompted six recalls. Its service routine calls for a modest 5.0‑quart fill of 5W‑20 oil, a detail that underscores the engine’s precise lubrication requirements. Because 2013 marks the peak of reported problems, researchers view this year as the most challenging point in the ATS’s reliability trajectory, with subsequent model years showing a steady decline to just two complaints by 2019.

Model year2019201820172016201520142013

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque100 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 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 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter25206377 alt 12577653
Engine air filter20857930
Spark plug12681660 alt 12681659
Battery88864542 alt 88864541
Front wiper blades84574892 alt 22905714
Serpentine belt12648981 alt 12652186
Thermostat12630780 alt 12582472
Cabin air filter13508023

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.1 in
Overall width70.9 in
Overall height53.9 in
Wheelbase109.4 in
Curb weight3314 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 60.6 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.

5.4–7.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.40 sec — 2013 Premium 3.6 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2013Premium 3.6 Sedan 3.6L V65.40 sec14.00 sec321 hpRWD
2013Premium 3.6 Sedan 3.6L V65.40 sec14.00 sec321 hpRWD
2013Premium 3.6 Sedan 3.6L V65.50 sec14.00 sec321 hpRWD
2013Premium 3.6 Sedan 3.6L V65.60 sec14.20 sec321 hpRWD
2013Premium 3.6 Sedan 3.6L V65.60 sec14.10 sec321 hpRWD
2013Premium 3.6 Sedan 3.6L V65.70 sec14.10 sec321 hpRWD
2013Premium 2.0T Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.40 sec272 hpRWD
2013Premium 2.0T Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.40 sec272 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.0 qt of 5W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 100 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.0 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

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.4
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine Oil5W-20
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity5.0 qt
Engine Oil5W-30

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts6.6 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts8.8 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts18 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts34 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts100 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub184 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub184 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Type41-109
Spark Plug Gap0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque13.0 ft-lbs
Spark Plug ManufacturerAC Delco
Spark Plug Gap0.035-0.043 in

Battery & A/C

Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca
Optional BCI Group Number94R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance730 cca
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance700 cca
Optional BCI Group Number94R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance730 cca

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
Injector Primary Resistance1.35-1.65 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Injector Primary Resistance1.9-2.3 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression100

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH RPO J55 / WITH FN3
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.030; Rear: 0.030 in
Brake ApplicationWITH RPO J55 / WITH FN3
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.001 in / 0.002 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.063 in / 1.024 in / 0.906 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.063 in / 1.024 in / 0.906 in
Rotor Minimum Machining1.102 in / 0.945 in / 0.866 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Torque Caliper to Bracket — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111 FT. LBS., STEP 2: 30111 FT. LBS
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1111 ft. lbs., step 2: 180111 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
174 ft. lbs., step 2: 15074 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 2 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2190 degrees190 degrees
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
134

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 Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Oil (inspect fluid level)
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 Plug Wires (inspect) · Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 97,500 miTransfer Case Assembly (drain & refill) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · 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 2013 Cadillac ATS, as the debut model year, stands out with the highest complaint count (160) and recall count (6) in the generation, alongside an exceptionally high number of Technical Service Bulletins (2,402). This peak in reported issues—dominated by power train, engine, and electrical system complaints—reflects typical first-year teething problems that sharply decline in subsequent years, with complaints dropping to 102 in 2014 and just 28 by 2015, while recalls halve by 2017. The rapid improvement across the generation suggests that many early faults were identified and addressed through the extensive TSBs and recalls, but the 2013 model remains the most problematic year. For a used car buyer, this means a 2013 ATS carries a higher risk of unresolved issues, particularly in the power train and engine, and should only be considered with thorough service history verification.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
2402
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
160
Owner complaints
9 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 160 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train26
Engine22
Electrical System13
Steering8
Unknown Or Other8
Exterior Lighting5
Air Bags4
Power Train,Engine4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 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 2402 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…
PIP4902U2026-01-08Unknown Or OtherThis preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into…
PIT5214G2025-11-20Unknown Or OtherThis Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about…

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 2013 ATS take?

5.0 qt of 5W-20 ONLY USE ENGINE OIL MEETING GM DEXOS 1 SPECIFICATION., per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 ATS have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.