2013-’16 Cadillac ATS Recalled for Rear Defogger Flaw That Poses Fire Risk

DETROIT – General Motors is recalling approximately 97,000 2013-’16 Cadillac ATS sedans in the U.S. because a rear defogger system flaw poses a fire risk.

GM said it is aware of four fires, but no injuries, fatalities or crashes.

“Less than 1 percent of the recalled vehicles are expected to have the condition,” GM said in a statement.

This is part of a larger global recall of 121,000 vehicles.

“Some of these vehicles may have been manufactured with critically weak terminal connectivity in the coil antenna module, which powers the rear defogger system,” GM said. “If the module has the condition and is subjected to excessive cycling or continuous operation, it may overheat and a fire may develop inside the rear pillar on the driver’s side of the vehicle.”

Cadillac dealers will reprogram the Electronic Climate Control module to remove the automatic rear defogger “on” function that results from a manual or remote start of the vehicle.

The owner will still be able to turn on the function manually from inside the vehicle.

The service procedure was released to dealers last week, and vehicles built after September 2 have the revised software.

Owners can contact Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006.

No information about the recall has been posted on the Web site of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which oversees vehicle safety in the U.S.

Edmunds says: If you own one of these vehicles, it’s time to schedule a service appointment with your Cadillac dealer.