Sell your 2005 Cadillac CTS for cash

The 2005 Cadillac CTS is a midsize car that came with a choice of 2.8L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl and 5.7L 8-cyl engines. At 21 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

  • Free offer for your 2005 CTS in about 30 seconds
  • Free towing, running or not
  • Paid at pickup

Get an offer for your 2005 CTS

Six quick questions. No obligation.

Thanks! Online offers are launching soon. Please check back shortly.

Free, no-obligation offer. Free towing included.

2005 Cadillac CTS at a glance

Body styleMidsize Cars
Engines2.8L 6-cyl, 3.6L 6-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl
TransmissionsManual 6-spd, Automatic 5-spd
DriveRear-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline
Fuel economy13–16 city / 21–25 highway / 16–19 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$3,550–$5,150 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂468–555 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA5 configurations: CTS, CTS-V
Age21 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 21 years old, most of a 2005 CTS's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a midsize car, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2005 CTS. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the air bags, typically around 98,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2005 Cadillac CTS recalls

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls covering the 2005 Cadillac CTS. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Fuel System, GasolineSep 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V542000

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2004-2007 Cadillac CTS-V vehicles manufactured October 6, 2003, to March 15, 2007, and 2006-2007 Cadillac STS-V vehicles manufactured June 23, 2005, to March 15, 2007. In the affected vehicles, the electrical terminals of the fuel pump module may overheat resulting in the…

Risk: If the flange melts, a hole may be created allowing the fuel pump to leak fuel, causing the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash. Additionally, leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a f

Electrical SystemJul 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V394000

This defect can affect the safe operation of the airbag system. Until this recall is performed, customers should remove all items from their key rings, leaving only the ignition key. The key fob (if applicable), should also be removed from the key ring. General Motors LLC (GM) notified the agency on July 2, 2014 that they are…

Risk: If the key is not in the run position, the air bags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Air BagsDec 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V644000

General motors is recalling certain model year 2005-2007 Cadillac CTS vehicles. Some of these vehicles have a condition in which repeated flexing of the passenger sensing system mat in the front passenger seat may cause the mat to kink, bend, or fold. This flexing can break the connections in the mat. If this occurs, the sensor may…

Risk: Non-deployment of the front passenger air bag in the event of a crash necessitating that air bag's deployment may reduce protection of the passenger and increase the risk or severity of injury to them.

Service Brakes, HydraulicMar 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V105000

General motors has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2003-2007 Cadillac CTS vehicles currently registered in or originally sold in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island…

Risk: The brake hose-tube interface may rupture suddenly without prior warning and increase vehicle stopping distance may occur increasing the risk of a crash.

Power TrainDec 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V589000

On certain passenger vehicles, the rear axle pinion seal does not meet all of the specifications and may experience a fluid leak.

Risk: A rear differential failure may cause loss of motive power and possibly loss of control increasing the risk of a crash.

Fuel System, GasolineJan 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V020000

Certain vehicles equipped with v6 engines may have a condition where fuel is no longer supplied to the engine. This condition occurs without the illumination of the fuel level low indicator light or the warning chime.

Risk: If the engine stops running, the operator will not be able to restart the vehicle which could increase the risk of a crash.

Common 2005 CTS problems

Owners have filed 277 complaints about the 2005 Cadillac CTS with NHTSA. 25 reports involved a crash and 4 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 31 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Air Bags61
  • Power Train39
  • Electrical System33
  • Power Train27
  • Engine24
  • Service Brakes22

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Air Bags98,000 mi
  • Power Train9,000 mi
  • Electrical System78,000 mi
  • Power Train80,000 mi
  • Engine86,000 mi
  • Service Brakes98,000 mi

2005 Cadillac CTS service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 626 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2005 Cadillac CTS. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Equipment78
  • Equipment68
  • Electrical System55
  • Engine and Engine Cooling42
  • Engine31
  • Equipment Adaptive/Mobility26

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2025 · PIP5601C

    This PI communicates the requirement to provide a pico file to receive diagnostic assistance from TAC.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMay 2025 · PIT5074R

    This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMay 2025 · PIT5074R

    This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMay 2025 · PIT5074R

    This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B and Mini 50 terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 3 defect investigations covering the 2005 Cadillac CTS.

Air BagsEQ11001 · opened Feb 2011, closed Jul 2011

IEE Passenger Sensing System Mats

On December 17, 2010, General Motors (GM) notified the NHTSA that it had decided certain 2005 - 2007 model year Cadillac CTS vehicles contain a safety related defect.GM stated that certain CTS vehicles contain a passenger sensing system mat, manufactured by IEE, in the front passenger seat that may flex causing the mat

Power TrainEA07017 · opened Dec 2007, closed Jul 2008

Rear drivetrain component failure

In july of 2007 the office of defects investigation (odi) opened pe07-037 to investigate allegations that the rear differential may fail causing a loss of motive power, and in some instances a loss of control, in model year (my) 2004 through 2006 Cadillac CTS, CTS-v, and sts vehicles.as a result of that investigation g

Power TrainPE07037 · opened Jul 2007, closed Dec 2007Led to recall 07V589000

Failure of the rear differential

Odi evaluated two different alleged defects involving rear drivetrain components during this preliminary evaluation.gm is conducting a recall to address one of the defect conditions and odi has opened an engineering analysis to continue its investigation of the other alleged defect. On december 19, 2007, gm submitted a

Other Cadillac CTS years

‹ Sell a 2004 CTS · Sell a 2006 CTS › · All Cadillac CTS years

Other 2005 Cadillac models

Selling a 2005 CTS: questions

How much is a 2005 Cadillac CTS worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2005 CTS that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2005 CTSs that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2005 CTS with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2005 Cadillac CTS; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2005 CTS?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

Get cash for your 2005 CTS today

Get a free offer in minutes. Towing is always free and you get paid at pickup.

Get my offer
Get my offer