Sell your 2005 Lexus ES for cash

The 2005 Lexus ES is a midsize car that came with a 3.3L 6-cyl engine. 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.

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2005 Lexus ES at a glance

Body styleMidsize Cars
Engines3.3L 6-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 5-spd
DriveFront-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$3,200 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂423 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA1 configuration
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 ES'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 2 recalls for the 2005 ES. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the vehicle speed control, typically around 23,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2005 Lexus ES recalls

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls covering the 2005 Lexus ES. 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.

Engine and Engine CoolingNov 2011 · NHTSA campaign 11V539000

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004 avalon vehicles; 2004 and 2005 camry, camry solara, highlander, and sienna vehicles, 2006 highlander hybrid; 2004 and 2005 Lexus es330 and rx330; and 2006 Lexus rx400h vehicles manufactured from june 1, 2004 through march 31, 2005, equipped with the 1mz-fe or 3mz-fe engine. The amount of…

Risk: In some cases, the belt for the power steering pump may become detached from the pulley which could result in a loss of power steering and a sudden increase in steering effort, increasing the risk of a crash.

Seat BeltsDec 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V595000

On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a front passenger power seat, when installing certain rear-facing infant child seat bases onto the seat with an excessively high seatbelt tension, it may be possible to unseat a component called the buckle status switch from the seat belt buckle.

Risk: If the switch becomes unseated, the front passenger occupant classification system may mistake the rear-facing child restraint for an unbelted adult occupant, and may not suppress the deployment of the front passenger airbag.

Common 2005 ES problems

Owners have filed 200 complaints about the 2005 Lexus ES with NHTSA. 48 reports involved a crash and 2 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 29 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

  • Vehicle Speed Control60
  • Power Train51
  • Air Bags25
  • Power Train13
  • Electrical System7
  • Engine and Engine Cooling7

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Vehicle Speed Control23,000 mi
  • Power Train6,000 mi
  • Air Bags80,000 mi
  • Power Train70,000 mi
  • Electrical System56,000 mi
  • Engine and Engine Cooling1,000 mi

2005 Lexus ES service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 60 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2005 Lexus ES. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Structure9
  • Equipment8
  • Electrical System4
  • Electrical System4
  • Equipment4
  • Visibility4

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsDec 2025 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev2

    Some 2005 - 2026 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to re

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2024 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1

    Some 2005 - 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to re

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJul 2024 · L-SB-0030-24 Rev1

    Some 2005 - 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to re

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 2024 · L-SB-0030-24

    Some 2005 - 2024 Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to r

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2022 · Safety Recall 22

    Lexus Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements 4.13.2022

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 2022 · L-SB-0004-22

    TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Lexus vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in th

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 2005 Lexus ES.

Vehicle Speed ControlDP05002 · opened Aug 2005, closed Jan 2006

Vehicle speed control

In a letter dated july 8, 2005, and after experiencing two incidents (and one crash) where he alleges his model year (my) 2002 camry accelerated without driver input, mr. Jordan ziprin petitioned the national highway traffic safety administration?s (NHTSA) office of defects investigation (odi) to commence a proceeding

Other Lexus ES years

‹ Sell a 2004 ES · Sell a 2006 ES › · All Lexus ES years

Other 2005 Lexus models

Selling a 2005 ES: questions

How much is a 2005 Lexus ES 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 ES that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2005 ESs 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 ES with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2005 Lexus ES; 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 ES?

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.

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