Used 2005 Cadillac CTS Consumer Reviews
Used CTS for sale
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Fun to drive but...
Paul Shorts, 12/18/2015
2005 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
23 of 28 people found this review helpful
Jumped into this after 4 years of driving a Buick Century. Couldn't resist the feel and performance, and fun of the 6 speed manual. Had great luck with the cheap old Buick so I figured I'd be safe purchasing another GM product. Purchased the car with 92,000 miles and it looked and drove like new. Had all dealer service records so I thought I'd be safe. Whoops! Pros - The car handles amazing, and is extremely comfortable and fun to drive. Cons - At 105K a grommet on the gear shift went out. Could still get 1st - 6th gears fine, but couldn't put it in reverse. $300 part, but Cadillac was out of them, and nothing aftermarket was available. Had to drive for 2 months with no reverse while waiting for the part. Sortly after purchase I noticed I was having fairly high oil consumption. Never had a car do this so I contacted Cadillac. Told them I was burning 2.5 quarts per 5000 miles. I was told by a mechanic at a Cadillac dealer that "that's really low consumption for the 3.6 motor". Now with 170K miles on it, it's using 1.5 - 2 quarts every 1000 miles. At 126K the motor broke a valve. Needed a full valve / upper motor job. $3500! At around 125K the traction control / ABS started acting up. Traction control engages when not needed, and occasionally the ABS engages when stopping, which can be a little scary. Transmission started leaking at about 125K. Too expensive to fix, so just keep adding oil to the MT when I change the oil. At 150K the brake lights quit working. Turns out it's a problem with the wiring loom. Repair was ridiculous so I just re wired it myself direct from the relay to the brake lights. Right catalytic converter now needs to be replaced. Can't get an inexpensive aftermarket cat in California. Going to be dumping this "beauty" as a non-op when it's time to get it smogged. Still can't believe that my cheap old Buick ran so well and never had a problem, and the sweet Caddy has literally been a piece of junk.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
My 2004 CTS
Robert Leo, 07/01/2004
2005 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
12 of 14 people found this review helpful
As evidenced by the miles on the car, I do not drive a lot. However, the car provides what I ask of it when needed. The ease and comfort of operation is exceptional.
2005 Cadillac CTS for sale near you
Showing 3 of 20 listings
- Base SedanMSRP: $4,900134 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: $4,800284 mi away
- Base SedanMSRP: $7,995309 mi away
See all 20 listings
Recurrent Problems
nobby45, 01/27/2009
2005 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
I really enjoyed my CTS for approximately one year. After that I have had recurrent problems with the check engine light, especially recently, coming on nearly every two months. I have had the timing chain replaced three times in less than a year. Each time, I have had to wait at least a month for the part which causes high rental car fees. I have been extremely disappointed. This is the first and last Cadillac I will ever buy.
Blown ENGINE at 46K
Hammer, 08/02/2009
2005 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Just over 46K on this car and it needs a new engine! There was no warning that it had burned all the oil up. After reading more reviews I'm not the only one. I was just out of my warranty, but GM did try to help saying they would pay for 50% of the replacement. Not so fast! Turns out they have to replace the motor the "GM" way, the dealer wouldn't even quote me a price. After asking again he said that it could run more than just putting in a new motor. Thanks, but no thanks! I'll put in a new motor, how's that for BILLIONS of bailout money? I'm sure our kids/grandkids are very happy with our investment. GM should have DIED, don't buy a Caddy.
This Vehicle Might Become Your Casket
nothappy2010, 12/14/2010
2005 Cadillac CTS 4dr Sedan (3.6L 6cyl 6M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
My Navy son was involved in a serious 5 car collision involving my 2005 CTS. The AT-FAULT driver hit my son from the rear, causing him to hit 3 more cars. ALL safety features failed, causing injuries to my son. NONE of the airbags inflated and the seat belt failed to restrain my son. General Motors will not return emails and/or calls-after spending countless hours with my car. They are skirting the accident, which is why I filed a formal complaint with the Consumer Safety Division. Now GM will be required to supply my family with answers. Had my son been hit a mere 10mph faster - he may have suffered severe injury, maybe even death! Thank God he is okay.