Model year guide

2005 Cadillac XLR

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2005 Cadillac XLR is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 8 on record.

2005 Cadillac XLR — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2005 Cadillac XLR at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints31
Combined18 mpg
Typical price$16,494

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2005 Cadillac XLR recalls 3

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #11E009000 · 28/02/2011

TI AUTOMOTIVE IS RECALLING CERTAIN FUEL PUMPS, PART NUMBERS TU456 AND TU303, SOLD UNDER VARIOUS BRAND NAMES AS AFTERMARKET AND REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR THE MOTOR VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MAY SEIZE, STOPPING THE FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE CREATING A STALLING CONDITION.

Fix: TI AUTOMOTIVE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS OF RECORD AND WILL REPLACE ANY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP WITH A NEW OR REWORKED FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 22, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TI AUTOMOTIVE AT 1-866-867-3759 OR LOG ON TO WWW.RECALLRESPONSE.COM.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings NHTSA Campaign #04V525000 · 03/11/2004

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH ONE OR BOTH REAR BRAKE HYDRAULIC LINES THAT CAN COME IN CONTACT WITH OR BE AFFECTED BY HEAT FROM THE LEFT ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE LEFT EXHAUST PIPE. THE BRAKE FLUID COULD REACH ELEVATED TEMPERATURES AND BOIL.

Fix: DEALERS WILL (1) INSPECT THE LEFT ENGINE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CLIP FOR PROPER ALIGNMENT AND PLACEMENT ON THE BODY-MOUNTED STUD. IF INCORRECT, THEY WILL REPOSITION THE CLIP ON THE BRAKE LINES AND REINSTALL THE CLIP ON THE STUD; (2) THE DEALER WILL VERIFY THAT BOTH REAR BRAKE LINES HAVE THE PROPER CLE…

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal NHTSA Campaign #06V263000 · 19/07/2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL), TURN SIGNAL, AND PARKING LAMPS USE THE SAME BULB. THE BULB MAY BECOME DAMAGED FROM VIBRATION WITHIN A LOOSE FITTING SOCKET OR AIR ENTERING THE BULB DUE TO AN INADEQUATE SEAL. BOTH OF THESE CONDITIONS WILL CAUSE THE BULB TO BURN OUT PREMATURELY.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SOCKET AND BULB IN BOTH LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2005 Cadillac XLR common problems

Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Visibility
Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

2005 Cadillac XLR MPG & running costs

Combined18 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway23 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,550

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

What's a 2005 Cadillac XLR worth?

Low
$11,900
Typical price
$16,494
High
$24,700

From 8 comparable 2005 Cadillac XLR listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2005 Cadillac XLR costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$22,750
Fuel only$22,750
Per mile$0.30

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2005 Cadillac XLR trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl

2005 Cadillac XLR vehicles on record

2005 Cadillac XLR 2005 Cadillac XLR Base1G6YV34A955601560 2005 Cadillac XLR 2005 Cadillac XLR Base1G6YV34A255600637 2005 Cadillac XLR 2005 Cadillac XLR Base1G6YV34A855604014 2005 Cadillac XLR 2005 Cadillac XLR Base1G6YV34AX55602832 2005 Cadillac XLR 2005 Cadillac XLR Base1G6YV34A355600792 2005 Cadillac XLR 2005 Cadillac XLR Base1G6YV34A055604122 2005 Cadillac XLR 2005 Cadillac XLR Base1G6YV34A455600350 2005 Cadillac XLR 2005 Cadillac XLR Base1G6YV34A755601234

Other Cadillac XLR model years

2009 2008 2007 2006 2004

2005 Cadillac XLR — frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Cadillac XLR have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2005 Cadillac XLR. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Cadillac XLR?

Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are structure, forward collision avoidance, visibility.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Cadillac XLR get?

The 2005 Cadillac XLR has a U.S. EPA estimate of 18 mpg combined (15 city / 23 highway).

How much is a 2005 Cadillac XLR worth?

Comparable 2005 Cadillac XLR listings run roughly $11,900–$24,700, typically around $16,494 (from 8 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.