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The bottom line: A common car repair costs anywhere from $79 to $99 for an engine air filter to $6,238 to $6,764 for a transmission. Those are RepairPal’s national averages before tax, with parts at the manufacturer’s list price.
Where you live moves the bill, because shop labor rates differ by state and by city. The shop matters too: a dealer charges more per hour than an independent shop for the same work.
Your car brand matters just as much. Luxury vehicles cost more across the board, for routine maintenance as well as big repairs.
Car repair costs are 60% higher than in January 2019 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ index, driven by more complex vehicles, a shortage of skilled mechanics, and parts prices.
If you’re facing a large repair estimate, find out what your car would be offered before you commit. You can compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor to see what buyers offer for it as it is.
Key Takeaways
- How much a car repair costs: from under a hundred dollars for an engine air filter to more than six thousand for a transmission, at RepairPal’s national averages, with parts at the manufacturer’s list price; the full list is below.
- Labor: roughly a third to a half of most bills; a dealer charges more per hour than an independent shop, and the same job costs more in a big coastal city than in a small town.
- Check engine light: the average repair behind the light was about four hundred dollars in 2024 by CarMD’s index, and a loose gas cap is the cheapest cause.
- Since 2019: repair costs are up by more than half, by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ index.
- Brands: Honda, Toyota and Mazda sit at the bottom of ConsumerAffairs’ annual-cost ranking, Porsche, Land Rover and BMW at the top.
- The half rule: if the estimate is more than half of what the car would be offered, selling it as it is usually wins.
Automated assistant: general info, not legal advice
Answers come from our state paperwork data and published guides. Confirm anything binding with your state DMV.
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Average Car Repair Costs at a Glance
The figures below are RepairPal’s national averages, labor plus parts at the manufacturer’s list price, before tax. A luxury car sits at or beyond the top of each range.
The chart carries the repairs drivers meet most; the table under it is the whole list, cheapest to dearest.
What common repairs cost RepairPal national averages, 21 repairs, dated 2026-09-03Show the numbers
Repair Low estimate High estimate Transmission replacement $6,238 $6,764 Head gasket $2,572 $3,386 Timing chain $2,120 $2,764 Catalytic converter $2,280 $2,480 Clutch $1,630 $2,047 Radiator $1,368 $1,550 Fuel pump $1,344 $1,513 AC compressor $1,081 $1,463 Shock or strut $1,144 $1,348 Muffler $1,138 $1,190 Engine control module $1,122 $1,192 Timing belt $918 $1,338 Water pump $891 $1,135 Alternator $809 $1,088 Starter $565 $796 EGR valve $489 $632 Oxygen sensor $440 $523 Wheel bearing $346 $504 Brake pads $335 $394 Spark plugs $288 $399 Ignition coil $238 $320 
| Repair | RepairPal national average, parts and labor |
|---|---|
| Tire rotation | $49 to $72 |
| Engine air filter replacement | $79 to $99 |
| Cabin air filter replacement | $91 to $114 |
| Windshield wiper blade replacement | $101 to $123 |
| PCV valve replacement | $124 to $173 |
| Gas cap replacement | $138 to $150 |
| Serpentine belt replacement | $154 to $212 |
| Oil change | $160 to $188 |
| Headlight bulb replacement | $181 to $213 |
| Wheel alignment | $186 to $273 |
| Ignition coil replacement | $238 to $320 |
| Ignition switch replacement | $244 to $315 |
| Fuel filter replacement | $258 to $322 |
| Mass airflow sensor replacement | $274 to $381 |
| AC recharge | $285 to $369 |
| Spark plug replacement | $288 to $399 |
| Transmission fluid change | $294 to $356 |
| Suspension ball joint replacement | $307 to $452 |
| Brake pad replacement | $335 to $394 |
| Wheel bearing replacement | $346 to $504 |
| Exhaust manifold gasket replacement | $417 to $596 |
| Oxygen sensor replacement | $440 to $523 |
| EGR valve replacement | $489 to $632 |
| Radiator hose replacement | $498 to $558 |
| Starter replacement | $565 to $796 |
| Brake rotor replacement | $574 to $698 |
| Thermostat replacement | $616 to $716 |
| Coil spring replacement | $758 to $925 |
| Fuel injector replacement | $768 to $953 |
| Control arm replacement | $791 to $909 |
| Alternator replacement | $809 to $1,088 |
| Water pump replacement | $891 to $1,135 |
| Brake caliper replacement | $898 to $968 |
| Timing belt replacement | $918 to $1,338 |
| AC compressor replacement | $1,081 to $1,463 |
| Engine control module (ECU) replacement | $1,122 to $1,192 |
| Muffler replacement | $1,138 to $1,190 |
| Shock or strut replacement | $1,144 to $1,348 |
| Fuel pump replacement | $1,344 to $1,513 |
| Radiator replacement | $1,368 to $1,550 |
| Exhaust manifold replacement | $1,514 to $1,724 |
| Clutch replacement | $1,630 to $2,047 |
| Timing chain replacement | $2,120 to $2,764 |
| Catalytic converter replacement | $2,280 to $2,480 |
| Head gasket replacement | $2,572 to $3,386 |
| Transmission replacement | $6,238 to $6,764 |
Labor is roughly a third to a half of most of these bills, and it is the part that moves with your zip code. Diagnosis, an engine rebuild, a transmission rebuild, a coolant flush and body or glass work have no national figure; a shop quotes each.
How Do Labor Rates Vary by Location?
Where you live has a big impact on what you pay for repairs. Shop labor rates differ by state and by city, and the gap between a big coastal city and a small Southern town is wide enough to change which repairs are worth doing.
The differences reflect the cost of living, local wages, and competition among shops. The same brake job costs more in San Francisco than in rural Louisiana, for the same parts and the same hour of work.
Within one city the type of shop matters as much: dealerships charge the most and use the maker’s parts, independent shops sit in the middle, chain shops compete on price and coupons, and a mobile mechanic can be cheaper again because there is no building to pay for.
Common Car Repairs: Detailed Cost Breakdowns
Each figure is RepairPal’s national average, labor plus parts at the manufacturer’s list price, before tax. The interval, where there is one, is the owner’s manual’s, not ours.
Oil Change
An oil change is $160 to $188 at a shop. A quick-lube chain’s advertised price sits well under that, and synthetic oil costs more per change but goes further between them.
Change it at the interval in the manual. Skipping oil changes is the surest route to the engine repairs at the far end of the list.
Brake Pad Replacement
Brake pads are $335 to $394 per axle; front and rear together doubles it. Squealing is the wear indicator touching the rotor; grinding means you have waited too long.
Complete Brake Job (Pads + Rotors)
Rotors add $574 to $698 on top of the pads, and a seized caliper adds $898 to $968. A luxury car sits at the top of each range, for the parts more than the labor.
Battery Replacement
A parts-store battery fitted in the car park costs less than a shop charges, and an AGM battery for a start-stop car costs more.
Batteries last a few years. If yours is getting old, replace it before it dies and leaves you stranded; the dead battery guide covers the car that already has.
Tire Rotation
A rotation is $49 to $72, and often free where you bought the tires. Do it at the interval in the manual, usually with every oil change, and the tires wear evenly.
Alternator Replacement
An alternator is $809 to $1,088. Signs you need one: dimming headlights, a battery warning light, or a battery that keeps dying; the failed alternator guide has the test.
Starter Replacement
A starter is $565 to $796. If your car won’t start but you hear clicking, or the engine cranks slowly, the starter is a candidate; have the battery tested first, because a weak one gives the same symptoms.
Transmission Repair
A transmission replacement is $6,238 to $6,764, the dearest job RepairPal prices. A rebuild is a mechanic’s estimate; RepairPal publishes no national figure for it, and a solenoid or a fluid service sits far below either.
A fluid change is $294 to $356 and is the one that prevents the other two. Change it at the interval in the manual.
Engine Diagnostics
Diagnosis has no national figure. A shop sets its own fee, often credited against the repair if you go ahead, so ask before you book. A parts-store code read is free, but it tells you the code, not the cause.
Check Engine Light Repairs: Individual Breakdown
The average check engine light repair cost $415 in 2024, by CarMD’s Vehicle Health Index, and the index ranks the ten repairs behind the light. Below is each of the ten at RepairPal’s national average.
The symptoms behind each light are on the most common mechanical issues guide; here is what each fix costs.
1. Replace Oxygen Sensor
An oxygen sensor is $440 to $523 per sensor, and most cars have two to four. A failed one wrecks fuel economy long before it stops the car.
2. Replace Catalytic Converter
A catalytic converter is $2,280 to $2,480. A universal-fit converter is cheaper but has to be welded in; the exhaust problems guide covers the sale if you decide not to.
3. Replace Mass Airflow Sensor
A mass airflow sensor is $274 to $381. Try a can of sensor cleaner first; a dirty sensor throws the same code as a dead one.
4. Replace Spark Plugs and Wires
Spark plugs are $288 to $399 for a set. Plug wires, where the car still has them, are extra and have no national figure; iridium plugs cost more and last several times longer than copper.
5. Tighten or Replace Gas Cap
A gas cap is $138 to $150 at a shop, and a fraction of that bought over the counter and fitted yourself. Tighten it first; a loose cap is the cheapest check engine light there is.
6. Replace Ignition Coil(s)
An ignition coil is $238 to $320 per coil; a full set is one per cylinder. A failing coil shows up as a misfire under load.
7. Replace Thermostat
A thermostat is $616 to $716. Budget for fresh coolant too, since the system is drained to do the job.
8. Replace EVAP Purge Valve/Solenoid
RepairPal publishes no national figure for the purge valve, so it is a mechanic’s estimate. It is a common cause of a light with no change in how the car drives.
9. Replace Fuel Injector(s)
A fuel injector is $768 to $953 per injector, and a fuel filter $258 to $322. A clogged injector shows as rough idle and a misfire on one cylinder.
10. Replace Battery or Charging System Component
Sometimes the light points to the charging system rather than the engine. The alternator figure is in the section above.
What Affects Your Car Repair Costs?
Several factors determine what you’ll actually pay.
Your Location
As shown earlier, where you live makes a big difference. Shop rates in a big coastal city run well above a small Southern town’s for the same work.
Type of Shop
- Dealerships: Most expensive, use OEM parts, specialized in their brand
- Independent mechanics: Mid-range pricing, flexible on parts, good for general repairs
- Chain shops: Competitive pricing, frequent coupons, standardized service
- Mobile mechanics: Can be cheaper due to lower overhead
Your Vehicle
Luxury brands (BMW, Mercedes, Audi) cost more for parts and labor compared to mainstream brands. Older vehicles may need more work but often have cheaper parts.
Parts Quality
- OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): Most expensive, exact fit
- OE (Original Equipment): Same quality as OEM, often made by same supplier, usually cheaper
- Aftermarket: Cheapest option, variable quality, more choices
Urgency
Same-day or emergency repairs cost more. If you can wait and get quotes from multiple shops, you’ll save money.
How to Save Money on Car Repairs
Get Multiple Quotes
Call at least three shops for any repair that costs more than a routine service. Prices differ from shop to shop for the same work, so ask each for a written estimate that breaks parts out from labor. Use RepairPal to check fair price ranges before you call.
Ask What’s Really Necessary
Some shops recommend extra services. Ask: “What happens if I wait?” and “What’s the worst-case scenario?” Safety-critical repairs (brakes, tires) can’t wait. Other things can.
Buy Your Own Parts
Some independent mechanics let you supply parts. The shop’s margin on the part is what you save, and you lose the shop’s warranty on it if it fails.
Learn Basic Maintenance
You can do oil changes, air filter replacements, and battery swaps yourself for the price of the parts. YouTube has tutorials for almost any car repair.
Use Shop Coupons
Chain shops (Firestone, Meineke, Pep Boys) constantly offer coupons. Check their websites before booking.
Maintain Your Car
Regular oil changes, fluid checks, and tire rotations prevent expensive repairs. An oil change is cheap next to an engine replacement, which no publisher prices and a shop quotes in thousands.
Consider Extended Warranties
If you’re buying a used car or keeping a high-mileage car, an extended warranty can save money on major repairs. Read the fine print carefully before signing anything.
When to DIY vs. Hire a Pro
Good DIY Projects:
- Oil changes
- Air filter replacement
- Battery replacement
- Wiper blade installation
- Tire rotation (if you have a jack and jack stands)
- Spark plug replacement (on most vehicles)
Leave to Professionals:
- Brake system work
- Transmission repairs
- Engine work beyond basic maintenance
- Electrical system diagnosis
- Suspension and steering repairs
- Any repair involving airbags
If you’re not confident in your skills, pay a professional. A botched brake job is much more expensive than paying a shop to do it right.
Cost of Routine Car Maintenance Services
Routine services are where the cheap end of RepairPal’s list lives, and where the manual’s interval decides more than the price. The intervals below are typical; your owner’s manual overrides them.
| Maintenance Service | RepairPal national average | Typical interval (check your manual) |
|---|---|---|
| Engine air filter | $79 to $99 | Every 15,000 to 30,000 miles |
| Cabin air filter | $91 to $114 | Every 15,000 to 30,000 miles |
| Oil change | $160 to $188 | Every 5,000 to 7,500 miles; longer on synthetic |
| Tire rotation | $49 to $72 | Every 5,000 to 8,000 miles |
| Wiper blades | $101 to $123 fitted; a parts-store price if you fit them | Every 6 to 12 months |
| Serpentine belt | $154 to $212 | Every 60,000 to 100,000 miles |
| Wheel alignment | $186 to $273 | Every 2 to 3 years, or after a hard knock |
| Transmission fluid change | $294 to $356 | Every 30,000 to 60,000 miles |
| Timing belt | $918 to $1,338 | Every 60,000 to 100,000 miles |
| Coolant flush | No national figure; a shop estimate | Every 30,000 to 50,000 miles or 2 to 5 years |
| Differential fluid change | No national figure; a shop estimate | Every 30,000 to 50,000 miles |
| Power steering fluid flush | No national figure; a shop estimate | Every 50,000 miles |
The timing belt is the one service on this list that turns into an engine repair if you skip it: a snapped belt on an interference engine bends valves, and engine work has no national figure and often costs more than an older car is offered.
A transmission fluid flush costs more than a drain-and-fill but replaces more of the old fluid; a dirty engine air filter hurts fuel economy long before it hurts anything else.
Repair Costs by Car Brand
Not all cars have the same maintenance costs. Your brand matters as much as your location.
Most Affordable Brands
ConsumerAffairs’ ranking of annual repair cost by brand, built on RepairPal’s brand data, puts Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Hyundai and Nissan at the bottom of the list. We don’t type its figures here, because they are one publisher’s inflation adjustment of another’s older data; the order is the useful part.
Most Expensive Brands
Porsche, Land Rover and BMW sit at the top of the same ranking. European luxury brands cost more across the board: parts are expensive, harder to find, and fewer mechanics specialize in them.
Why Some Brands Cost More
Luxury cars pack more technology into every system, and more technology means more things that can break.
Parts cost more because they’re made in smaller quantities. Labor costs more because mechanics need special training and tools.
Whatever the brand, the bill has grown: repair costs are up by more than half since 2019 by the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ index, and a luxury car’s bill grew from a higher base.
Damaged Car Repair Costs
Accident damage, dents, scratches, and collision repairs vary widely depending on severity. No national figure exists for body, paint or glass work, so every figure in this section is a typical body-shop estimate; get a written one for your car.
| Damage Type | Typical body-shop estimate | Typical Repair Method |
|---|---|---|
| Paintless Dent Repair (PDR) | $75 to $300 per dent | Massage dents from behind panel |
| Small Scratch/Paint Chip | $50 to $150 | Touch-up paint or spot repair |
| Deep Scratch (to metal) | $200 to $600 | Sand, fill, repaint affected area |
| Door Ding/Small Dent | $50 to $150 | PDR or minor body work |
| Medium Dent (3 to 6 inches) | $200 to $600 | Body work and paint |
| Large Dent (6+ inches) | $500 to $1,500+ | Extensive body work, possible panel replacement |
| Bumper Repair | $300 to $900 | Repair and repaint or replace |
| Bumper Replacement | $500 to $2,000 | Remove old bumper, install and paint new one |
| Door Replacement | $800 to $2,500 | Replace door, repaint to match |
| Fender Repair | $400 to $1,200 | Straighten, repair, repaint |
| Fender Replacement | $600 to $2,000 | Install new fender, paint to match |
| Hood Replacement | $500 to $1,500 | Install new hood, paint to match |
| Quarter Panel Repair | $1,000 to $3,500 | Complex repair, welding often required |
| Windshield Chip Repair | $60 to $150 | Resin injection (under 6 inches) |
| Windshield Replacement | $200 to $1,000+ | Remove old glass, install new windshield |
| Side Mirror Replacement | $150 to $500 | Replace mirror assembly |
| Full Paint Job | $1,000 to $15,000+ | Strip, prep, paint entire vehicle |
| Frame Straightening | $600 to $10,000+ | Hydraulic frame machine work |
| Minor Collision (cosmetic) | $500 to $2,500 | Body work, paint, minor parts |
| Moderate Collision | $2,500 to $7,500 | Multiple panels, potential mechanical |
| Major Collision | $7,500 to $20,000+ | Extensive damage, structural repair |
Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)
Cost: $75 to $300 per dent
PDR works for dents where the paint is not damaged. Technicians massage dents from behind the panel without repainting. This method costs a lot less than traditional body work and takes 1 to 2 hours instead of days.
Best for: Small to medium dents (up to 6 inches), door dings, hail damage, parking lot dents
Not suitable for: Dents with paint damage, creases, very large dents, or areas where the panel can’t be reached from behind
Scratch and Paint Chip Repair
Cost: $50 to $600 depending on severity
Minor scratches (clear coat only): $50 to $150, often buffed out or touched up with a paint pen
Moderate scratches (through paint to primer): $150 to $400, requires sanding, filling, and repainting the affected area
Deep scratches (to bare metal): $200 to $600, needs rust prevention, primer, paint, and clear coat
Luxury vehicles with special paint (pearl, metallic, multi-stage) cost more due to expensive paint and color-matching complexity.
Bumper Repair vs. Replacement
Repair (scratches, scuffs, minor cracks): $300 to $900
Replacement (severe damage, large cracks): $500 to $2,000
Modern bumper covers are plastic and may contain sensors (parking sensors, collision avoidance, cameras) that must be recalibrated after replacement, adding $100 to $300 to the total cost.
Windshield Damage
Chip or small crack repair (under 6 inches): $60 to $150
Windshield replacement: $200 to $1,000+
Windshields with embedded technology (rain sensors, heads-up display, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) cost $400 to $1,500 or more to replace due to specialized glass and required calibration.
Some insurance policies cover windshield repairs with no deductible. Chips should be repaired right away as they spread into larger cracks.
Door Replacement
Cost: $800 to $2,500 complete
Doors contain complex components: power windows, locks, speakers, wiring, and side-impact airbags. Replacing a door requires a new door shell, transfer or replacement of all internal components, paint matching and blending, and adjustment and alignment.
Full Paint Job
Cost: $1,000 to $15,000+
Basic paint job: $1,000 to $3,000, single-stage paint, minimal prep
Mid-range paint job: $2,500 to $5,000, better paint, more prep work, includes door jambs
High-quality paint job: $5,000 to $15,000+, extensive prep, multiple coats, show-car quality
Paint jobs vary based on preparation quality, paint type, and whether areas like the engine bay and trunk are included.
Frame Damage
Cost: $600 to $10,000+
Frame or unibody damage is the most serious structural damage. Repair requires specialized frame machines to pull and straighten the frame back to factory specs. Severe frame damage may total the vehicle if repair costs exceed what the insurer values it at.
Always get frame damage inspected professionally. Improperly repaired frames can compromise safety and handling.
Factors Affecting Body Repair Costs
Damage Severity: Minor cosmetic damage costs less than structural damage requiring welding or frame work.
Vehicle Make and Model: Luxury vehicles (BMW, Mercedes, Audi) cost more for body work, for the parts and the paint. Economy vehicles (Honda, Toyota, Ford) have cheaper parts and more affordable repairs.
Labor Rates: Body-shop labor rates vary by location. Urban shops charge more than rural shops. Dealerships typically charge the most.
Paint Complexity: Standard solid colors cost less than metallic, pearl, or multi-stage paints. Color matching and blending add cost.
Insurance vs. Out-of-Pocket: Filing an insurance claim may raise your premiums. For damage that costs about what your deductible is, paying yourself often makes more sense.
Should You Repair or Sell Your Car?
Sometimes a repair quote makes you wonder if the car is even worth fixing. As a general rule, if the bill is more than half of what the car would be offered, selling it as it is usually wins.
Common repairs like brake jobs or battery replacements are almost always worth doing. Major repairs like engine or transmission replacements need more thought: a transmission at RepairPal’s average costs several times the middle offer on a car 15 to 17 years old, $555 in our own offer data.
The car’s condition is priced in either way. In our data a car sitting at a repair shop is offered about 43% less than the same car at home, and one that won’t start about 48% less than one that drives, matched for age and mileage.
What the condition of a car does to its best offer 1,484 cars of every age quoted by up to four buyers, compared inside matched mileage and age groupsShow the numbers
Condition Change in best offer Offers Catalytic converter missing -76% 369 Does not start -48% 869 Sitting at a mechanic -43% 295 Starts but does not drive -31% 653 Dashboard warning light on -29% 1,360 Body damage -21% 818 Broken glass, mirror or light -18% 818 Accident history -15% 1,360 Loan outstanding -11% 617 Interior damage -9% 707 
Use RepairPal to get a fair price range for the repair before you commit. Then check what your car would be offered, and ask more than one buyer: when two or more buyers quoted the same car 10 years and older on the same day, the best and worst offers were $346 apart at the median, and for 45% of cars the best offer was at least double the worst.
The numbers often make the decision obvious.
How far apart the best and worst offer are on the same car 944 cars 10 years and older, each quoted by two or more buyers on the same dayShow the numbers
Best offer against worst Share of cars Offers Within 10% 8.9% 84 10% to 25% apart 10.7% 101 25% to 50% apart 15.9% 150 50% to 100% apart 20.0% 189 Double to triple 18.0% 170 More than triple 26.5% 250
Whether a repair you do now comes back in the offer is its own question: how recent repairs affect the offer covers a car that runs, and the repairs that pay back covers the cheap ones.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive car repair?
Engine replacement is the dearest job most drivers meet, and no publisher prices it; a shop quotes it, in thousands. The dearest job RepairPal does price is the transmission replacement in the list above, followed by a head gasket at $2,572 to $3,386 and a timing chain at $2,120 to $2,764.
Frame straightening after a major collision can also reach five figures on some vehicles, as a body-shop estimate.
How much does an engine repair cost?
There is no national figure: RepairPal publishes no estimate for engine repair, engine replacement or a rebuild, so every engine job is a written estimate from a shop, usually in the thousands.
On an older car that is often more than the car would be offered, which is why the bad engine guide is mostly about selling it as it is.
Does car insurance cover repair costs?
It depends on the type of damage. Collision coverage pays for accident damage to your car.
Comprehensive coverage pays for non-collision damage like hail, theft, or fire. Neither covers normal wear and maintenance like brake pads, oil changes, or a failing alternator.
Article Update History
Repair costs now come from RepairPal national averages, and condition and offer-gap figures from Sell Car Advisor quote data.
Repair cost ranges, labor rates and brand data checked against CarMD's Vehicle Health Index, the PartsTech State of Auto Repair report and BLS data.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Sources
What the condition of a car does to its best offer, Junk Car Value Statistics
"1,484 cars of every age quoted by up to four buyers, compared inside matched mileage and age groups" Accessed Oct. 2, 2026
How far apart the best and worst offer are on the same car, Junk Car Value Statistics
"944 cars 10 years and older, each quoted by two or more buyers on the same day" Accessed Oct. 2, 2026
Junk Car Value Statistics, Sell Car Advisor
"On this page: 3 figures from 17,628 instant cash offers, and 5 figures from same-day quotes by several buyers" Accessed Oct. 2, 2026
"$79 to $99, engine air filter replacement cost; $6,238 to $6,764, transmission replacement cost; $49 to $72, tire rotation cost; $91 to $114, cabin air filter replacement cost; $101 to $123, windshield wiper blade replacement cost; $124 to $173, pCV valve replacement cost; $138 to $150, gas cap replacement cost; $154 to $212, serpentine belt replacement cost; $160 to $188, oil change cost; $181 to $213, headlight bulb replacement cost; $186 to $273, wheel alignment cost; $238 to $320, ignition coil replacement cost; $244 to $315, ignition switch replacement cost; $258 to $322, fuel filter replacement cost; $274 to $381, mass airflow sensor replacement cost; $285 to $369, aC recharge cost; $288 to $399, spark plug replacement cost; $294 to $356, transmission fluid change cost; $307 to $452, suspension ball joint replacement cost; $335 to $394, brake pad replacement cost; $346 to $504, wheel bearing replacement cost; $417 to $596, exhaust manifold gasket replacement cost; $440 to $523, oxygen sensor replacement cost; $489 to $632, eGR valve replacement cost; $498 to $558, radiator hose replacement cost; $565 to $796, starter replacement cost; $574 to $698, brake rotor replacement cost; $616 to $716, thermostat replacement cost; $758 to $925, coil spring replacement cost; $768 to $953, fuel injector replacement cost; $791 to $909, control arm replacement cost; $809 to $1,088, alternator replacement cost; $891 to $1,135, water pump replacement cost; $898 to $968, brake caliper replacement cost; $918 to $1,338, timing belt replacement cost; $1,081 to $1,463, aC compressor replacement cost; $1,122 to $1,192, engine control module (ECU) replacement cost; $1,138 to $1,190, muffler replacement cost; $1,144 to $1,348, shock or strut replacement cost; $1,344 to $1,513, fuel pump replacement cost; $1,368 to $1,550, radiator replacement cost; $1,514 to $1,724, exhaust manifold replacement cost; $1,630 to $2,047, clutch replacement cost; $2,120 to $2,764, timing chain replacement cost; $2,280 to $2,480, catalytic converter replacement cost; $2,572 to $3,386, head gasket replacement cost" Accessed Sep. 21, 2026
"60% higher than in January 2019, car repair costs since 2019, consumer price index" Accessed Sep. 22, 2026
"$415, average check engine light repair, parts and labor" Accessed Sep. 22, 2026
