You’re not alone in thinking that every trip to the car repair shop costs more than it did the last time. Prices for most goods and services continue to creep upward, and the final bill to fix your car isn’t immune to inflation. Consumers now spend an average of $548.32 fixing their cars, according to data from Kelley Blue Book parent company Cox Automotive, which maintains a database of auto repair and replacement costs.
While unplanned auto repairs can make a big dent in your bank account, fixing your car is often less expensive than the monthly payment for a new vehicle. And remember, keeping up with routine maintenance avoids costly repairs and can help keep your car running to 100K miles and beyond.
Fix your car promptly. Never hesitate to get your vehicle to the shop if something just doesn’t seem right or the check engine light prompts you. Car trouble rarely gets better on its own. Below, we list costs for 12 common auto repairs and parts replacements. We’ll also share repair estimates for some of the cars, trucks, and SUVs with the lowest 5-year cost of ownership.
Common Car Repairs and Replacement Services
Kelley Blue Book’s service and repair data come from actual repair orders across all models and all states, and helps predict future costs for similar services. The cost range estimates come from data that doesn’t include repairs or maintenance at independent repair shops or if the vehicle owner bought the parts and did the work themselves.
- Alignment: $164.35 — $192.73
- Alternator replacement: $746.63 — $842.18
- Brake pad and rotor replacement: $532.91 — $612.01
- Evaporative emissions (EVAP) purge control valve replacement: $322.89 — $379.65
- Fuel injector replacement: $1,103.18 — $1,226.21
- Fuel pump replacement: $1,093 — $1,211.87
- Mass air flow sensor replacement: $451.69 — $524
- Power steering pump replacement: $836.81 — $935.65
- Spark plug replacement: $355.77 — $417.07
- Starter replacement: $727.98 — $820.04
- Thermostat replacement: $660.75 — $746.64
- Tire pressure monitoriing sensor replacement: $313.53 — $368.10
Average Repair Costs by Vehicle
The automobiles listed below have the lowest 5-year cost-to-own expenses in their respective categories. Vehicles are model year 2023 unless marked with an asterisk, which indicates 2022 models. Here’s how the cars fare with out-of-pocket repair costs.
Luxury Cars
- Tesla Model 3: $1,296
- Polestar 2*: $1,217
- Audi TT: $1,531
Entry-Level Luxury Cars
- Acura ILX*: $1,114
- Audi A3: $1,605
- Genesis G70*: $710
Luxury Midsize SUV/Crossover
- Lincoln Nautilus: $1,172
- Lexus RX: $1,134
- Acura MDX: $1,211
Sporty Compact Car
- Mini Hardtop 2 Door: $1,426
- Honda Civic*: $1,667
- Subaru WRX: $2,132
High-End Luxury Car
- Tesla Model S: $1,356
- Porsche Taycan*: $860
- Jaguar F-Type*: $1,240
Luxury Sports Car
- Audi S3: $1,822
- Audi TT: $1,531
- Mercedes-AMG CLA: $1,508
Luxury High-Performance Car
- BMW M3*: $1,951
- Porsche Taycan*: $860
- Audi S6: $1,789
Luxury Compact SUV/Crossover
- Buick Envision*: $1,804
- Audi Q4 e-tron*: $2,072
- Tesla Model Y: $1,356
Full-Size Car
- Dodge Charger: $1,846
- Toyota Avalon Hybrid*: $1,773
- Chrysler 300*: $1,846
Midsize SUV/Crossover
- Subaru Outback: $1,768
- Ford Bronco: $2,057
- Subaru Ascent: $1,882
Luxury Full-Size SUV/Crossover
- Jeep Wagoneer: $2,057
- Mercedes-Benz GLS*: $1,623
- Lexus LX: $1,293
Full-Size Pickup Truck
- Ford F-150 Lightning*: $2,149
- Ford F-150 Regular Cab*: $1,833
- Toyota Tundra CrewMax: $1,768
Subcompact Car
- Mitsubishi Mirage*: $658
- Kia Rio: $651
- Hyundai Accent*: $646
Compact Car
- Chevrolet Bolt EV: $3,143
- Mini Hardtop 2-Door: $1,426
- Chevrolet Bolt EUV: $3,143
Midsize Car
- Honda Accord: $1,667
- Toyota Camry Hybrid: $1,726
- Subaru Legacy: $1,758
High-Performance Car
- Dodge Challenger*: $1,820
- Dodge Charger*: $1,846
- Chevrolet Corvette: $2,527
Sports Car
- Subaru BRZ: $1,804
- Ford Mustang: $1,872
- Chevrolet Camaro: $1,872
Compact SUV/Crossover
- Subaru Forester: $1,784
- Kia Sportage Hybrid: $725
- Hyundai Tucson Plug-in Hybrid*: $676
Van
- Ford Transit Connect Cargo Van*: $1,825
- Ford Transit 150 Passenger Van*: $1,825
Minivan
- Ford Transit Connect Passenger Wagon*: $1,825
- Toyota Sienna: $1,680
- Honda Odyssey*: $1,838
Full-Size SUV/Crossover
- Chevrolet Tahoe: $1,817
- Nissan Armada: $1,726
- Ford Expedition: $1,885
Hybrid/Alternative Energy Car
- Toyota Corolla Hybrid: $1,680
- Toyota Prius: $1,773
- Toyota Prius Prime*: $1,773
Electric Vehicle
- Chevrolet Bolt EV: $3,143
- Mini Hardtop 2 Door: $1,426
- Chevrolet Bolt EUV: $3,143
Subcompact SUV/Crossover
- Hyundai Venue: $680
- Subaru Crosstrek: $1,807
- Nissan Kicks: $1,786
Luxury Subcompact SUV/Crossover
- Buick Encore*: $1,919
- Volvo XC40: $1,695
- Lexus UX: $1,311
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FAQ
Does insurance cover car repairs?
Can a car be repaired if airbags are deployed?
Depending on where you live, the severity of the accident, and the insurance claim assessment, it may be eligible for repair. However, it’s important to understand that a vehicle with airbag deployment in its driving history has a significantly lower fair market value.
Who is responsible for repairs on a leased car?
When you lease a car, you’re responsible for all costs associated with issues beyond normal wear and tear. This includes repairs that are deemed “over and above normal.”
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