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How Much Does Tie Rod Replacement Cost?

Updated October 2026 By RepairCostLab Editorial Team

Expect to pay $120 to $360 at an independent shop for a typical car, and up to $465 at a dealership. Tie rods connect the steering rack to the wheels. A loose one makes the steering feel vague and wears tires quickly, but the part itself is cheap.

Parts$30–$120
Labor$90–$240
Shop time0.8–1.5 hours
DIY difficultyModerate (2/5)

Estimate your cost

Vehicle type Where you'll get it fixed Your area

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Ranges cover aftermarket to OEM parts and typical book labor times. How we calculate this.

Tie Rod Replacement cost by vehicle type

Vehicle	Parts	Labor	Total
Compact / economy car e.g. Civic, Corolla, Elantra	$30–$120	$90–$240	$120–$360
Midsize sedan / crossover e.g. Camry, Accord, RAV4, CR-V	$35–$140	$95–$265	$130–$400
Truck / full-size SUV e.g. F-150, Silverado, Tahoe	$40–$155	$100–$275	$140–$430
Luxury / European e.g. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus	$55–$215	$115–$310	$170–$530

Independent shop, average US labor rates. Per outer tie rod end. Inner tie rods cost a bit more. An alignment ($100–$150) is required afterwards.

Independent shop vs. dealer vs. chain

Where	Hourly rate	Typical total
Independent shop	$110–$160	$130–$400
Chain (Midas, Firestone…)	$120–$175	$140–$425
Dealership	$160–$230	$175–$520

Shown for a midsize sedan or crossover.

What does it do?

Tie rods push and pull the steering knuckles when you turn the wheel.

Signs you need this repair

Loose or vague steering
Front-end shimmy or vibration
Clunk when turning
Rapid wear on the outer edge of front tires
Car fails alignment

Can you do it yourself?

Difficulty: Moderate (2/5). Count the threads when removing the old end to keep the alignment close, then get a professional alignment.

Doing it yourself saves the labor portion, roughly $90–$240, so you would pay only for parts ($30–$120).

Is it worth fixing?

Yes. Tie rods are inexpensive and critical for steering control.

How to save money

Have the alignment done at the same shop to avoid a second labor charge.
Replace inner and outer ends together only if both are worn.

Questions to ask your mechanic

Is it the inner or outer tie rod?
Is the alignment included in the price?
Are the tie rod boots and steering rack in good shape?

Asking for a written, itemized estimate (parts, labor hours and hourly rate) is your right in most states and makes quotes easy to compare.

Frequently asked questions

Is a bad tie rod dangerous?

Yes. A broken tie rod means losing steering on that wheel.

Inner or outer tie rod?

Outer ends wear more often and are cheaper. Inner tie rods sit inside the rack boot.

Do I need an alignment?

Always. Toe settings change when tie rods are replaced.

Related repair costs

Helpful guides

Bad Ball Joint Symptoms: Clunks, Wander and Warning Signs

Sources and methodology

Estimates combine typical book labor times, current aftermarket and OEM parts prices, and 2026 US shop labor rates. See exactly how we calculate them.

Found a price that looks wrong for your area? Tell us: we review every correction.