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How Much Does Transmission Replacement Cost?

Updated October 2026 By RepairCostLab Editorial Team

Expect to pay $2,160 to $5,720 at an independent shop for a typical car, and up to $6,560 at a dealership. Transmission replacement is one of the biggest repair bills you can face. Before committing, know your options: used, rebuilt or remanufactured.

Parts$1,500–$3,800
Labor$660–$1,920
Shop time6–12 hours
DIY difficultyPro only (5/5)

Estimate your cost

Vehicle type Where you'll get it fixed Your area

–estimated total

Parts –

Labor –

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

Transmission Replacement cost by vehicle type

Vehicle	Parts	Labor	Total
Compact / economy car e.g. Civic, Corolla, Elantra	$1,500–$3,800	$660–$1,920	$2,160–$5,720
Midsize sedan / crossover e.g. Camry, Accord, RAV4, CR-V	$1,725–$4,370	$725–$2,110	$2,450–$6,480
Truck / full-size SUV e.g. F-150, Silverado, Tahoe	$1,950–$4,940	$760–$2,210	$2,710–$7,150
Luxury / European e.g. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus	$2,700–$6,840	$860–$2,495	$3,560–$9,335

Independent shop, average US labor rates. Used units at the low end, remanufactured with warranty at the high end. New OEM transmissions can exceed $5,000.

Independent shop vs. dealer vs. chain

Where	Hourly rate	Typical total
Independent shop	$110–$160	$2,450–$6,480
Chain (Midas, Firestone…)	$120–$175	$2,515–$6,680
Dealership	$160–$230	$2,780–$7,405

Shown for a midsize sedan or crossover.

What does it do?

The transmission changes gear ratios so the engine can move the car efficiently at every speed.

Signs you need this repair

Slipping out of gear or high RPM without acceleration
Harsh, delayed or erratic shifts
Burning smell or dark, burnt fluid
Transmission warning light or limp mode
Grinding or whining noises

Can you do it yourself?

Difficulty: Pro only (5/5). Requires a lift, transmission jack and programming on many modern cars.

Doing it yourself saves the labor portion, roughly $660–$1,920, so you would pay only for parts ($1,500–$3,800).

Is it worth fixing?

It depends on the car's value. If the car is worth well over the repair cost and otherwise solid, yes. On an older car, compare against a used transmission or selling the car as-is.

How to save money

Get a proper diagnosis first: a solenoid, sensor or software update can sometimes fix shifting issues for a few hundred dollars.
Compare remanufactured (best warranty), rebuilt (by a local shop) and used (cheapest, riskiest).
Weigh the repair against the car's value.

Questions to ask your mechanic

Could a fluid service, solenoid or software update fix the problem first?
Is the replacement used, rebuilt or remanufactured, and what is the warranty?
Does the price include fluid, cooler flush and programming?

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

Rebuild or replace?

A rebuild by a reputable local shop can cost slightly less; a factory remanufactured unit usually carries a longer warranty.

How long does a transmission last?

Often 150,000 to 200,000 miles with regular fluid changes.

Is it worth replacing the transmission?

If the rest of the car is solid and worth well over the repair cost, usually yes.

Related repair costs

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.