How Much Will a Car Air Filter Replacement Cost?

Last Updated on January 16, 2026

Most vehicles have two different air filters: an engine air filter (protects the engine) and a cabin air filter (cleans the air that flows through your heating and A/C vents).

Typical total cost at a shop: many drivers pay under $150 per filter, but pricing can climb on luxury vehicles or models with hard-to-reach filter housings. As of late 2025, RepairPal estimates average shop totals around $69–$99 for an engine air filter and $78–$115 for a cabin air filter (parts + labor, before local taxes/fees). Source: RepairPal (engine air filter) | Source: RepairPal (cabin air filter)

If you replace the filter yourself, you’ll usually pay only for the part—often $15–$50 depending on the filter type, brand, and your vehicle.

Key Takeaways

1. Two Filters, Two Jobs: Cabin filters clean HVAC air for passengers, while engine filters protect intake air going into the engine.
2. Most Shop Replacements Stay Under $150 Each: Many drivers pay less than $150 per filter, but labor and access can push costs higher.
3. DIY Usually Cuts The Bill Fast: If the filter is easy to reach, DIY often means paying only for the part.
4. Follow Your Manual, Not A One-Size Rule: Replacement intervals vary by vehicle and driving conditions—inspect more often in dust, smoke, or heavy traffic.

Cabin vs. Engine Air Filter Costs at a Glance

Note: Costs vary by region, vehicle design, and shop rates. Some shops charge minimal labor, while others bill a flat “service” amount even though the part is inexpensive.

What Affects the Total Price?

• Your make/model: Some cabin filters are behind the glove box; others require removing trim panels or more disassembly.
• Filter type: Basic paper filters usually cost less than activated carbon/charcoal filters or reusable “performance” filters.
• OEM vs. aftermarket: OEM-branded parts can be more expensive than quality aftermarket equivalents.
• Labor rates in your area: Higher-cost metros typically mean higher labor charges.
• Bundling with other service: Filters are often suggested during routine maintenance (like an oil change), which can reduce the hassle of a separate appointment. If you’re timing maintenance by an oil-life monitor, see when to change your oil based on oil life percentage.

Types of Car Air Filters

Most passenger vehicles use two main air filters:

• Cabin air filter: cleans air flowing through the HVAC system and into the cabin. A clogged cabin filter can contribute to musty odors and weaker airflow through vents. (Related: how car insurance relates to A/C problems.)
• Engine air filter: filters air entering the engine’s intake system. Dirty filters can restrict airflow and may reduce performance, especially under acceleration.

When to Replace Each Filter

Your owner’s manual is the best source for the exact interval. Driving conditions matter, too—dusty roads, wildfire smoke, heavy traffic, and construction zones can load filters faster.

Cabin Air Filter

Many maintenance schedules call for cabin filter replacement around 15,000–30,000 miles or roughly every 1–2 years. If you notice reduced vent airflow, persistent odors, or more dust inside the cabin, it may be due. For a helpful overview, see CARFAX’s guide: How often to change a cabin air filter.

Engine Air Filter

Engine air filter timing varies a lot by automaker and environment. Some schedules call for replacement around 15,000 miles; others extend to 30,000 miles or longer (and many recommend inspection first). CARFAX also notes that modern engines may see more performance impact than MPG impact from a clogged filter and points to a U.S. DOE/Oak Ridge study: DOE fact sheet on air filters and fuel economy and CARFAX engine air filter guide.

As a practical habit, AAA advises inspecting the engine air filter at oil changes and replacing it sooner in dusty conditions. AAA air filter maintenance guide

DIY vs. Shop Replacement

DIY replacement is usually straightforward if the filter is easy to access—and it can dramatically reduce the total cost because you’re paying only for the part. That said, some cabin filters are genuinely inconvenient to reach, and some engine bays are tight.

Shop replacement can make sense when (1) access is complicated, (2) you want the work documented for maintenance records, or (3) the shop is already doing service and charges minimal additional labor.

Does Car Insurance Pay for Air Filter Replacement?

In most cases, no. Air filter replacement is considered routine maintenance, similar to an oil change, and it typically isn’t covered by auto insurance. (More context: will auto insurance pay for an oil change?)

However, if your vehicle suffers a covered loss (like a crash or certain types of sudden damage) that affects intake components, that’s a different situation—coverage depends on the policy, the cause of loss, and what was damaged. Maintenance items themselves are still usually excluded.

Bottom Line

Plan on roughly $70–$120 per filter at many shops (often higher at dealers or on hard-to-service vehicles). If you’re comfortable doing basic DIY, you can often replace the cabin and/or engine air filter for the cost of the part—commonly $15–$50—and save on labor.

For the best timing, follow your owner’s manual, inspect more often in dusty or smoky conditions, and get a couple of quotes if a shop’s filter pricing feels out of line.

FAQs on Car Air Filter Replacement Cost