How Much Does It Cost to Repair or Replace Transmission?
Last Updated on March 11, 2022
A vehicle’s transmission is one of its most important components. It’s also one of the most complex components.
On average, it costs $1,000 to $3,400 to repair or replace a transmission. Transmission replacement is one of the most expensive types of vehicle repairs.
How much does it cost to repair or replace a transmission? What’s the average cost of transmission repairs? Keep reading to discover everything you need to know about repairing or replacing a transmission.
It Costs $1,000 to $3,400 to Repair or Replace a Transmission
According to our research, it costs $1,000 to $3,400 to repair or replace a transmission in 2022.
The cost of transmission repair varies based on your vehicle make and model, the cost of repairs in your area, and other factors.
The cost also varies based on whether you’re repairing or replacing a vehicle’s transmission. You could save money using an older vehicle’s transmission, for example. Or, you could pay a premium for a brand new transmission:
- Used or Salvage Transmissions: $900 to $1,750
- Rebuilt Transmissions: $1,250 to $3,100
- Remanufactured Transmissions: $1,450 to $3,800
You also need to factor the cost of labor. Expect to pay $600 to $1,500 in labor costs for replacing a transmission, or 5 to 12 hours of labor time.
What Is a Transmission?
The transmission is one of the most complex and essential parts of a vehicle.
The transmission ensures the right amount of power goes to your wheels to drive at a specific speed. To do that, the transmission shifts gears – similar to how you shift gears on a bicycle.
In an automatic vehicle, automatic transmissions shift gears without driver input. In a manual vehicle, the driver shifts gears manually.
How to Save Money on Transmission Repairs or Replacements
Transmission repairs are expensive. Transmissions are complex, and transmission repairs are one of the most expensive types of repairs for a vehicle.
However, there are ways to save money on transmission repairs or replacements, including:
Buy a Remanufactured Transmission Yourself: Repair shops buy transmissions, then mark them up for customers. If you buy your own remanufactured transmission or find another transmission, you can avoid the markup from the repair shop.
Compare Costs with Multiple Shops: Transmission repairs and replacements are expensive. Costs can also vary widely even within a city. Some shops could charge $3,000, while others charge $2,000 for the same repairs.
Practice Good Maintenance: Good maintenance can protect against future transmission repairs and replacements. Follow your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule and get regular oil changes and checkups to avoid costly future headaches.
Factors that Affect the Cost of Transmission Repairs and Replacements
You could pay $1,000 to $3,400 to repair or replace a transmission. Certain factors affect the cost, including:
Vehicle Make and Model: Generally, it’s cheaper to repair basic domestic vehicles than foreign cars. An exotic vehicle’s transmission could cost 10x as much to repair as a basic domestic vehicle’s transmission. Check out our list of vehicles with low repair costs here.
Extent of Damage: If your vehicle has been well-maintained, then it may be cheaper to repair the transmission than it would be on a vehicle with extensive damage.
Age and Rarity of Vehicle: It may be easy to find a replacement transmission for a basic domestic vehicle. There could be many such vehicles in your area. However, if you have an older or rarer vehicle, it could cost more to repair.
Manual vs. Automatic: Manual transmissions tend to be cheaper to repair than automatic transmissions. They’re less complex.
Local Cost of Living and Shop-Specific Factors: Some areas of higher costs of living than others. Some repair shops charge a premium for premium repairs. Location-specific factors could affect the cost of transmission repairs.
Signs You Need to Repair or Replace a Transmission
Do you need to repair or replace your transmission? Signs you need to repair or replace a transmission include:
Slipping Between Gears: Does your transmission slip between gears while driving? Does it pop back to neutral occasionally? Slipping between gears could be a sign you need to repair or replace your transmission.
Grinding, Clunking, Humming, and Other Odd Noises: Transmissions may make grinding, clunking, or humming noises when they need repairs or replacements. Listen for these sounds, particularly in neutral, to avoid further damage to your transmission.
Strange Smells: If your vehicle has a burnt fluid smell, you may need to repair or replace the transmission.
Dragging Clutch: Does your clutch drag? A dragging clutch stays engaged, leading to grinding noises when you try to shift.
Unusual Gear Shift Changes, Sounds, or Symptoms: If you experience higher than normal RPMs when changing or shifting gears, or if there’s any type of lag or delay when shifting, then it could be a sign of transmission problems.
Sometimes, it’s easier to spot these symptoms on manual vehicles than automatic vehicles. However, if you experience these symptoms on any type of vehicle, it’s a sign you may need transmission repairs or replacements.
How to Avoid Future Transmission Problems
Transmissions are expensive to repair or replace. The best way to avoid high costs is to practice good maintenance habits.
Follow your vehicle’s recommended maintenance schedule. Get regular oil changes. Get a regular inspection to ensure you’re not missing major maintenance concerns.
Find a trusted, local repair shop. That repair shop can identify transmission problems before they get serious.
Sometimes, you can avoid future transmission problems by replacing parts today. Replacing CV joints and boots and clutches, for example, can help you avoid thousands of dollars in transmission repair or replacement costs in the future.
Does Warranty Cover Transmission Repairs or Replacements?
If your vehicle is under warranty, then that warranty should cover transmission repairs and replacements.
It’s rare for a vehicle’s transmission to fail during the standard warranty period. However, it can occur.
If you did not follow your vehicle’s maintenance schedule, then your manufacturer could deny your warranty claim. You must follow the maintenance schedule to maintain your vehicle’s warranty. Otherwise, your warranty could be void, which means it does not cover transmission repairs or other problems with your vehicle.
Does Insurance Cover Transmission Repairs or Replacements?
Insurance does not cover transmission repairs or replacements. Auto insurance covers unexpected vehicle expenses, including accidents and fire damage. It does not cover maintenance, wear and tear, and issues like transmission repairs and replacements.
However, if your vehicle’s transmission was damaged in a fire, flood, accident, or another type of covered loss, you could make an insurance claim for repairs or replacements.
Contact your insurer if you’re unsure how your policy covers transmission repairs and replacements.
Final Word – Transmission Repair Cost
A full transmission replacement is one of the most expensive types of vehicle repairs.
On average, it costs $1,100 to $3,400 to repair or replace a vehicle’s transmission. Costs vary based on vehicle make and model and the types of repairs or replacements required.
To learn how much it costs to repair or replace a transmission in your area, contact local repair shops and request an estimate.
