Transmission Replacement Cost by Vehicle
These ranges are for a remanufactured automatic transmission installed at an independent shop, which is the most common choice. A brand-new unit from the dealer usually costs 40% to 80% more. They are estimates for common model years and engines.
| Vehicle | Reman unit (parts) | Labor | Total installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ford F-150 (10-speed) | $3,300 – $4,800 | $1,100 – $1,900 | $4,400 – $6,700 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $3,300 – $4,800 | $1,100 – $1,900 | $4,400 – $6,700 |
| Toyota Camry | $2,300 – $3,600 | $900 – $1,500 | $3,200 – $5,100 |
| Toyota RAV4 | $2,400 – $3,700 | $1,000 – $1,600 | $3,400 – $5,300 |
| Honda Civic (CVT) | $2,300 – $3,500 | $900 – $1,400 | $3,200 – $4,900 |
| Honda Accord | $2,500 – $3,800 | $900 – $1,500 | $3,400 – $5,300 |
| Honda CR-V (CVT) | $2,500 – $3,800 | $1,000 – $1,600 | $3,500 – $5,400 |
| Nissan Altima (CVT) | $2,300 – $3,600 | $900 – $1,400 | $3,200 – $5,000 |
| Nissan Rogue (CVT) | $2,400 – $3,700 | $1,000 – $1,600 | $3,400 – $5,300 |
| Chevrolet Equinox | $2,200 – $3,400 | $900 – $1,500 | $3,100 – $4,900 |
| Jeep Wrangler (8-speed) | $3,000 – $4,400 | $1,100 – $1,800 | $4,100 – $6,200 |
| Jeep Grand Cherokee (8-speed) | $3,000 – $4,400 | $1,100 – $1,800 | $4,100 – $6,200 |
| BMW 3 Series (8-speed) | $4,200 – $6,500 | $1,400 – $2,300 | $5,600 – $8,800 |
For comparison, ConsumerAffairs reported sample dealer-level quotes of $6,216 to $6,810 for a 2018 Honda Civic and $10,750 to $15,285 for a 2015 BMW X3, which reflects new OEM units at full labor rates. Tesla and other EVs use a single-speed drive unit instead of a transmission, and those are priced separately.
Cost Breakdown: Parts vs. Labor
Unlike most repairs, the part is the biggest line on a transmission replacement. RepairPal puts the national average for a new unit at $6,238 to $6,764, with parts around $5,110 and labor between $1,127 and $1,654. That labor figure reflects roughly 6 to 12 hours of work at typical shop rates of about $110 to $150 an hour at independents.
New vs. remanufactured vs. rebuilt vs. used
| Option | Typical installed cost | Typical warranty | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used / salvage | $1,200 – $2,500 | 30 days to 6 months, often parts only | Older, low-value cars |
| Rebuilt (local shop) | $2,500 – $4,000 | Often 12 months / 12,000 miles | Common transmissions with a trusted local shop |
| Remanufactured | $3,000 – $5,000 | Often 3 years, nationwide, parts and labor | Most daily drivers you plan to keep |
| New OEM | $5,000 – $8,000+ | Manufacturer parts warranty | Newer or high-value vehicles, warranty work |
A used unit looks cheapest, but its history is unknown and most used-part warranties do not cover labor. If it fails, you pay installation labor a second time. A remanufactured unit is rebuilt in a factory to a standard spec with updated parts, which is why it commonly carries the longest warranty.
Dealer vs. independent vs. DIY
| Where | Midsize car, reman unit |
|---|---|
| Independent or transmission shop | $3,000 – $5,000 |
| Dealer | $3,750 – $6,250 (more with a new OEM unit) |
| DIY (unit only, you install) | $2,100 – $3,500 plus tools and fluid |
What Affects Transmission Replacement Cost
Transmission type
ConsumerAffairs reports that four-speed units cost around $3,000 to $4,000 to replace, six-speeds $4,000 to $5,000, and eight- to ten-speeds $8,000 to $9,000 or more. More gears means more parts and more expensive units.
CVT replacement cost
CVTs are rarely rebuilt, so replacement is the usual fix. Reported CVT replacement ranges run about $3,500 to $8,000 for Nissan, $3,000 to $8,000 for Honda and $7,500 to $8,600 for Subaru when using new units. A remanufactured CVT at an independent shop usually lands toward the lower end. Some manufacturers have extended CVT warranty coverage on certain model years, so call a dealer with your VIN before paying out of pocket.
Drivetrain and vehicle size
Four-wheel drive trucks and all-wheel-drive SUVs take longer to remove the transmission because of the transfer case and extra driveshafts. Luxury and European models add both higher unit prices and longer labor times.
Programming and related parts
Many modern transmissions must be programmed to the car after installation, and shops commonly recommend flushing or replacing the cooler so debris from the old unit does not ruin the new one. Mounts, axle seals and a leaking CV axle are easy to replace while everything is apart.
Region
Labor rates are highest in the Northeast and on the West Coast and lowest in the South and Midwest. Use the region selector in the estimator above to adjust.
What a good quote should include
- The exact unit type (used, rebuilt, remanufactured or new) and who supplies it.
- Labor hours and the shop’s hourly rate.
- Transmission fluid, cooler flush and any programming fees.
- Warranty length, mileage limit, whether labor is covered and whether it is honored nationwide.
- Any core charge, which is refunded when the old transmission is returned.
If two quotes differ by more than $1,000, the difference is usually the type of unit or the warranty, not the labor.
Symptoms You Need a New Transmission
- Severe slipping, or the car will not move in Drive or Reverse.
- Metal debris in the fluid or on the pan magnet, reported by the shop.
- Loud grinding, whining or clunking that changes with gear.
- Repeated limp mode even after a solenoid or fluid repair.
- A shop quote showing multiple failed internal parts (clutch packs, planetary gears, pump).
Not every failing transmission needs a full replacement. Codes that point to a single solenoid, a sensor or low fluid can be fixed for far less. See our transmission repair cost guide for those prices.
Can You Drive With a Failing Transmission?
If the car still shifts normally most of the time, a short, careful drive to a shop is usually acceptable. Stop driving and tow the car if it slips badly, drops out of gear, will not engage Reverse, or smells of burnt fluid. A transmission that loses drive while merging or crossing an intersection is a genuine safety hazard, and continuing to drive can destroy a unit that might otherwise have been rebuildable.
DIY vs. Taking It to a Shop
Difficulty: 5 out of 5. Swapping a transmission requires a lift or safe support, a transmission jack, a full set of sockets and a torque wrench, and often a scan tool for programming. Expect 8 to 15 hours for an experienced home mechanic on a front-wheel-drive car, more on AWD. The unit can weigh well over 100 pounds.
A middle path is to buy the remanufactured unit yourself and ask an independent shop to install it. Many shops will do this, though some will not warranty their labor on customer-supplied parts. Ask first.
Is It Worth Replacing the Transmission?
Compare the installed price with the car’s value and condition. If a $4,000 remanufactured transmission goes into a car worth $10,000 that is otherwise healthy, it usually makes financial sense, since the car gets a fresh drivetrain with a multi-year warranty. If the car is worth $3,000, has high mileage and other issues on the horizon, selling it as-is or putting in a used unit may be the smarter move. A car with a failed transmission typically sells for well below its running value, so factor that in.
How to Save Money on a Transmission Replacement
- Check warranty and recalls first. Powertrain warranties and extended coverage programs can cover the whole job.
- Get quotes for all three options: used, rebuilt and remanufactured, with warranty terms in writing.
- Use an independent transmission shop rather than a dealer for out-of-warranty work.
- Ask whether the warranty covers labor and whether it is honored nationwide.
- Buy a used unit with low, documented mileage from a salvage yard that offers at least a 6-month warranty if you go that route.
- Replace wear items while it is out: rear main seal, mounts, and on manual cars the clutch. See clutch replacement cost.
See how we estimate costs for our methodology.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a new transmission cost?
A brand-new OEM transmission installed typically costs $5,000 to $8,000, and RepairPal puts the national average at $6,238 to $6,764. Trucks with 10-speed automatics and European luxury cars can exceed $10,000. Most owners choose a remanufactured unit instead, at about $3,000 to $5,000.
Is a remanufactured transmission as good as new?
A quality remanufactured transmission is rebuilt in a factory to a set specification, with worn parts replaced and known failure points updated. Many carry multi-year nationwide warranties that include labor. For most daily drivers it is the best value.
How much does it cost to replace a CVT transmission?
Reported CVT replacement costs run about $3,000 to $8,000 depending on the brand and whether the unit is new or remanufactured, with Subaru units toward the top of that range. Check for extended warranty coverage on your model year before paying.
Is a used transmission worth it?
A used transmission is the cheapest option, often $1,200 to $2,500 installed, and it can make sense on an older, low-value car. The risks are an unknown history and a short warranty that frequently excludes labor, so a failure means paying installation twice.
How long does it take to replace a transmission?
Most shops need 1 to 3 days, including removal, installation, programming and a road test. Labor time is typically 6 to 12 hours, longer on AWD and 4WD vehicles. Parts availability for the replacement unit is often the biggest delay.
Should I replace the transmission or buy a new car?
If the car is otherwise reliable and worth well more than the repair, replacing the transmission is usually cheaper than a new car payment. If the car is worth less than the repair or has other major issues coming, selling it as-is often makes more sense.
- RepairPal — Transmission replacement cost estimate
- ConsumerAffairs — How much does a transmission cost?
- Endurance — How much does a transmission replacement cost?
- Transmission Repair Cost Guide — Used transmissions
- The Lemon Law Experts — CVT transmission replacement cost
- Bumper — Transmission repair cost
