How much does a transmission cost?

How much does it cost to replace a transmission?

Here’s the bad news — if you need to replace your transmission, it’s not going to be cheap. But exactly how much it will cost depends on your vehicle.

“Four-speed transmissions are going to run between $3,000 and $4,000. If it's a six-speed, you're probably looking at between $4,000 and $5,000. And if it's an eight- or 10-speed, I mean, it could run upwards of $8,000 or $9,000,” said Steve Sargent, the owner of a Mr. Transmission franchise in Cary, North Carolina.

(If you don’t know how many speeds your vehicle’s transmission has, it shouldn’t take more than a quick Google search to find out.)

We also gathered estimates for replacing the transmissions in three sample vehicles in Austin, Texas, to help give you an idea of what a replacement might cost you.

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What determines transmission replacement costs?

There’s a lot that can affect how much your transmission replacement costs. For example, Sargent mentioned that front-wheel drive cars (like most compact cars and minivans) usually require more labor during a transmission replacement than rear-wheel drive cars (like most trucks and sports cars).

European luxury cars, like our sample BMW above, also tend to require extra labor. “When you get into the Euro cars, the number can get pretty big. … There’s so much you have to take off to get to what you want to get to it. That's where the labor is. [The] exhaust has to come out. All these under panels have to come off. And so there's a lot of things in your way,” Sargent said.

Newer, higher-end vehicles often require more expensive parts, while cheaper vehicles usually have lower parts costs. (If you have a luxury car, you may be able to save money if the manufacturer also makes cheaper models with compatible parts, though.)

Talk to your mechanic to see what kinds of replacement transmissions they recommend.

Transmission prices also depend on where you’re getting your transmission from. The estimates above are in line with what you can expect when buying a new transmission from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).

However, you can usually save money by choosing a remanufactured or salvaged transmission. Going with a used replacement can be risky, depending on how the seller warrants its products, but it’s an option you should at least be aware of.

What are your other options?

Here’s the good news: Some mechanics will recommend replacing a transmission simply because they don’t have the expertise needed to do anything else. Dedicated transmission specialists might be able to provide other solutions for you, though, and they can even save you money.

“The one kind of underlying theme for everybody that comes in here is that it's the black box that none of the other general repair shops want to touch,” said Sargent. He said that about half of the transmission issues his shop sees are repairable.

“If your general repair person gives you an opinion, I would have a transmission person double-check to make sure. And the worst case is you find out that they were right.”

How much does it cost to rebuild a transmission?

Rebuilding a transmission tends to cost less than a full replacement, but what you’ll pay still depends on your vehicle. Sargent told us you should expect to pay $2,000 to $3,500 for a rebuild on a simpler, four-speed transmission — with prices usually going up from there.

A rebuild is an overhaul for your transmission that involves disassembling, cleaning, inspecting and refurbishing the entire unit.

However, he also mentioned that costs vary significantly depending on what went wrong with your transmission. “If it is mechanical failure, the costs are fairly low. So it goes along with the ‘four-speed/six-speed’ type thing. The four-speeds are cheaper than six-speeds,” said Sargent. “And older transmissions are cheaper than newer transmissions.”

Sargent went on to explain that some newer transmissions have electronic components that can make rebuilds more expensive because they’re integrated into larger systems. “A $50 sensor that can be replaced on an old transmission is now going to be probably $600 or $700 of a solenoid pack, which is the whole electronic piece. They've all gone in that direction.”

How much does transmission repair cost?

Depending on the extent of your vehicle's transmission problems, repair can be a viable alternative to a full rebuild or replacement. (Your mechanic should check for issues that can be fixed easily before undertaking any more serious corrective measures.) However, transmission repair costs are hard to estimate since there's so much variety in the types of repairs you may need.

The solution could be as simple as adding fluids, a transmission fluid change or a transmission flush. Other minor repairs might cost you several hundred dollars, but that’s still much more affordable than a replacement or rebuild.

“We like to be the hero rather than telling you you need a transmission,” said Sargent. “I'd rather fix it for $300 to $400 and make a customer for life.”

Remember, your average mechanic may not know enough about transmissions to identify simple fixes. Reach out to a shop that specializes in transmissions before you assume repair isn’t an option.

Sargent mentioned faulty range sensors and speed sensors as common problems that cost under $500 to fix, and some transmissions may only require a software update to start running smoothly again. (If you’re wondering, your range sensor tells your car’s computer what gear you’ve selected, and your input and output speed sensors tell the computer if your transmission is slipping.)

The potential problem with minor repairs is that they might not solve the underlying issue that caused them, leaving you with more extensive problems down the road. (Adding fluid may help for the time being, but it won’t fix the potential leak that caused the issue in the first place.) Talk to your mechanic about whatever issues they identify, and ask if there are any root problems that need to be addressed.

Is it worth rebuilding or replacing a transmission?

A transmission is one of the most expensive parts to fix on most vehicles, and whether you need minor repairs, a rebuilt transmission or a full replacement should be determined by a trained mechanic. Sometimes, you might actually be better off cutting your losses and buying a new car.

• If you have a vehicle that’s not worth much, rebuilding or replacing the transmission may not be worth it.
• If you have a newer vehicle with relatively low mileage, even an expensive transmission replacement can be a good long-term investment.

Whatever your situation, balance the cost of fixing your transmission with the value of your vehicle to make a smart decision.

Sargent advised people to think about their car’s overall condition before committing to repairs. “We see people put a lot of money into things that I wouldn't myself advise them to do,” he said.

“I tell him that I wouldn't put this money in this transmission because you have engine issues, the car needs tires. … And sometimes we end up with those cars in our lot because people walk away from them because the numbers just get out of control. … We want to advise the customer, ‘You know, maybe this isn't the best use of your money. Maybe there's something else that you need to do.’”

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