Timing Belt Replacement Cost
Expect to pay between $884 and $1,284 to replace your timing belt
+2 more
Your timing belt makes sure the different parts of your engine move in sync, and if it starts to fail, you’ll want to replace it as soon as possible. But what will that cost? Will your warranty help? And is it true that you typically have to replace your water pump and your timing belt at the same time?
Total timing belt replacement costs are usually between $884 and $1,284. The parts are typically priced between $300 and $427, and labor costs range from $584 to $858. On the higher end, Andrianna in Florida told us it cost $1,473 to fix her car’s timing belt cover, and Paul in Washington said it cost about $1,500 to replace his vehicle’s timing belt.
The make and model of your car greatly impacts the overall cost of timing belt replacement. On the low end, the estimated timing belt replacement cost on a 2005 Honda Civic can be as low as just under $430. But replacing the timing belt on a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta could cost more than $2,000.
Timing belts usually cost around $1,000 to replace, but like almost any car repair, your bill will depend on what you drive.
Jump to insightYour powertrain warranty may cover the cost of timing belt replacement if your vehicle is only a few years old.
Jump to insightSome mechanics recommend replacing other belt-driven components at the same time you replace your timing belt to save on labor costs, but that isn’t always necessary.
Jump to insightHow much does it cost to replace a timing belt?
As you might expect, parts tend to be more expensive for luxury vehicles, and the difficulty of accessing your vehicle’s timing belt can have a huge impact on your overall cost. To illustrate, here are some RepairPal timing belt replacement cost estimates for a selection of vehicles.
Timing belt replacement costs by vehicle
| Vehicle | Average parts cost | Average labor cost | Average total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Honda Civic | $95 to $204 | $329 to $483 | $424 to $687 |
| 2006 Volvo S80 | $416 to $439 | $256 to $376 | $672 to $815 |
| 2008 Lexus RX400h | $179 to $191 | $281 to $412 | $459 to $603 |
| 2003 Toyota 4Runner | $427 to $712 | $427 to $627 | $854 to $1,339 |
| 2016 Volkswagen Jetta | $876 to $898 | $805 to $1,181 | $1,681 to $2,079 |
Timing belt vs. timing chain: What’s the difference?
Timing belts and timing chains basically perform the same job — ensuring a variety of components in your engine are running in sync — but they differ in their location and the materials they’re made of. Your vehicle might have either a timing belt or a timing chain.
A timing chain is made of metal and is typically housed inside of the engine. Timing belts are typically located outside the engine block, making them more accessible than timing chains.
Signs of a bad timing belt
When your engine runs rough, emits a rhythmic “ticking” sound or simply won’t start at all, it might be time for a new timing belt. Those symptoms could mean different things, however, so it’s always best to let your mechanic tell you what’s wrong.
Timing belts tend to last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles
If the timing belt breaks completely, your engine likely won’t turn over at all. You might hear the starter engage, but the engine won’t crank because the camshaft isn’t rotating. When your engine’s timing is off, it can lead to reduced power, sluggish performance, or difficulty accelerating, especially when you’re driving uphill or merging onto highways.
Are timing belt replacements covered under warranty?
The most basic powertrain warranties usually cover timing belts because they’re essential for making your vehicle move. If your vehicle is under five years old and has fewer than 60,000 miles on the odometer, there’s a good chance that you’re still covered under your manufacturer’s warranty (even if you’re not the original owner).
Your warranty may not cover a timing belt replacement if it’s considered preventive maintenance.
When it comes to extended car warranties, many providers include timing belt coverage in their base-level plans, but not all of them do.
Even if your extended warranty covers timing belts, it still won’t cover preexisting conditions. That means you have to sign up before your timing belt starts causing problems. Warranties also won’t cover repairs needed due to:
- Damage from collisions, weather, animals, vandalism or other causes
- Abuse or misuse, such as racing, off-roading or towing too much
- Neglect, such as leaving your car to sit for months or failing to stick with the routine maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual
Think of it like this: If you’ve been keeping up with regular maintenance and your timing belt still fails for seemingly no reason at all, it’s more likely to be covered under warranty.
» SEE IF YOU’RE COVERED: Car warranty check by VIN
FAQ
What does a timing belt do?
As its name implies, a timing belt ensures that multiple engine components (including your crankshaft, camshaft and water pump) all work in sync. You can think of it as the conductor to your engine’s orchestra.
When should you replace your timing belt?
In general, timing belts tend to last between 60,000 and 100,000 miles. However, you should listen to your mechanic’s recommendations about replacing it if you’re lucky enough to have a technician you trust.
» RELATED: Timing chain replacement cost
What happens when a timing belt breaks?
When a timing belt breaks or snaps, there’s nothing to synchronize your engine’s critical components. As a result, multiple parts of your engine can essentially crash into one another, risking instant and catastrophic engine failure.
That’s why it’s smart to get to a trusted mechanic ASAP if your engine is giving any telltale signs of a failing belt.
Do I have to replace my timing belt and water pump at the same time?
When you replace your timing belt, your automotive technician might recommend replacing your water pump and other components along with it.
The reason many mechanics recommend replacing these parts at the same time is that many of them tend to have similar life spans. In other words, if your belt is failing at 80,000 miles, your water pump might be on its way out, too.
While you certainly can replace your timing belt and water pump separately, replacing them at the same time could save you around $400 in labor costs. Your mechanic has to dig pretty deep to replace your timing belt or your water pump, “and we might as well replace both while we’re in there,” said Sean Kim, an experienced Atlanta-area mechanic.
That being said, any time a shop insists that you have to replace multiple parts at once, it’s best to get a second opinion before paying. Kim said, “I’d always check for validity unless it's a reputable shop that you're familiar with.”
» MORE: 10 most expensive car repairs
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
- RepairPal, Inc., "Timing Belt Replacement Cost Estimate." Accessed Jan. 5, 2026.
