How much does it cost to replace a timing belt?
Several variables can affect what you’ll pay for a timing belt replacement, including:
- OEM vs. aftermarket parts: Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are made by the same company that built your car, so they’re designed to fit perfectly. However, aftermarket parts often cost 20% to 50% less. Using an aftermarket timing belt kit can lower your parts cost, but it could also void your factory warranty, so tread carefully.
- Dealership vs. independent shop: The hourly rate for labor may be higher at a dealership, since you’ll be getting a certified mechanic with specialized experience working on your specific vehicle. A dealership should only use OEM parts, which can also raise your overall estimate.
- Location: Regional labor rates may be higher or lower than the national average depending on your state and ZIP code. In most cases, bigger cities with a higher cost of living will have a higher labor rate than rural areas.
One of the most important predictors of timing belt replacement costs is what kind of car you drive. 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
The table below depicts average parts and labor costs for timing belts in select vehicles. Keep in mind that these are only estimates, and the price you pay may vary.
| Vehicle | Average parts cost | Average labor cost | Average total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Honda Civic | $95 to $206 | $329 to $483 | $424 to $689 |
| 2006 Volvo S80 | $432 to $469 | $256 to $376 | $689 to $844 |
| 2008 Lexus RX400h | $425 to $510 | $334 to $491 | $760 to $1,000 |
| 2003 Toyota 4Runner | $431 to $727 | $427 to $627 | $858 to $1,354 |
| 2016 Volkswagen Jetta | $888 to $915 | $805 to $1,181 | $1,693 to $2,096 |
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 the engine. Timing belts are typically located outside the engine block, making them more accessible than timing chains.
Timing belt vs. timing chain replacement cost
A timing belt is composed of rubber that eventually degrades with time and use, but since a timing chain is metal, it is designed to last throughout the lifetime of your engine under normal use. Because it’s so robust, there’s often no specific recommended service interval for a timing chain — but when a timing chain does fail, it can be substantially more expensive to replace than a timing belt.
Whereas a timing belt replacement averages around $1,000, RepairPal notes that a timing chain replacement typically ranges from about $2,100 to $2,750. Parts tend to cost about $800, but it’s labor that really drives the price up; since accessing the timing chain requires significant engine disassembly, it’s a much more labor-intensive procedure. Labor costs for this service average $1,329 to $1,951.
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, accident damage, or damage from abuse, misuse or neglect. 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.
The age of your vehicle is also a factor — even if its mileage is low — because the timing belt can degrade over time regardless of how much you drive. It’s wise to check your car’s manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedule and plan for the cost of a timing belt replacement based on either mileage or number of years, whichever comes first.
» 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. In a tightly designed interference engine — which most modern cars have — a failed timing belt will allow multiple parts of the engine to essentially crash into one another, risking instant and catastrophic engine failure.
Preventive maintenance may save you thousands of dollars down the line. Risking a catastrophic failure could mean that instead of paying $900 to $1,300 to replace the timing belt, you could be looking at $3,000 to $5,000 to replace additional components like the valves and cylinder head — or as much as $10,000 for a complete engine replacement.
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, such as the tensioner and idler pulleys. These parts are usually included in a timing belt kit.
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.
Still, any time a shop insists that you replace multiple parts, it’s best to get a second opinion. 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
Can you replace a timing belt yourself?
It’s usually not a good idea to try a DIY timing belt replacement. While the labor savings may be tempting, this procedure requires specialty tools and significant experience with major engine work. Replacing a timing belt can be expensive, but it’ll cost you less to take your car to a professional mechanic right away than it would to have a pro fix your mistakes.
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, "Timing Belt Replacement Cost Estimate." Accessed Aug. 5, 2026.
- AutoZone, “OEM vs. Aftermarket Car Parts: What’s the Best Choice for Your Vehicle?” Accessed Aug. 5, 2026.
- J.D. Power, “Timing Chain Vs. Timing Belt.” Accessed Aug. 5, 2026.
- RepairPal, "Timing Chain Replacement Cost Estimate." Accessed Aug. 5, 2026.
