# Engine replacement cost - **Typical cost:** $4,000-$12,000 - **Parts:** $2,500-$8,000 - **Labor:** 10-25 hours - **Dealer:** $7,000-$16,000 ## Quick answer Replacing an engine usually costs $4,000 to $12,000 at an independent shop. A used engine with modest mileage in a common four-cylinder car is at the low end. Remanufactured engines, V6 and V8 trucks, and luxury or turbocharged engines push it toward the high end. Diesel and high-performance engines can cost more than this range. ## What is engine and why does it need replacing? An engine replacement swaps the whole engine, or the long block, for another unit when repairing the original no longer makes sense. A long block includes the block, crankshaft, pistons, cylinder heads and usually the camshafts; the shop moves over the intake, wiring, sensors and accessories from the old engine. A short block is less complete and needs the heads and more parts transferred. Engines are replaced after damage that is too costly to fix: a spun rod bearing that knocks loudly, a seized engine after running out of oil, a hole in the block, or severe overheating that warps or cracks the heads and block. Very high oil consumption or low compression in several cylinders can also tip the balance. Many engines last well beyond 150,000 miles with regular oil changes and a healthy cooling system, so an engine replacement is usually the result of lubrication, overheating or timing component failure rather than age alone. ## How much does engine replacement cost? | | Typical cost | | --- | --- | | Parts | $2,500-$8,000 | | Labor | $1,500-$4,000 (10-25 hours) | | Total at an independent shop | $4,000-$12,000 | | Total at a dealer | $7,000-$16,000 | ## Cost by vehicle type | Vehicle | Typical cost | | --- | --- | | Compact car | $4,000-$7,000 | | Midsize sedan | $4,500-$8,000 | | Small SUV/crossover | $5,000-$9,000 | | Full-size truck/SUV | $6,000-$11,000 | | Luxury/European | $7,000-$12,000 | Ranges are for an independent shop. Expect the high end or more for European luxury makes and dealer service. ## What changes the price? - **Used, remanufactured or new.** A used engine from a salvage yard costs the least but comes with unknown history and a short warranty. Remanufactured engines are rebuilt to specification with longer warranties, and new factory engines from a dealer cost the most. - **Engine type.** Four-cylinder engines are the cheapest to buy and install. V6, V8, turbocharged and hybrid engines cost more as parts and often take more labor, and diesel engines can exceed the top of this range. - **Labor hours.** Most swaps take 10 to 25 hours. Front-wheel-drive cars may require dropping the engine and transmission together from below, and crowded engine bays or all-wheel-drive layouts add time. - **Extra parts and fluids.** A good shop replaces the water pump, thermostat, hoses, mounts, gaskets and filters on install, flushes or replaces the radiator and oil cooler after metal debris, and refills every fluid. These extras can add several hundred dollars. - **Warranty length.** Engines with longer parts and labor warranties cost more but protect against early failure. Read whether the warranty covers labor to remove and reinstall the engine, not just the replacement part. ## What happens during the job? 1. Confirm the failure with a compression or leak-down test, oil analysis or teardown, and compare repair, rebuild and replacement quotes. 2. Source the replacement engine, checking that the engine code, emissions equipment and model years match the vehicle. 3. Drain fluids, disconnect wiring, hoses, exhaust and axles as needed, and remove the old engine, sometimes with the transmission. 4. Transfer intake, sensors and accessories, replace wear items such as the water pump, seals and mounts, and install the new engine. 5. Refill all fluids, prime the oil system, check for leaks and codes, and road-test before returning the vehicle. ## What should a fair quote include? - Diagnosis confirming the engine is not worth repairing - The replacement engine and its warranty - New gaskets, seals, filters and fluids - Transfer or replacement of sensors and accessories - Cooling system flush and test drive after install ## How to pay less for engine replacement - Get a second opinion on the diagnosis; some knocks and misfires come from cheaper problems such as a bad lifter or failed head gasket. - Compare a low-mileage used engine with a warranty against a remanufactured unit, and weigh the warranty length. - Ask an independent shop rather than only the dealer; labor rates and engine sourcing vary widely. - Check whether the failure is covered by a powertrain warranty, a recall or an extended warranty before paying yourself. - Compare the total cost with the car's value; on an older car, selling it as-is and replacing the car can cost less. ## Signs you need it - Loud knocking that rises with engine speed - Metal flakes in the oil or on the drain plug - Low compression in several cylinders - Heavy smoke and severe oil consumption - Engine seized or will not turn over after running without oil or overheating ## Which models get the most engine complaints? | Model | Engine complaints to NHTSA | All complaints | | --- | --- | --- | | [Ford Escape](/vehicles/ford-escape) | 3,905 | 10,274 | | [Chevrolet Silverado](/vehicles/chevrolet-silverado) | 2,167 | 7,658 | | [Kia Soul](/vehicles/kia-soul) | 2,079 | 3,189 | | [Hyundai Sonata](/vehicles/hyundai-sonata) | 2,059 | 4,126 | | [Honda Pilot](/vehicles/honda-pilot) | 1,989 | 5,776 | | [Ford Edge](/vehicles/ford-edge) | 1,944 | 5,306 | | [Hyundai Tucson](/vehicles/hyundai-tucson) | 1,932 | 5,363 | | [Kia Sorento](/vehicles/kia-sorento) | 1,899 | 4,128 | | [GMC Sierra](/vehicles/gmc-sierra) | 1,872 | 5,041 | | [Hyundai Santa Fe](/vehicles/hyundai-santa-fe) | 1,828 | 3,779 | Owner complaints filed with NHTSA in the engine category for 2015-2026 models of 63 popular cars. Counts follow sales as well as reliability, so compare each with the model's total. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much does it cost to replace an engine? Most independent shops charge $4,000 to $12,000 in 2026, and dealers $7,000 to $16,000. A used engine in a common four-cylinder car is at the low end. Remanufactured engines, trucks, V8, turbocharged and luxury engines cost the most, and diesel engines can exceed this range. ### Is it worth replacing the engine in an older car? It depends on the car's value and condition. If the rest of the car, including the transmission, body and suspension, is sound and the car is worth more than the repair, it can make sense. If the replacement costs more than the car is worth, selling or trading it is often better. ### Should I get a used or remanufactured engine? A used engine costs less but has an unknown history and usually a short warranty. A remanufactured engine costs more but is rebuilt to specification with new wear parts and typically a longer warranty. For a car you plan to keep for years, remanufactured is often the safer choice. ### How long does an engine replacement take? Most shops quote 10 to 25 hours of labor, so the car is usually in the shop for several days to two weeks. Sourcing the engine often takes longer than the labor. Front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles and crowded engine bays take longer than many rear-wheel-drive trucks. ### Is rebuilding my engine cheaper than replacing it? Sometimes, but not always. A rebuild of your engine by a machine shop can cost about as much as a remanufactured engine and often takes longer. It makes more sense for rare or specialty engines. For common engines, a remanufactured or used unit is usually quicker and similar in cost. ### What causes an engine to need replacing? The most common causes are oil starvation, overheating and timing failures. Running low on oil can spin a bearing or seize the engine, severe overheating can warp or crack the heads and block, and a broken timing belt on some engines lets valves hit pistons. Regular oil changes prevent most of these. ### Does a replacement engine come with a warranty? Usually, yes, but terms vary widely. Used engines often carry a short parts warranty, while remanufactured engines often come with longer coverage. Check whether labor is covered, what maintenance records are required and whether the warranty is honored at any shop or only the installer. ### Will my car need a smog check after an engine swap? In emissions-testing areas, the replacement engine generally must be the same type or certified for your vehicle, with all emissions equipment in place. After install, the readiness monitors must complete before testing. Some states, such as California, have extra rules for engine changes, so ask the shop. ### Can I drive with a knocking engine? It is not a good idea. A deep knock that rises with engine speed often means a worn rod bearing, and continuing to drive can make the rod break through the block, ending any chance of a cheaper repair. Check the oil level, stop driving and have it diagnosed. ### Does car insurance cover engine replacement? Usually not for wear, neglect or mechanical failure. Insurance may pay if the engine was damaged in a covered event, such as a collision, flood or fire, minus your deductible. A powertrain or extended warranty is more likely to cover a failed engine; check for recalls too. ## Sources - [Car Care Council: Car care guide](https://www.carcare.org/car-care-guide/) - [AAA: Approved Auto Repair](https://www.aaa.com/autorepair/) - [NHTSA: Check for recalls by VIN](https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls) ## How long it lasts - [How often should you change your oil?](https://diagxcar.com/how-often/change-oil): Every 5,000-7,500 miles - [How long does a timing belt last?](https://diagxcar.com/how-long/timing-belt): 60,000-100,000 miles ## Symptoms - [Why is my engine knocking?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/engine-knocking-noise) - [Why is blue smoke coming from my exhaust?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/blue-smoke-from-exhaust) - [Why is white smoke coming from my exhaust?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/white-smoke-from-exhaust) - [Why is my car overheating?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/car-overheating) - [Why does my car lose power when accelerating?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/car-loses-power-when-accelerating) - [Why is my car leaking oil?](https://diagxcar.com/symptoms/car-leaking-oil) ## Related codes - [P0300 Random/Multiple Cylinder Misfire Detected](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0300) - [P0520 Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch "A" Circuit](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0520) - [P0521 Engine Oil Pressure Sensor/Switch "A" Circuit Range/Performance](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0521) - [P0524 Engine Oil Pressure Too Low](https://diagxcar.com/codes/p0524) ## Other repair costs - [EVAP purge valve replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/evap-purge-valve-replacement): $120-$350 - [EGR valve replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/egr-valve-replacement): $250-$850 - [Exhaust manifold gasket replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/exhaust-manifold-gasket-replacement): $300-$1,300 - [CV axle replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/cv-axle-replacement): $250-$700 - [Fuel injector replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/fuel-injector-replacement): $300-$1,500 - [Crankshaft position sensor replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/crankshaft-position-sensor-replacement): $150-$500 - [Fuel pump replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/fuel-pump-replacement): $450-$1,300 - [Coolant flush cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/coolant-flush): $110-$260 - [Head gasket replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/head-gasket-replacement): $1,400-$3,000 - [Control arm replacement cost](https://diagxcar.com/cost/control-arm-replacement): $300-$850 --- Source page: https://diagxcar.com/cost/engine-replacement Updated: 2026-11-03 General information, not a substitute for a qualified mechanic.