What does this cost in your state?
California is the costliest state and Arkansas the cheapest; each square shows that state's midpoint of the estimate.
Lower-cost states ($137)MiddleHigher-cost states ($174)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $174 and AR the lowest at $137, across 51 states.
Counts below are complaints filed with NHTSA, not failure rates: a longer bar means more owners reported it.
Is your car affected?
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
349 owner complaints name this part.
Owners say the dealer could not fix or repeat the problem. If it comes back after a repair, ask what was tested before you pay again.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
55 mph or faster leads at 36%.
Owners reported it most often at highway speed. Tell the shop what speed it happens at, because that narrows the diagnosis.
How serious did it get for owners?
Among the 349 owner complaints naming this part, being towed is the outcome owners report most often.
What it shows: Towed is the largest at 21, followed by Fire reported at 18; the smallest shown is Crash reported at 1.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
Among the 349 owner complaints naming this part that state a model year, complaints cluster in a few model years instead of spreading evenly.
What it shows: 2015 is the largest at 57 (16%), followed by 2016 at 46 (13%); the smallest shown is 2024 at 6 (2%).
Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?
The federal producer price index for new other electrical and electronic equipment rose 26.7% from December 2019 to August 2026, while the consumer price index for motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together, rose 55.2% (BLS, national).
Prices of new other electrical and electronic equipment, as shops buy them from makers, since December 2019, against consumer prices for motor vehicle repair. New other electrical and electronic equipment: +26.7%; All motor vehicle parts: +17.4%; Motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together: +55.2%.
Has the replacement part I am buying been recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 equipment recalls coded to this part since 2015 (electrical system), covering 13,245 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Navico Group in 2023, covered 4,746.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Navico Group: Insight 48v Lithium Batte | 12v/24v/48v battery | certain RELiON InSight 48 V lithium-ion batteries, Part Number 48V030-GC2. | 4,746 |
| 2018 | Ioxus Corporation: Energy Storage Module | 12v/24v/48v battery | certain uStart energy storage modules, part number UST12V1100G31-ISA. | 3,877 |
| 2023 | East Penn Manufacturing Company, Inc.: Deka Car Battery | 12v/24v/48v battery | certain Deka batteries, model 648MF. The electrical connection between the internal battery cell and external. | 2,139 |
| 2024 | Renogy: Battery Pack | 12v/24v/48v battery | certain battery packs with model number RBT210LFP51S-12 and part number RBT210LFP51S-12-G1-U. | 1,800 |
| 2015 | Old World Industries, Llc: Pkc0ls Jump Starter | 12v/24v/48v battery | certain Peak Lithium Rechargeable Jump-Starters, model PKC0LS, manufactured December 22, 2014, to March 24. | 683 |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 16 foreign recall campaigns that name battery cable with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Chrysler (FCA US in 2024-10.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-12 | Mercedes-Benz - DBA Sprinter | 269 | Associate Administrator for Enforcement Dec 2, 2021 Page 2 Description of Issue MBAG determined that on certain Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo and Marco Polo Activity/Horizon model line vehicles (VS20), dismantling or assembly of the supplemental battery could. |
| 2024-10 | Chrysler (FCA US) | 231 | Date of Report: 10/16/2024 Determined by: Manufacturer's Name - Brand Name Stellantis Europe S.p.A � Fiat/Abarth Report Type Safety Recall Identification of Affected Vehicles: Make(s) Model(s) Model Year(s) Inclusive Dates of Affected Start End Manufacture. |
| 2021-05 | Volkswagen Group. | 114 | The 12V starter battery in the Tiguan PHEV is assembled in the rear trunk area. |
| 2023-06 | Mazda Motor. | 094 | Hiroshima Number of affected vehicles: 9,594 vehicles Market: Europe Estimated percentage of the affected vehicles that contain the subject condition: 0.1% Description of the Defect: Due to inappropriate onboard charger software programming logic, the onboard. |
| 2022-06 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) | 094 | 573.6(c)(3) Total Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected: 460 573.6(c)(5) Defect Description: The battery ground bolt may be cross threaded due to improper installation. |
| 2021-04 | Ford Motor Company | 091 | Vehicles affected: 228 market: other philippines thailand estimated percentage of the affected vehicles 100% reason for this field action an m8 nut that attached the positive battery cable (b+) to |
| 2021-03 | BMW of | 063 | Washington, DC 20590 RE: Foreign Safety / Non-Compliance Campaign � Battery Housing Insert 2018-2021 BMW X3 SAV Dear Mr. |
| 2024-02 | Hino Motors Sales U.S.A. | 029 | Description of Defect or Noncompliance The subject vehicle may have a ground circuit of the telematics control unit that can become damaged because of improper design of telematics harness if it is not properly connected to the battery. |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 14 NHTSA recalls coded to this part filed 2015 to 2024, 87.0% of the 279,161 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 36,379 vehicles still carrying the defect.
| Year | Vehicles | Recalled vehicles | Repaired | Component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Kia Ev6 | 48,232 | 81.0% | 12v/24v/48v battery |
| 2023 | Honda Cr-V Hybrid | 106,030 | 86.6% | 12v/24v/48v battery cables |
| 2023 | Hyundai Kona | 10,984 | 96.5% | 12v/24v/48v battery cables |
| 2023 | Dodge Hornet; Alfa Romeo Tonale, Tonale Phev | 4,129 | 99.6% | 12v/24v/48v battery cables |
| 2022 | Volkswagen Id.4 | 1,042 | 98.8% | 12v/24v/48v battery cables |
| 2022 | Mercedes-Benz E 450, Amg E53 | 19,968 | 90.6% | 12v/24v/48v battery |
| 2021 | Chevrolet Express; Gmc Savana | 10,154 | 85.8% | 12v/24v/48v battery cables |
| 2019 | Lincoln Mkx | 54,411 | 85.3% | 12v/24v/48v battery cables |
If this part was recalled, is the repair free?
Federal law (49 U.S.C. 30120) requires a maker to fix a recalled defect without charge for cars first bought within 15 calendar years (tires within 5), and NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for parts matched to a battery cable replacement since model year 2015, covering about 313,516 vehicles.
| Rule or count | What it says |
|---|---|
| Age limits | The free-remedy duty does not apply to a car first bought more than 15 calendar years, or a tire first bought more than 5 calendar years, before the recall notice. |
| Failure to fix | A repair not done adequately within 60 days of presentation is prima facie evidence of failure to repair within a reasonable time; the maker must then replace the vehicle or refund the purchase price less depreciation. |
| Free remedy | A maker must fix a recall defect without charge. |
| NHTSA recalls matched to a battery cable replacement since model year 2015 | 8 recall campaigns covering about 313,516 vehicles |
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V-805 | Ford F-150 2019–2020 | 135,725 | Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 23V-844 | Honda CR-V Hybrid 2020–2022 | 106,030 | An overheated battery cable or short circuit can increase the risk of a fire or injury in a crash. |
| 19V-299 | Honda Odyssey 2018–2019 | 50,504 | A damaged parking rod can allow the vehicle to roll when parked, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. |
| 23V-901 | Hyundai Kona 2024 | 10,984 | A short circuit increases the risk of an engine compartment fire. |
| 21V-189 | Chevrolet Express 2021; GMC Savana 2021 | 10,154 | A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire. |
| 25V-109 | BMW X3 2025 | 114 | An overheated battery cable connection can cause an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash. |
| 25V-643 | BMW 430i 2026; BMW M4 2026 | 4 | An engine stall increases the risk of a crash and a fire increases the risk of injury. |
| 25V-906 | BMW I4 Edrive40 2025 | 1 | A loose positive battery cable connection could lead to the vehicle stalling, increasing the risk of a crash. |
A bulletin is a repair procedure a maker sends its dealers, not a safety defect: if your maker is listed, ask the dealer whether one covers your car and quote its number.
| Maker | Vehicles | Bulletin number | Date | What it says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda | CX-70 2025–2026; CX-90 2024–2026 | SA-044-26 | Jul 2, 2026 | DESCRIPTION Some customers may experience an instrument cluster warning message. |
| Land Rover | Range Rover 2025; Range Rover Sport 2025 | Range Rover_N955_18AUG25 | Aug 18, 2025 | There may be a missing fixing on the Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) battery cable which is away from design specification. |
| Land Rover | Range Rover Sport 2025; Range Rover 2025 | Range Rover_N955_16MAY25 | May 17, 2025 | A quality concern has been identified where there may be a missing fixing on the Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) battery cable which is away from design specification. |
| Buick | Envista 2024–2025; Encore GX 2024–2025 | PIT6263 | Oct 22, 2024 | This Preliminary information communicates to the technician a diagnostic tip, to inspect the negative battery cable if they encounter an intermittent no crank/start or stall condition. |
| KIA | Telluride 2023 | SC274_TSB | Aug 7, 2023 | Voluntary service campaign: Positive battery terminal nut re-tightening (SC274) - This bulletin provides information to re-tighten the positive (+) battery terminal nut on certain 2023MY Kia Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from February 8, 2023 through May. |
| MINI | Cooper 2015–2023; JCW 2015–2023 and 3 more | M610123 | Mar 1, 2023 | Oscillations in the electric drive can occur. |
39 more bulletins name this part; the car finder at the top checks yours, and the NHTSA bulletin file linked below lists them all.
Manufacturer warranty extensions naming this part (1)
| Maker | Vehicles | Date | Notice number | What the maker extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet | Cruze 2011–2015 | Feb 2, 2017 | 14311 | Negative battery cable terminal clamp with insufficient. |
What do owners say?
3 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
Battery drain causing none start,codes,having to disconnect negative wire on the battery terminal to reset.car is currently on 21000 miles recently purchased vehicle July 2, 2025.
Positive battery cable went out which is a $1500 repair.
17,000 miles,I popped the hood of the vehicle to access the negative battery cable with the intention of disconnecting +reconnecting to clear warning.instead I found both neg.+pos.
Check your car
At a shop charging $100 an hour, replacing one battery cable costs $73 to $242, and replacing both costs $96 to $334. The labor rate changes the bill most: at $175 an hour, one cable runs $111 to $355.
Ask the shop for that bulletin before it starts work.
Ford Maverick Hybrid battery cable complaints arrive at a median of 15,000 miles on 2022-2023 trucks
The Ford Maverick Hybrid has 10 battery cable complaints, and they come from the 2022 and 2023 model years. Owners reported them at a median of 15,000 miles, which is early in the ownership of a truck that is still young. If your quote is closer to the owner figure, the job probably covers more than a plain cable swap on a conventional 12-volt setup, so ask the shop to list the part number and labor hours.
Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator bulletin S1808000057 points technicians to the negative battery cables on ESS models
It covers 2018–2024 Wrangler and 2020–2024 Gladiator. Owners filed 13 battery cable complaints on the Wrangler, with peaks on 2017, 2020 and 2021 models. On these Jeeps, a no-start or warning light may trace back to the negative-side cable or its connection. If a shop quotes both cables, you can ask whether the ESS negative cable inspection has been done first.
GM bulletin PIT6263 links intermittent no-crank on the Trax, Trailblazer, Envista and Encore GX to the negative battery cable
Bulletin PIT6263 is a diagnostic tip for 2024–2025 Chevrolet Trax, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Buick Envista and Buick Encore GX. It tells technicians to inspect the negative battery cable when the car intermittently won't crank or start. If you have one of these models and that symptom, the cable is the documented first check. That can keep a starter or battery replacement off the bill. The Chevrolet Cruze has more battery cable bulletins than any other model in the data: 5. Owners filed 11 Cruze complaints, which peak on 2015–2016 models.
Kia Telluride campaign SC274 re-tightens the positive battery terminal nut instead of replacing the cable
Kia's voluntary service campaign SC274 covers the 2023 Telluride. It re-tightens the positive battery terminal nut. The fix is torque, not a new cable. BMW recall 25V109000 covers 114 units of the 2025 X3 30 xDrive and addresses a related fault: a positive cable connection at the starter-generator that may not have been tightened properly and can overheat. If you own either vehicle and see cable-end heat damage, check whether the campaign or recall applies before you approve a cable replacement.
Battery cable complaints on 2019 models came at a median of 15,000 miles, against 68,000 on 2016 models
The mileage at which owners report cable problems drops sharply on newer model years. The median was 62,000 miles on 2015 models and 68,000 on 2016 models, but 15,000 on 2019 models. Across all complaints, one in ten came before 5,000 miles, and only one in ten came after 109,000. So on a newer car, a cable fault at low mileage is common in these reports, not a sign of an unusual car. It also means the car may still be under warranty. The Chevrolet Tahoe runs the other way: its complaints center on 130,000 miles.
Stalling or loss of power appears in a third of battery cable complaints, and only 6% of owners needed a tow
The most common description is the car stalling or losing power (33%), ahead of warning lights. Loss of power was the reported consequence in 60 complaints, and 6 reports describe lost steering or braking. Even so, only 6% of owners reported needing a tow. Smoke or a burning smell appears in 4% of complaints. That symptom matches the fire consequence listed in the Ford F-150, Hyundai Kona and GM Express/Savana recalls.
Sources
Data shown on this page
- NHTSA owner complaint file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA recall file file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA service bulletin file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- CalcScrape calculator model scaled by BEA Regional Price Parities data from 2024
- BLS Producer Price Index, commodity data for motor vehicle parts (series WPU141205142); BLS Consumer Price Index item SETD for the repair row file downloaded August 2026
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, Foreign Campaigns (filings under 49 CFR 579.11, public API) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall quarterly reports (basis of the Annual List of Recall Completion Rates) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- 49 U.S.C. 30120 (Remedies for defects and noncompliance), text via Cornell Legal Information Institute; NHTSA recall campaigns data from 2026
Terms: US government data, public domain.
Observed: records as filed; owner reports are unverified and are not failure rates. Modeled: our estimate, not a quote. Derived: computed from the records; an association, not a cause. Rule: a published legal rule, not a measurement; whether it covers a given repair depends on the car and the facts.
What is our own estimate
The price range comes from our calculator's formula. Its parts prices, labor hours per job and shop-rate tiers are CalcScrape estimates, not a published price dataset. Checked against RepairPal's range ($392–$449) on 2026-10-06: our default's midpoint is 0% above the middle of that range. Methodology