How the price estimate was built
What it shows: Our default range is $330 to $460; 1 of 4 published ranges overlap it.
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 ($343)MiddleHigher-cost states ($437)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $437 and AR the lowest at $343, 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?
What it shows: The most common band for complaints about this repair is under 50,000 (71%), against 60% for all complaints: the biggest difference between the two.
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
12,573 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.
What do owners say it led to?
Among the 12,573 owner complaints naming this part, owners most often say loss of power followed.
If your car shows the signs above, get it checked before it gets as far as loss of power.
Which other parts do owners name in the same complaint?
Among the 12,573 owner complaints naming this part, alternator is named in 6% of them, more than any other part.
Owners name the alternator most often in the same complaint, which is not proof that one caused the other. Ask the shop whether it checked the alternator too, so you are not quoted twice for one visit.
What did owners say they paid?
Half of the 62 owners who wrote a dollar amount gave $700 or less; one in ten wrote more than $3,178.
These are bills owners wrote down, often covering more than this one repair. They show how far a job can run; get written quotes for your own car.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
55 mph or faster leads at 32%.
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 12,573 owner complaints naming this part, being towed is the outcome owners report most often.
What it shows: Towed is the largest at 503, followed by Fire reported at 322; the smallest shown is Death reported at 7.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
Among the 12,573 owner complaints naming this part that state a model year, complaints cluster in a few model years instead of spreading evenly.
What it shows: 2019 is the largest at 1,737 (14%), followed by 2015 at 1,162 (9%); the smallest shown is 2025 at 519 (4%).
Do car battery replacement problems track median household income across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about car battery replacement run higher where median household income is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that median household income causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more median household income (dollars); higher up means more complaints for this repair than expected (1.0 is average). If the dots climb to the right, reports of this repair rise with median household income (dollars).
What it shows: States with more median household income (dollars) tend to sit higher on the chart across 51 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 10 states with the most median household income (District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Hawaii, California, New Hampshire, Washington, Connecticut, Colorado): reports of this repair run 14% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 8 of 10 are above expected. The 10 with the least (Mississippi, West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisiana, Alabama, New Mexico, Kentucky, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee): 14% below, and 0 of 10 are above expected.
- Exceptions: New Jersey and Colorado are among the highest in median household income but report below expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least median household income runs 7% below what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 3% below, and the third with the most 11% above. Most of the median household income effect sits in the third with the most.
- For median household income, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 10,000 or more. Take out any single state and the median household income pattern still holds.
- Weak spot: compare only states with similar median household income and the pattern keeps about 0% of its strength, so part of it may come from median household income instead of median household income.
Lower income means older cars kept longer and repairs put off until a part fails, which changes which repairs owners report.
Do car battery replacement problems track monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about car battery replacement run higher where monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers (dollars); higher up means more complaints for this repair than expected (1.0 is average). If the dots climb to the right, reports of this repair rise with monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers (dollars).
What it shows: States with more monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers (dollars) tend to sit higher on the chart across 49 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 10 states with the most monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers (District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Washington, New Hampshire, Colorado, Rhode Island, Delaware, California, Oregon): reports of this repair run 17% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 9 of 10 are above expected. The 10 with the least (Utah, South Dakota, West Virginia, New Mexico, Mississippi, Alabama, Kansas, Louisiana, Wyoming, Iowa): 14% below, and 1 of 10 are above expected.
- Exceptions: Colorado is among the highest in monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers but reports below expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers runs 8% below what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 4% below, and the third with the most 12% above. Most of the monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers effect sits in the third with the most.
- For monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 10,000 or more. Take out any single state and the monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers pattern still holds.
- Weak spot: compare only states with similar cost of living index and the pattern keeps about 22% of its strength, so part of it may come from cost of living index instead of monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers.
Higher starting pay for shop workers marks a tighter local labor market, which pushes up the labor part of every repair bill.
Do car battery replacement problems track battery-electric vehicles as a share of registered cars and trucks across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about car battery replacement run higher where battery-electric vehicles as a share of registered cars and trucks is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that battery-electric vehicles as a share of registered cars and trucks causes this repair.
Do car battery replacement problems track spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about car battery replacement run higher where spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident (dollars); higher up means more complaints for this repair than expected (1.0 is average). If the dots climb to the right, reports of this repair rise with spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident (dollars).
What it shows: States with more spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident (dollars) tend to sit higher on the chart across 51 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 10 states with the most spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident (Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Colorado, District of Columbia, Nebraska, Massachusetts, Alaska, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana): reports of this repair run 7% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 6 of 10 are above expected. The 10 with the least (West Virginia, Arkansas, Louisiana, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Florida, New York): 5% below, and 2 of 10 are above expected.
- Exceptions: Colorado, Nebraska and North Dakota are among the highest in spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident but report below expected; Hawaii (20% above expected) is among the lowest but above expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident runs 5% below what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 2% below, and the third with the most 13% above. Most of the spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident effect sits in the third with the most.
- For spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 71. Take out any single state and the spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident pattern still holds.
- Weak spot: compare only states with similar median household income and the pattern keeps about 5% of its strength, so part of it may come from median household income instead of spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident.
Residents who spend more on vehicle repair are fixing more or paying more per fix, which changes how many repair problems are reported.
Do car battery replacement problems track vehicle miles driven per lane-mile of public road across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about car battery replacement run higher where vehicle miles driven per lane-mile of public road is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that vehicle miles driven per lane-mile of public road causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more vehicle miles driven per lane-mile of public road; higher up means more complaints for this repair than expected (1.0 is average). If the dots climb to the right, reports of this repair rise with vehicle miles driven per lane-mile of public road.
What it shows: States with more vehicle miles driven per lane-mile of public road tend to sit higher on the chart across 51 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 10 states with the most vehicle miles driven per lane-mile of public road (Hawaii, District of Columbia, New Jersey, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, California, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island): reports of this repair run 10% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 8 of 10 are above expected. The 10 with the least (North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa, Wyoming, Alaska, Idaho, New Mexico): 10% below, and 4 of 10 are above expected.
- Exceptions: New Jersey and Florida are among the highest in vehicle miles driven per lane-mile of public road but report below expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least vehicle miles driven per lane-mile of public road runs 3% below what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 3% below, and the third with the most 5% above. Most of the vehicle miles driven per lane-mile of public road effect sits in the third with the most.
- For vehicle miles driven per lane-mile of public road, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 32. Take out any single state and the vehicle miles driven per lane-mile of public road pattern still holds.
- Weak spot: compare only states with similar cost of living index and the pattern keeps about 0% of its strength, so part of it may come from cost of living index instead of vehicle miles driven per lane-mile of public road.
Where each lane-mile of road carries more traffic, vehicles spend more of their miles stopping and starting, which wears brakes, tires, clutches and suspension.
Do car battery replacement problems track average one-way commute across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about car battery replacement run higher where average one-way commute is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that average one-way commute causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more average one-way commute (minutes); higher up means more complaints for this repair than expected (1.0 is average). If the dots climb to the right, reports of this repair rise with average one-way commute (minutes).
What it shows: States with more average one-way commute (minutes) tend to sit higher on the chart across 51 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 10 states with the most average one-way commute (New York, Maryland, New Jersey, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, California, Georgia, Florida, Illinois, West Virginia): reports of this repair run 6% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 6 of 10 are above expected. The 10 with the least (South Dakota, North Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Alaska, Kansas, Iowa, Montana, Idaho, Wisconsin): 8% below, and 4 of 10 are above expected.
- Exceptions: New Jersey, Florida and Illinois are among the highest in average one-way commute but report below expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least average one-way commute runs 4% below what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 6% below, and the third with the most 6% above. Most of the average one-way commute effect sits in the third with the most.
- For average one-way commute, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 9. Take out any single state and the average one-way commute pattern still holds.
- Weak spot: compare only states with similar cost of living index and the pattern keeps about 0% of its strength, so part of it may come from cost of living index instead of average one-way commute.
More time on the road every day wears parts out sooner.
How many people do this kind of work themselves?
On an average day in 2025, 2.3% of Americans 15 and older worked on their own vehicle (3.5% of men and 1.1% of women), spending 1.6 hours when they did (BLS American Time Use Survey, national).
Share of people 15 and older who cared for their own vehicle on an average day, 2025. Men: 3.5%; Women: 1.1%.
Will I be charged a core deposit on a new car battery, and is it refundable?
35 of 50 states listed by the Battery Council International follow its model lead-acid battery law and 11 require a refundable deposit when you buy a car battery, which the shop returns when you hand in the old battery within the refund period (typically 30 to 45 days).
| State | Refundable deposit | Refund period | Non-refundable fee | BCI model law |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | n/a | N/A | No | |
| Alaska | n/a | N/A | No | |
| Arizona | Required (varies): amended 2016 | 45 days | N/A | Yes |
| Arkansas | Required ($10) | 30 days | N/A | Yes |
| California | Required (varies, stationary storage batteries exempt) | 45 days | $1; $2 starting April 1, 2022 (stationary storage batteries exempt) | Yes |
| Colorado | Allowed ($10 minimum) | 30 days | N/A | Yes |
| Connecticut | Required: $5 | 30 days | N/A | Yes |
| Delaware | n/a | N/A | No | |
| Florida | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | $1.50 o | No |
| Georgia | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Hawaii | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Idaho | Required($10) | 30 days | N/A | Yes |
| Illinois | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Indiana | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Iowa | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Kansas | N/A z | N/A | N/A | No |
| Kentucky | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Louisiana | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Maine | Required ($10) | 30 days | $1.00 p | Yes |
| Maryland | n/a | N/A | No | |
| Massachusetts | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | No g |
| Michigan | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Minnesota | Required ($10) | 30 days | N/A | Yes f |
| Mississippi | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Missouri | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | $0.50 | Yes |
| Montana | n/a | N/A | No | |
| Nebraska | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | No i |
| Nevada | N/A | N/A | N/A | No g |
| New Hampshire | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | No g |
| New Jersey | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| New Mexico | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | No g |
| New York | Required ($5)* | 30 days | N/A | Yes |
| North Carolina | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | No |
| North Dakota | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Ohio | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Oklahoma | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Oregon | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Pennsylvania | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Allowed (varies) z | 7 days | N/A | Yes |
| South Carolina | Required ($5) x | 30 days | $2 m | Yes |
| South Dakota | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | No |
| Tennessee | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | No q |
| Texas | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | $2/$3 n | Yes |
| Utah | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Vermont | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Virginia | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Washington | Required ($5 minimum) | 30 days | N/A | Yes |
| West Virginia | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Required ($10, amended 2014) j | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| Wyoming | Allowed (varies) z | N/A | N/A | Yes |
Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?
The federal producer price index for new storage batteries rose 28.9% 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 storage batteries, as shops buy them from makers, since December 2019, against consumer prices for motor vehicle repair. New storage batteries: +28.9%; All motor vehicle parts: +17.4%; Motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together: +55.2%.
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 93 foreign recall campaigns that name battery with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Toyota Motor Corporation in 2026-09.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11 | Porsche Cars. | 207 | November 24, 2025 Subject: Notification of Recall Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 579.11 (a) Defect may be present in the cell modules of the 48Ah High Voltage Battery, which could result in overheating during charging. |
| 2025-09 | Porsche Cars. | 176 | This is more likely to occur if the heater is used frequently for prolonged periods on high setting, or if the vehicle battery is frequently charged at low ambient temperatures. |
| 2025-10 | Porsche Cars. | 163 | Volkswagen Touareg Audi A8, Q7 and Q8 MY 2021-2026 Date of Production: 08/2019-07/2024 Volkswagen Touareg MY2021-2024 Date of Production: 03/2019-08/2024 Number of Affected Vehicles Audi: 18,655 Description of issue VW; 13,396 Country Defective high-voltage. |
| 2026-09 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 138 | Date: September 2, 2026 Foreign Safety Recall / Other Safety Campaign Report Subject: Battery Electric Vehicle Electronic Control Unit issue on certain Toyota C-HR vehicles 1. |
| 2025-09 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 133 | The subject heater is used in both Fuel Cell Vehicles and Battery Electric Vehicles. |
| 2026-08 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 118 | As the subject vehicles were not equipped with a sub-battery, a component of the system which supplies power in case the main battery becomes damaged during impact, the Egypt destination vehicles may not meet certain regulatory requirements of that market. |
| 2025-07 | Kia America. | 109 | Eileen Sullivan Associate Administrator for Enforcement National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Attn: Early Warning Division (NVS-217) 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20590 VIA EMAIL Re: TREAD Act Reporting of a Foreign Country Recall 2020MY. |
| 2025-07 | Hyundai Motor America | 108 | Description of the defect/noncompliance: Certain battery cells within the battery assembly of the subject vehicles could become damaged due to an electrical short. |
Which counties get the weather that wears this part?
FEMA's National Risk Index puts Tulsa County, OK, Okmulgee County, OK and Wagoner County, OK highest for heat and cold waves combined, about 27.95 events a year, against 7.07 in the median county. Both heat and deep cold shorten battery life.
| County | Heat wave plus cold wave events per year | Residents (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa County, OK | 27.95 | 669,277 |
| Okmulgee County, OK | 27.37 | 36,710 |
| Wagoner County, OK | 27.21 | 80,983 |
| Muskogee County, OK | 27.05 | 66,348 |
| Creek County, OK | 26.68 | 71,752 |
| Rogers County, OK | 26.47 | 95,236 |
| Washington County, OK | 26.21 | 52,455 |
| Pittsburg County, OK | 25.84 | 43,773 |
| Osage County, OK | 25.63 | 45,825 |
| Le Flore County, OK | 25.42 | 48,130 |
| Median county (1,803 counties) | 7.07 |
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 4 recall campaigns for parts matched to a car battery replacement since model year 2015, covering about 2,196,857 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 car battery replacement since model year 2015 | 4 recall campaigns covering about 2,196,857 vehicles |
Does my car use its battery harder than older cars did?
EPA's Automotive Trends data show gasoline engines with stop/start (the engine restarts at every light, which cycles the battery and starter) in 57.6% of new vehicles in model year 2024 against 0.0% in 2010 (sales-weighted national shares).
| Model year | Gasoline with stop/start | Mild hybrid | Strong hybrid | Plug-in hybrid and electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2005 | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.8% | 0.0% |
| 2010 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3.8% | 0.0% |
| 2014 | 4.9% | 0.1% | 2.5% | 0.7% |
| 2018 | 29.6% | 0.4% | 1.9% | 2.2% |
| 2021 | 44.0% | 4.0% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| 2024 | 57.6% | 5.3% | 9.5% | 9.7% |
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V-734 | Toyota RAV4 2015–2018 | 1,853,568 | A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire. |
| 25V-019 | Ford Maverick 2022–2023; Ford Bronco Sport 2021–2023 | 272,817 | Battery failure can result in a loss of electrical accessories, including the hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of 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. |
| 22V-733 | Mercedes-Benz E 450 2021–2022; Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 2019–2022; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 2019–2021 and 1 more | 19,968 | The inability to operate safety features (eCall system, hazard lights, electric seats, or automatic door locks) can increase the risk of injury during 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen | Id. Buzz 2025; Golf R 2024–2026 and 7 more | V2724012073810_7 | Aug 13, 2026 | Battery Checking Procedure before. |
| Mazda | CX-90 Plug-IN Hybrid 2024–2026; CX-70 Plug-IN Hybrid 2025–2026 | PF-26-03 | Jul 28, 2026 | PXFV185EZA (Yuasa YTZ7S) Sub Battery Replacement If the sub battery is not available or on backorder, it is acceptable to source a battery using the same manufacturer and model (commonly used for motorcycles). |
| Lincoln | Navigator 2025–2026 | TCU-26.2.11.4 Navigator | May 28, 2026 | Quality improvements include: -Addresses Key off load battery usage caused by the Telematics Control Unit Wi-Fi not going to sleep when the vehicle is turned. |
| Audi | A5 2015–2026; S4 2015–2025 and 62 more | TSB_2080517_4 | May 22, 2026 | This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective. |
| Lexus | RX Hybrid 2023–2026 | L-SB-0011-26 | May 7, 2026 | A 12V auxiliary battery with increased capacity has been released as an optional replacement. |
| MINI | Paceman 2015–2016 | M610226 | Apr 30, 2026 | While performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test, and/or programming procedure- the MINI Footwell Module (FRM) may become unresponsive. |
22 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 (2)
| Maker | Vehicles | Date | Notice number | What the maker extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen | Atlas 2018–2019 | Jul 8, 2019 | VWP-19 | 12-volt. |
| Chevrolet | Cruze 2011–2015 | Jan 31, 2017 | 14311A | Negative battery cable terminal clamp with insufficient. |
What do owners say?
4 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
Have taken the vehicle to the dealer numerous times and each time told they can't figure out what causes the problem, but they replaced the battery at a cost of $500...didn't fix the problem.
And that I paid $200 last month for a FAILED BATTERY last month.
We have been told we need to pay $200 for the fix PLUS more than $200 for the battery which has undoubtedly been impacted by the first issue.
Called aaa, battery had dead cell so I purchased one for $200.
Check your car
Our calculator's default estimate is $330–$460 for an AGM (start-stop) battery, parts plus a 30-minute install; a standard flooded battery is $140–$240. Two choices move that number most: the battery type your car needs and where you have it installed.
What does the battery replacement price cover?
The estimate covers the battery and about 30 minutes of labor to swap it. That is the whole job on most cars: remove the old unit, clean the terminals, fit the new one and confirm the car starts.
It leaves out things a quote may add. Some shops charge a diagnostic fee to confirm the battery is the fault, and some add a core charge or disposal fee for the old battery. Cars with a battery monitoring system may need it reset after the swap, which is extra time.
How much does the price change by battery type and shop?
Battery type moves the price far more than the shop does. Here are the calculator's ranges by setting.
| Setting | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Standard flooded battery | $140–$240 |
| Default: AGM (start-stop / EFB system) | $330–$460 |
| Premium AGM / gel | $360–$510 |
| Independent shop (about $100/hr) | $320–$450 |
| Dealership (about $175/hr) | $358–$488 |
Shop rows assume the default AGM battery. A standard flooded battery is cheaper at any shop; if your car has start-stop, the AGM rows are the ones to compare.
How do I know it is the battery and how urgent is it?
A slow, labored crank or a car that is dead after sitting overnight points at the battery. Clicking with dim dash lights does too. A car that cranks fine but dies while driving is more likely the charging system, and a new battery will not fix that.
A weak battery is not an emergency, but it will strand you at the worst moment. If the car already struggles to start, plan the swap this week rather than waiting for a no-start. Ask whoever tests it to check the charging system in the same visit, so you do not buy a battery the alternator then drains.
How do I get a fair quote?
Call two or three places and give each the same details: your year, make and model, and whether the car has start-stop. Ask for the battery type and brand, the install labor and any fees as separate lines.
Compare the same battery type across quotes. A cheap quote for a standard battery is not a deal if your car needs AGM. Ask whether the old battery is credited back, and whether the new one carries a written warranty.
What does the estimate leave out?
It is a range for a typical car, not a quote for yours. Batteries in hard-to-reach spots, under a seat or in the trunk, take more labor. Taxes, local labor rates and any needed terminal or cable repair are not included.
If a quote lands well above the range for your battery type, ask what is being added before you pay. The next step is to enter your car in the calculator and take that range with you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace the battery myself?
Many owners do on simple layouts. Check the manual first: some cars need the new battery registered with the car's computer, which a plain swap skips.
Is an AGM battery worth the extra cost?
If your car came with one or has start-stop, yes, because it is the type the system is designed for. If it came with a standard battery, the calculator's standard range is the fair comparison.
Does the dealership always cost more?
Its labor rate is higher, so the total is higher, but on this repair the gap is modest. Battery type is the bigger lever.
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
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year 2019-2023 (B19013), joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- Census LEHD Quarterly Workforce Indicators 2024, NAICS 8111, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- DOE AFDC, Electric Vehicle Registrations by State 2023, over FHWA Highway Statistics 2023 Table MV-1, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- U.S. Census Bureau Coastline Counties list 2016 with state population, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- BEA Personal Consumption Expenditures by State 2024, motor vehicle maintenance and repair, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2023, tables VM-2 and HM-60, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census (P2 urban and rural population), joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2023 (B08013, B08301), joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- BLS American Time Use Survey, vehicle care by self (activity 020700) and vehicle maintenance and repair services not done by self (090500) data from 2025
- Battery Council International, State Recycling Laws; EPA lead-acid battery collection case study for states without the model law data from 2026
- BLS Producer Price Index, commodity data for motor vehicle parts (series WPU117901); 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
- FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), county table: annualized frequency per hazard file downloaded 2025-12
- 49 U.S.C. 30120 (Remedies for defects and noncompliance), text via Cornell Legal Information Institute; NHTSA recall campaigns data from 2026
- U.S. EPA, The 2025 EPA Automotive Trends Report (EPA-420-R-26-001) file downloaded 2026-10
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. Reported: figures as reported by the publisher, not independently verified. 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 4 established price guides on 2026-10-04: our default's midpoint is 17% below the middle of RepairPal's range ($456–$493). Methodology