How the price estimate was built
What it shows: Our default range is $2,574 to $4,806; 4 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 ($3,207)MiddleHigher-cost states ($4,085)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $4,085 and AR the lowest at $3,207, 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 (46%), against 60% for all complaints: the biggest difference between the two.
What it shows: The most common band for complaints about this repair is 3-5 years (36%). The biggest difference from all complaints is under 3 years old: 28% against 40%.
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
23,285 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.
Which trouble codes do owners report?
P0700 Transmission Control System (MIL Request) leads at 42.
The code owners quote most is P0700. Read your own code from a scan and give the shop the exact code, not only "the light is on".
What do owners say it led to?
Among the 23,285 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 23,285 owner complaints naming this part, clutch is named in 7% of them, more than any other part.
Other parts named in the same complaints. Clutch: 7%; Transmission control module: 3%.
Owners name the clutch most often in the same complaint, which is not proof that one caused the other. Ask the shop whether it checked the clutch too, so you are not quoted twice for one visit.
What did owners say they paid?
Half of the 228 owners who wrote a dollar amount gave $6,100 or less; one in ten wrote more than $10,000.
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 23,285 owner complaints naming this part, being towed is the outcome owners report most often.
What it shows: Towed is the largest at 1,397, followed by Crash reported at 271; the smallest shown is Death reported at 2.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
Among the 23,285 owner complaints naming this part that state a model year, complaints cluster in a few model years instead of spreading evenly.
What it shows: 2016 is the largest at 3,906 (17%); the smallest shown is 2025 at 218 (1%).
Are cars still worth repairing at this age?
The average light vehicle on U.S. roads is 12.8 years old in 2025, up from 8.4 years in 1995, and the average passenger car is 14.5 years old.
What it shows: 2025 is the largest at 12.8 years, followed by 1995 at 8.4 years; the smallest shown is 1995 at 8.4 years.
Do transmission replacement problems track gallons of motor gasoline burned per resident per year across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about transmission replacement run higher where gallons of motor gasoline burned per resident per year is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that gallons of motor gasoline burned per resident per year causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more gallons of motor gasoline burned per resident per year (seds, transportation); 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 gallons of motor gasoline burned per resident per year (seds, transportation).
What it shows: States with more gallons of motor gasoline burned per resident per year (seds, transportation) tend to sit higher on the chart across 50 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 10 states with the most gallons of motor gasoline burned per resident per year (Alabama, Wyoming, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Dakota, Missouri, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Arkansas, Kentucky): reports of this repair run 12% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 8 of 10 are above expected. The 10 with the least (District of Columbia, New York, Hawaii, California, Washington, Illinois, Oregon, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Alaska): 6% below, and 3 of 10 are above expected.
- Exceptions: North Dakota and South Dakota are among the highest in gallons of motor gasoline burned per resident per year but report below expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least gallons of motor gasoline burned per resident per year runs 4% below what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 1% above, and the third with the most 6% above. It steps up steadily.
- For gallons of motor gasoline burned per resident per year, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 43. Take out any single state and the gallons of motor gasoline burned per resident per year pattern still holds.
- Weak spot: compare only states with similar share of residents living in urban areas and the pattern keeps about 50% of its strength, so part of it may come from share of residents living in urban areas instead of gallons of motor gasoline burned per resident per year.
- For gallons of motor gasoline burned per resident per year, of the 4 exception states, 3 read the same way for the other parts of the system (so that is the system there, not this repair) and 1 are specific to this repair.
Where residents burn more gasoline they drive more miles, and brakes, tires, belts and suspension wear out with miles.
Do transmission replacement problems track FTC auto-related fraud and consumer reports per 100,000 residents across states?
Across U.S. states, NHTSA owner complaints about transmission replacement run higher where FTC auto-related fraud and consumer reports per 100,000 residents is higher, after adjusting for the makes sold in each state. This is an association across states, not proof that FTC auto-related fraud and consumer reports per 100,000 residents causes this repair.
How to read it: Each dot is a state. Further right means more ftc auto-related fraud and consumer reports per 100,000 residents (2024); 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 ftc auto-related fraud and consumer reports per 100,000 residents (2024).
What it shows: States with more ftc auto-related fraud and consumer reports per 100,000 residents (2024) tend to sit higher on the chart across 50 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- The 10 states with the most FTC auto-related fraud and consumer reports per 100,000 residents (Nevada, Florida, Georgia, Delaware, Maryland, Arizona, Missouri, Connecticut, South Carolina, Illinois): reports of this repair run 1% above what the makes sold there would predict, and 7 of 10 are above expected. The 10 with the least (North Dakota, Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, Hawaii, Montana, Minnesota, Idaho, Alaska, Maine): 5% below, and 3 of 10 are above expected.
- Exceptions: Nevada, Florida and Arizona are among the highest in FTC auto-related fraud and consumer reports per 100,000 residents but report below expected.
- Split the states into thirds: the third with the least FTC auto-related fraud and consumer reports per 100,000 residents runs 5% below what the makes sold there would predict, the middle third 2% above, and the third with the most 2% above. Most of the FTC auto-related fraud and consumer reports per 100,000 residents effect sits between the lowest and the middle third.
- For FTC auto-related fraud and consumer reports per 100,000 residents, after allowing for the 1562 comparisons we ran, luck alone would produce a pattern this strong about 1 time in 8. Take out any single state and the FTC auto-related fraud and consumer reports per 100,000 residents pattern still holds.
- For FTC auto-related fraud and consumer reports per 100,000 residents, of the 5 exception states, 1 read the same way for the other parts of the system (so that is the system there, not this repair) and 4 are specific to this repair.
States where more residents report auto-repair, dealer and warranty problems to the FTC may be states where repair disputes and unexpected bills are more common.
Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?
The federal producer price index for new transmissions rose 19.5% from December 2019 to August 2026, while the consumer price index for motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together, rose 55.2% (BLS, national).
What it shows: Motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together is the largest at +55.2%, followed by New transmissions at +19.5%; the smallest shown is New transmission and power train parts at +13.5%.
How much of a repair bill is labor and how much is parts?
In the 2017 Economic Census, transmission repair shops took 49.8% of their repair revenue from labor charges and 50.2% from parts installed, close to the 51.0% labor share of all auto repair shops (U.S. Census Bureau, national, 4,365 shops).
| Shop type (NAICS) | Labor charges | Parts installed | All revenue of the shop type | Establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive repair and maintenance (all shop types) | 51.0% | 49.0% | $115.3 billion | 162,185 |
| Automotive body, paint, interior, and glass repair | 50.6% | 49.4% | $43.0 billion | 41,542 |
| Automotive mechanical and electrical repair and maintenance | 50.4% | 49.6% | $54.9 billion | 92,088 |
| Automotive transmission repair | 49.8% | 50.2% | $2.2 billion | 4,365 |
How common is a bill this size for a household?
30% of U.S. adults had a major vehicle repair or replacement in the 12 months before the Federal Reserve's 2025 survey, the most common unexpected expense, with a median cost of $1,000 to $1,999 among those who knew the amount.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Adults with a major vehicle repair or replacement | 30% |
| Adults with any major unexpected expense | 59% |
| Any major unexpected expense, family income $100,000 or more | 62% |
| Any major unexpected expense, family income $25,000 to $49,999 | 61% |
| Any major unexpected expense, family income $50,000 to $99,999 | 62% |
| Any major unexpected expense, family income under $25,000 | 47% |
| Usual amount paid for a major vehicle expense (median) | $1,000 to $1,999 |
Is shop labor getting more expensive, and are shops short of workers?
Wages of private-industry installation, maintenance and repair workers rose 31.3% from late 2019 to 2026 quarter 2, against 29.3% for all private workers, and 2.3 of every 100 employees in other services, the sector holding repair shops, quit each month against 1.9 across all jobs (BLS, national).
| Measure | Repair workers (pay) and other services (turnover) | All private workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hires a month per 100 employees (12-month average) | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| Job openings per 100 jobs (12-month average) | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| Quits a month per 100 employees (12-month average) | 2.3 | 1.9 |
| Total pay and benefits, change over the last 12 months | +3.6% | +3.3% |
| Wages and salaries, change over the last 12 months | +3.7% | +3.1% |
| Wages and salaries, change since the fourth quarter of 2019 | +31.3% | +29.3% |
How often do owners actually win a lemon-law case?
In Connecticut's 2025 lemon-law program, 113 of 141 arbitration hearings (80%) ended in a refund or replacement vehicle, while Texas ordered 14 repurchases or replacements after hearings among 576 complaints filed in fiscal 2020; these are program totals for all vehicles and defects, not for transmission replacement.
| Program and year | Cases | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut decisions on Chevrolet (since 2018) | 13 of 357 | a make from this page's top owner complaints; the file lists the case, not the outcome |
| Connecticut decisions on Ford (since 2018) | 35 of 357 | a make from this page's top owner complaints; the file lists the case, not the outcome |
| Connecticut, 2025 | 141 hearings | 113 refund or replacement (80%), 15 cash and keep, 13 no action |
| New York, 1998 | all cases | consumers prevailed in 68% of new-car cases and 63% of used-car disputes (awards and settlements combined) |
| Texas, fiscal 2020 | 576 complaints filed | 302 settled before a decision; 14 vehicles ordered repurchased or replaced after hearings (78 post-hearing orders) |
Could a repeat failure be a lemon-law buyback instead of a bill?
Of the 51 lemon-law statutes (50 states and DC), 29 presume a lemon after 4 failed repair attempts of the same defect and 15 after 3, and 44 set the out-of-service limit at 30 days (calendar or business), within a window that runs from the warranty period up to 3 years.
| State | Presumed a lemon after | Coverage window | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service. 1 year or 12,000 miles | see statute | 8-20A-1 - 8-20A-6 |
| Alaska | 3 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service | the or 1 year | 45.45.300 - 45.45.360 |
| Arizona | 4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service | the 2 years or 24,000 miles | 44-1261 - 44-1267 |
| Arkansas | 1 repair attempt for a defect that might cause death or serious injury or 3 repair attempts for the same defect or 5 repair attempts for separate problems, or 30 calendar days out of service. 2 years or 24,000 miles | see statute | 4-90-401 - 4-90-417 |
| California | 2 repair attempts for a defect that might cause death or serious injury or 4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service. 18 months or 18,000 miles | see statute | 1793.22 - 1793.26 |
| Colorado | 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service | the or 1 year | 42-10-101 - 42-10-107 |
| Connecticut | 4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service | the 2 years or 24,000 miles (the Connecticut DCP program page gives 24,000 miles; a law-firm summary gives 18,000) | 42-179 - 42-186 |
| Delaware | 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service | the or 1 year | 5001 - 5009 |
| District of Columbia | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service. 2 years or 18,000 miles | see statute | 50-501 - 50-510 |
| Florida | 3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service. 24 months | see statute | 681.101 681.109 |
| Georgia | 1 repair attempt in the braking or steering system or 3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service for other problems. 1 year or 12,000 miles | see statute | 10-1-782 - 10-1-784 |
| Hawaii | 1 repair attempt for a defect that might cause death or serious injury or 3 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service | the 2 years or 24,000 miles | 481I-1 481I-4 |
| Idaho | 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service | the 2 years or 24,000 miles | 48-901 - 48-913 |
| Illinois | 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service. 1 year or 12,000 miles | see statute | 380/1 - 380/8 |
| Indiana | 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service. 18 months or 18,000 miles | see statute | 24-5-13-1 - 24-5-13-24 |
| Iowa | 1 repair attempt for a defect that might cause death or serious injury or 3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service for other problems. 2 years or 24,000 miles | see statute | 322G.1 - 322G.6 |
| Kansas | 4 repair attempts for the same defect, or 10 repair attempts for separate problems or 30 calendar days out of service | the or 1 year | 50-645 - 50-646 |
| Kentucky | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service. 1 year or 12,000 miles | see statute | 367.840 - 367.846 |
| Louisiana | 4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service | the or 1 year | 51:1941 - 51:1948 |
| Maine | 3 repair attempts or 15 business days out of service 3 years or 18,000 miles | see statute | 1161 - 1169 |
| Maryland | 1 repair attempt in the braking or steering system or 4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service for other problems. 15 months or 15,000 miles. 12 months or 12,000 miles for leased vehicles | see statute | 14-1501 - 14-1504 |
| Massachusetts | 3 repair attempts or 15 business days out of service. 1 year or 15,000 miles | see statute | 90: 7N |
| Michigan | 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service | the or 1 year | 257.1401 - 257.1410 |
| Minnesota | 1 repair attempt in the braking or steering system or 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service for other problems | the or 2 years | 325F.665 |
| Mississippi | 3 repair attempts or 15 business days out of service | the or 1 year | 63-17-151 - 63-17-165 |
| Missouri | 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service | the or 1 year | 407.560 - 407.579 |
| Montana | 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service 2 years or 18,000 miles | see statute | 61-4-501 - 61-4-533 |
| Nebraska | 4 repair attempts or 40 days out of service | the or 1 year | 60-2701 - 60-2709 |
| Nevada | 4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service | the or 1 year | 597.600 - 597.688 |
| New Hampshire | 3 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service | the *plus* 1 year | 357-D:1 - 357-D:12 |
| New Jersey | 3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service. 2 years or 18,000 miles | see statute | 56:12-29 - 56:12-34 |
| New Mexico | 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service | the or 1 year | 57-16A-1 - 57-16A-9 |
| New York | 4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service. 2 years or 18,000 miles | see statute | 198-a |
| North Carolina | 4 repair attempts or more than 20 days out of service during any 12 month period. 2 years or 24,000 miles | see statute | 20-351 - 20-351.11 |
| North Dakota | 3 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service | the or 1 year | 51-07-16 - 51-07-22 |
| Ohio | 3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service. 8 repair attempts for different problems. 1 attempt to repair condition likely to cause death or serious bodily injury. 1 year or 18,000 miles | see statute | 1345.71 - 1345.78 |
| Oklahoma | 4 repair attempts or 45 days out of service | the or 1 year | 901 - 901.1 |
| Oregon | 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service. 1 year or 12,000 miles | see statute | 646A.400 - 646A.418 |
| Pennsylvania | 4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service | the 1 year or 12,000 miles | 1951 - 1963 |
| Rhode Island | 4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service 1 year or 15,000 miles | see statute | 31-5.2-1 - 31-5.2-14 |
| South Carolina | 3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service 1 year or 12,000 miles | see statute | 56-28-10 - 56-28-110 |
| South Dakota | 4 repair attempts plus 1 final attempt. 1 year or 12,000 miles | see statute | 32-6D-1 - 32-6D-11 |
| Tennessee | 4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service | the or 1 year | 55-24-101 - 55-24-112 |
| Texas | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service. 2 repair attempts for a serious safety hazard | the or 1 year | 2301.601 - 2301.613 |
| Utah | 4 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service | the or 1 year | 13-20-2 - 13-20-8 |
| Vermont | 3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service | see statute | 4170 - 4181 |
| Virginia | 3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service. 1 repair attempt for a serious safety defect. 18 months | see statute | 59.1-207.9 - 59.1-207.16.1 |
| Washington | 4 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service. 2 attempts for a serious safety defect. 2 years or 24,000 miles | see statute | 19.118.005 - 19.118.041 |
| West Virginia | 3 repair attempts or 30 calendar days out of service. 1 attempt for a condition likely to cause death or serious bodily injury | the or 1 year | 46A-6A-1 - 46A-6A-9 |
| Wisconsin | 4 repair attempts or 30 days out of service | the or 1 year | 218.0171 |
| Wyoming | 3 repair attempts or 30 business days out of service. 1 year | see statute | 40-17-101 |
Has the replacement part I am buying been recalled?
NHTSA lists 25 equipment recalls that name transmission since 2015 (power train), covering 797,809 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Zf North America, Inc. in 2016, covered 505,000.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Zf North America, Inc.: Sensor Cluster | automatic transmission control. | certain Transmission Control Sensor Clusters manufactured May 1, 2013, to July 15, 2014. | 505,000 |
| 2026 | Dorman Products, Inc.: Transmission Gearshift Cable | shift linkage/cable/rod | certain Dorman Transmission Gearshift Cables, with part numbers 905-146, 905-644, 905-142, and Solutions. | 92,791 |
| 2018 | Eaton Corporation: Eca Clutch | clutch assembly | certain ECA heavy-duty truck clutches, part numbers 122002-35, 122002-35A, 122002-42, and 122002-42A, for use. | 79,102 |
| 2025 | Ford Motor Company: 10r80 Reman Transmission | automatic transmission | certain 10R80 re-manufactured automatic transmissions, that were used as service repair parts for 2017-2021. | 34,481 |
| 2025 | Chrysler (Fca Us, Llc): Gear Shift Control Cable | automatic transmission lever and. | certain Mopar Gear Shift Control Cables with part numbers 68164081AB, 68085873AD, and 68085873AE. | 32,328 |
| 2019 | Aisin World Corp. Of America: Trans. Control Module | automatic transmission control. | certain Transmission Control Modules (TCM), part numbers PSPD189E1, PEFB189E1B, PAC6189E1A, PEFB189E1A. | 24,265 |
| 2023 | Allison Transmission, Inc.: B3400, B400 Series. | driveline driveshaft | certain models B3400xFE_R and B400R, with part numbers B3400xFE_R and B400R. | 8,498 |
| 2025 | Chrysler (Fca Us, Llc): Power Transfer Unit | power train | certain MOPAR Power Transfer Units, with part numbers 68333255AA and 68307403AC. | 6,979 |
| 2020 | Chrysler (Fca Us Llc): Power Transfer Unit | driveline differential unit | certain Two-Speed Power Transfer Units (PTU) sold as replacement parts for certain Jeep Cherokee vehicles. | 2,669 |
| 2025 | Zf North America, Inc.: Transmission Control Unit | manual transmission | ZF North America, Inc. (ZF) submitted a defect information report based upon the recall determinations made. | 2,312 |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 91 foreign recall campaigns that name transmission with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Subaru of America in 2026-09.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09 | Subaru. | 151 | In the worst case, the parking lock may not function when the transmission is shifted into the Park (P) position. |
| 2025-07 | Hyundai Motor America | 090 | Description of the defect/noncompliance: The subject vehicles are equipped with a transmission gear shift cable that can become disconnected during operation of the shift lever. |
| 2026-06 | Ford Motor Company | 088 | Sincerely, for: emily frascaroli attachment docusign envelope id: 5acb9cad-e583-8c95-8066-e043d43d2df1 global recall process report of field action manufacturer ford � europe type of action safety field action number 26s49 subject unseated transmission snap. |
| 2026-05 | Mercedes-Benz | 078 | Description of Concern (required) Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that on certain CLA (118 platform), A-Class (177 platform) and GLA/GLB (247 platform) vehicles, the transmission control unit software might not meet specifications. |
| 2025-03 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 044 | Due to the programing of the BSM software, when a connected trailer is detected by the BSM sensors, the detection zone may not extend to include the trailer after cycling the ignition, setting the parking brake for a specific period of time with ignition on. |
| 2026-03 | Ford Motor Company | 034 | Sincerely, for: emily frascaroli, attachment docusign envelope id: de513d1b-f61b-4a9a-a773-2d2c41fcd44d global recall process report of field action manufacturer ford � europe type of action compliance field action number 26c13 subject transmission control. |
| 2026-02 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 027 | Date: February 18, 2026 Foreign Safety Recall / Other Safety Campaign Report Subject: Transmission issue on certain Lexus LX600 vehicles 1. |
| 2025-03 | Mercedes-Benz | 025 | Identification of Vehicles Make Line Model Inclusive Dates of Manufacture Year Mercedes- G-Class (465 platform): Mercedes-AMG 2025 February 11, 2025 - February 17, Benz G 63 2025 Total Number of Vehicles Potentially Affected Approximately 30 Model Year ("MY"). |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 67 NHTSA recalls that name transmission filed 2015 to 2024, 71.5% of the 10,034,135 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 2,861,447 vehicles still carrying the defect.
| Year | Vehicles | Recalled vehicles | Repaired | Component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Ford Fusion, Edge | 2,925,968 | 66.9% | shift linkage/cable/rod |
| 2017 | Ram 2500, 4500; Dodge Ram 5500, Ram 4500 | 1,482,874 | 61.7% | automatic transmission lever and. |
| 2016 | Dodge Charger; Chrysler 300 | 811,290 | 80.8% | automatic transmission control. |
| 2024 | Ford F-150 | 552,188 | 54.8% | automatic transmission control. |
| 2019 | Ford Transit | 293,558 | 49.5% | driveline driveshaft |
| 2024 | Toyota Tundra, Tundra Hybrid; Lexus Lx | 280,663 | 96.4% | automatic transmission |
| 2022 | Ram 3500, 2500 | 250,079 | 75.2% | automatic transmission |
| 2020 | Acura Ilx, Ilx Hybrid; Honda Civic Hybrid, Fit | 248,358 | 71.4% | driveline driveshaft |
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 transmission replacement since model year 2015, covering about 1,706,440 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 transmission replacement since model year 2015 | 8 recall campaigns covering about 1,706,440 vehicles |
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24V-797 | Chevrolet Tahoe 2021; GMC Sierra 3500 2020–2022; Chevrolet Silverado 2500 2020–2022 and 9 more | 463,295 | Rear wheel lock-up can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 25V-863 | Ford F-150 Lightning BEV 2022–2026; Ford Maverick 2025–2026; Ford Mustang Mach E 2024–2026 | 272,645 | A loss of park function can allow the vehicle to rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 22V-835 | RAM 3500 2020–2022; RAM 2500 2020–2023 | 250,079 | Leaking transmission fluid may contact an ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 22V-671 | Nissan Titan 2020–2023; Nissan Frontier 2020–2022 | 197,230 | A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash. |
| 22V-457 | Nissan Titan 2020–2022; Nissan Frontier 2020–2022 | 180,176 | A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash. |
| 23V-301 | RAM Promaster 2019–2021 | 165,503 | A partially engaged park pawl can result in a vehicle rollaway, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. |
| 25V-148 | Cadillac CT4 2020–2021; Cadillac CT6 2019–2020; Cadillac CT5 2020–2021 and 1 more | 90,081 | Wheel lock-up while driving increases the risk of a crash. |
| 20V-043 | RAM 2500 2019–2020; RAM 3500 2019–2020 | 87,431 | The leaking transmission fluid may contact the turbocharger or another ignition source within the engine compartment, increasing the risk of a fire. |
NHTSA defect investigations naming this part (5)
| Case number | Vehicles | Opened | Status | What NHTSA looked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EA26001 | Ford F-150 2015–2017 | Jan 30, 2026 | Open | Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel. |
| PE25002 | Ford F-150 2015–2017 | Mar 21, 2025 | Closed Jan 30, 2026 | Unintended transmission downshift and rear wheel. |
| PE24009 | RAM 3500 2022 | Mar 27, 2024 | Open | 2022 RAM transmission snap ring. |
| PE23016 | Chevrolet Express Cutaway VAN 2016–2022; GMC Savana 2016–2022 | Sep 27, 2023 | Closed Jan 10, 2025 | 6L90 Transmission. |
| PE22008 | Chrysler Pacifica 2018–2024; Chrysler Pacifica Plug-IN Hybrid 2018–2022 | Jul 22, 2022 | Closed Mar 27, 2024 | Transmission fault leading to loss of motive. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subaru | Outback 2018–2026; Legacy 2018–2025 and 3 more | 16-158-26 | Aug 20, 2026 | This bulletin provides guidance when diagnosing chain slip, judder, shudder, and hesitation concerns on the TR580 model CVT transmissions used in the models listed. |
| Mercedes-Benz | GLA 250 4matic 2021–2023; GLA 250 2021–2023 and 13 more | LI27.19-P-080823 | Aug 4, 2026 | Complaint Customers may report one or more of the following: Transmission malfunction message Check engine light illuminated Shifts into N Concern disappears after ignition cycle When performing a quick test, the following fault code is stored in Y3/14. |
| Dodge | Charger 2026; Charger EV 2026 | 08-289-26 REV. A | Jul 30, 2026 | Transmission Control Module (TCM) Diagnostic N/A - This bulletin was released in error. |
| Hyundai | Sonata 2025–2026 | 26-01-060H WebDCS | Jul 27, 2026 | Certain Sonata (DN8) vehicles may exhibit a transmission oil leak at the bottom of the valve body cover due to a loose oil level plug that could potentially lead to a total failure of the automatic transmission. |
| Jeep | Grand Cherokee L 2026; Grand Wagoneer 2026 and 1 more | 08-289-26 | Jul 22, 2026 | Transmission Control Module (TCM) Diagnostic Customers may experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: Exhibit/set one or more of the following DTCs: P2797-00 - Auxiliary Transmission Fluid Pump Performance. |
| Jeep | Compass 2026 | 21-058-26 | Jul 21, 2026 | Transmission Oil Pump - Service Transmission Message Customers must experience a Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) illumination, and the vehicle must SYMPTOM: Exhibit/set the following Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC): U0287-00 - Lost Communication. |
20 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 (40)
| Maker | Vehicles | Date | Notice number | What the maker extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche | 718 Boxster 2016–2022; 911 2012–2022; Macan 2014–2026 and 1 more | Aug 6, 2026 | 18/26 | Transmission electronics control. |
| Cadillac | CT4 2020–2021; CT5 2020–2021; CT6 2019–2020 and 6 more | Apr 20, 2026 | N252536751 | Transmission control valve wear causing harsh shifting or reduced. |
| Chevrolet | Camaro 2020–2022; Camaro 2020–2021; Silverado 1500 2020–2022 and 11 more | Apr 20, 2026 | N252536751 | Transmission control valve wear causing harsh shifting or reduced. |
| GMC | Sierra 1500 2020–2022; Sierra 2500 2020–2022; Sierra 3500 2020–2022 and 6 more | Apr 20, 2026 | N252536751 | Transmission control valve wear causing harsh shifting or reduced. |
| Nissan | Altima 2017–2018; Altima 2013–2016; Juke 2013–2017 and 10 more | Oct 21, 2025 | WBI/21-002 | CVT assembly, internal components, valve body, torque converter. |
35 more extension notices name this part: Chrysler, Ford, Lincoln, Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Infiniti, Land Rover, Jeep, RAM, Dodge, Buick, Subaru. Ask the dealer whether one covers your car.
What do owners say?
4 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
Cadillac dealer said it is torgue converter issue, car transmission needs to be fluid exchanged for $800.
Dealership claims transmission is out and will repair it for $7,7700 dollars.
I paid $2,373.20 for repairs to the clutches/transmission for our daughter's 2015 ford focus.
I was able to purchase a transmission shift cable bushing repair kit for $35 off of amazon.
Check your car
The calculator's default estimate is $2,574–$4,806, for a total rebuild of an automatic at a $120/hr shop rate. Moving from a rebuild to a full replacement, from a domestic to a European car, or from an independent shop to a dealer pushes it up most.
What does the price cover, and what does it leave out?
The estimate covers parts and labor for the job named beside it, at the shop rate shown. It does not cover a second problem found once the transmission is out, a new cooler or lines, a tow, a rental car or local taxes. Those show up on the final bill, not the estimate. Ask which of them the quote includes before you agree.
How do the calculator's ranges change by setting?
The calculator prices the job type, the transmission type, the make and the shop. It does not price new, remanufactured and used units separately, so ask your shop which one is in the quote. Here is how the ranges move:
| Setting | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Fluid flush, automatic | $123–$294 |
| Total rebuild, manual | $2,304–$4,334 |
| Total rebuild, Asian import | $2,724–$5,156 |
| Total rebuild, European or luxury | $3,924–$7,956 |
| Total rebuild, independent shop (~$100/hr) | $2,370–$4,530 |
| Total rebuild, dealership (~$175/hr) | $3,135–$5,565 |
| Full replacement, automatic | $3,678–$9,132 |
A rebuild repairs the failed parts in your unit. A replacement swaps the whole unit, which costs more; ask what warranty each carries. Adding a pan drop, filter and gasket did not change the estimate.
How do I tell it is the transmission, and how urgent is it?
Slipping, a delay before the car moves, harsh or flaring shifts, a burning smell or red fluid under the car all point toward the transmission. A shop should confirm it before anyone quotes a replacement. A scan for stored codes and a fluid check are cheaper than guessing.
If the car will not move in gear, stop driving it and tow it. If it shifts badly but moves, limit driving to the shop. Ongoing slipping can turn a repair into a replacement. The owner reports and recalls above show how often this part fails.
How do I get a fair quote?
Get two written quotes for the same job. Name the job exactly: rebuild or replacement, new, remanufactured or used, and automatic or manual. Then compare them with the estimate for your car and shop type.
- Ask what warranty comes with the unit and the labor, and what voids it.
- Ask whether the cooler, lines and fluid are included.
- Ask what happens if the diagnosis changes after the unit is out.
- Ask for the old parts back.
A range that wide is a reason to quote your own car, not to trust any single number.
What does the estimate leave out?
It does not know your car's condition, local labor rates beyond the three shop rates shown, or whether your car is worth the repair. On an older car, compare the quote with what the car is worth before deciding. It also cannot see what a technician finds on the lift. Treat it as a range to check a quote against, not a price a shop must honor.
Frequently asked questions
Is a rebuild cheaper than a replacement?
In the calculator, yes: a total rebuild starts well below a full replacement for the same car and shop. A rebuild fixes the failed parts. A replacement swaps the unit.
Does the shop's hourly rate matter?
Yes. The same rebuild is estimated lower at an independent shop than at a dealership, because labor is a large share of the job.
Can I just change the fluid instead?
A flush is a maintenance job, not a fix for a failing transmission. Ask a technician to diagnose the problem first.
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 defect investigation 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
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Table 1-26a: Average Age of Automobiles and Trucks in Operation in the United States data from 2025
- EIA State Energy Data System, motor gasoline consumption, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- FTC Consumer Sentinel Network Data Book 2024, joined to NHTSA owner complaints file downloaded 2026-10-06
- BLS Producer Price Index, commodity data for motor vehicle parts (series WPU1412050310); BLS Consumer Price Index item SETD for the repair row file downloaded August 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2017 Economic Census, Other Services, revenue from labor charges and parts installed (EC1781LABOR) file downloaded 2017 data, published 2021
- Federal Reserve Board, Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2025 (SHED), tables 23 and 24, figure 23 file downloaded 2026 report on 2025 survey
- BLS Employment Cost Index (installation, maintenance and repair occupations, private industry) and Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (other services, NAICS 81) file downloaded 2026 Q02
- Connecticut DCP Lemon Law annual report (2025), data.ct.gov Lemon Law Arbitration Decisions, Texas DMV Lemon Law Annual Report FY2020, New York Attorney General (1999 release on 1998 results) data from 2026
- State lemon-law statutes, summarized with the statute text by Car Lemon (Justia state pages); Connecticut checked against the CT Department of Consumer Protection data from 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; Federal Reserve Board data, cite the source.
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 2026-10-06: our default's midpoint is 20% below the middle of the median of 4 published guides. Methodology