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 ($491)MiddleHigher-cost states ($625)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $625 and AR the lowest at $491, across 51 states.
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 leak inspection.
| Program and year | Cases | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| 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) |
Has the replacement part I am buying been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 equipment recalls that name transmission leak since 2015 (power train), covering 2,827 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Zf North America, Inc. in 2025, covered 2,312.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 2021 | Borgwarner: Start Stop Accumulator | automatic transmission | certain Ford and GM Start Stop Accumulator (SSA) part# JM5P7P184BE size 180X110X140mm, JM5P7P184CB size. | 515 |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 10 foreign recall campaigns that name transmission leak with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Toyota Motor Corporation in 2026-02.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-10 | Mercedes-Benz | 218 | Description of Issue Daimler AG ("DAG"), the manufacturer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, has determined that on certain Model Year ("MY") 2020 EQC-Class vehicles (293 platform) the bolt in the front axle differential transmission might not meet current. |
| 2020-10 | Mercedes-Benz | 195 | Giuseppe, Page 2 Description of Issue MBAG has determined that on certain MY 2019-2020 A-Class and B-/GLA-/GLB-Class (177 and 247 platform) vehicles, the oil level in the dual clutch transmission might not meet specifications due to a production deviation. |
| 2020-10 | Nissan. | 192 | Nissan received one (1) thermal incident complaint and eight (8) Continuously-Variable Transmission (CVT) oil hose leak claims in China market. |
| 2019-09 | Mercedes-Benz - DBA Sprinter | 180 | Description of Issue Daimler AG has determined that the manual transmission of certain Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles Platform 910 (VS30) was filled with 3.5 liters of oil instead of 2.5 liters of oil. |
| 2022-06 | Mercedes-Benz | 098 | June 10, 2022 Page 2 Description of Issue MBAG has determined that on certain MY 2021 CLA-Class (118 platform), A-Class (177 platform) and B-Class (247 platform) vehicles, the transmission bearing cover mounting might not meet specifications due to a deviation. |
| 2018-03 | Mercedes-Benz | 060 | As a consequence, the pipes could become loose while driving which could lead to a transmission fluid leak. |
| 2020-02 | Mercedes-Benz | 039 | If a bolt were to break while driving, the torque transmission to the axles would be interrupted, leading to a vehicle stall. |
| 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. |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 11 NHTSA recalls that name transmission leak filed 2015 to 2024, 77.5% of the 405,887 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 91,466 vehicles still carrying the defect.
| Year | Vehicles | Recalled vehicles | Repaired | Component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Ram 3500, 2500 | 250,079 | 75.2% | automatic transmission |
| 2023 | Kia Niro Phev, Niro | 121,411 | 79.0% | automatic transmission internal |
| 2021 | Jeep Cherokee | 18,800 | 91.3% | automatic transmission. |
| 2024 | Nissan Sentra | 9,645 | 90.1% | driveline driveshaft |
| 2019 | Volkswagen Jetta Hybrid | 2,167 | 56.9% | automatic transmission |
| 2020 | Porsche Cayenne | 1,805 | 95.8% | automatic transmission cooling. |
| 2021 | Chevrolet Traverse | 639 | 72.3% | automatic transmission |
| 2020 | Audi Q8 | 531 | 97.7% | automatic transmission cooling. |
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 1 recall campaigns for parts matched to a transmission leak inspection since model year 2015, covering about 250,079 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 leak inspection since model year 2015 | 1 recall campaigns covering about 250,079 vehicles |
Which transmission designs are in cars of my age?
EPA's Automotive Trends data show continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) went from 2.3% of new cars in model year 2005 to 28.6% in 2024, while manual transmissions fell from 6.2% to 0.9% (sales-weighted national shares).
| Model year | Manual | Conventional automatic | CVT | Average gears |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 9.7% | 90.2% | 0.0% | 4.1 |
| 2005 | 6.2% | 91.6% | 2.3% | 4.5 |
| 2010 | 3.8% | 85.3% | 11.0% | 5.2 |
| 2014 | 2.8% | 78.3% | 19.0% | 6.0 |
| 2018 | 1.6% | 76.0% | 22.3% | 6.5 |
| 2021 | 0.9% | 72.4% | 26.6% | 7.0 |
| 2024 | 0.9% | 70.5% | 28.6% | 7.0 |
A transmission leak repair after the inspection costs $285–$845 at a dealer when the pan gasket is the source. The leak's source moves the bill most: a cooler line runs $143–$530, and internal seal or hard parts work runs $795–$2,220.
Owners reported leaks on cars 3 years old (median age at failure, 156 complaints).
Volkswagen Jetta and Ford Explorer transmission leak inspections come early, Ford F-150 leaks come late
Owners reported Jetta transmission leaks at a median of 6,500 miles, the lowest of any model in this data. For a Jetta, a leak inspection is most likely a warranty visit, not a bill you pay yourself. Ford Explorer owners reported leaks at a median of 31,000 miles.
The Ford F-150 is at the other end. Owners reported leaks at a median of 72,000 miles, with complaints peaking on 2015, 2018 and 2019 trucks. At that mileage an F-150 owner is usually past powertrain coverage and pays for the inspection and repair.
No owner in these complaints said what they paid, so the calculator's range is the only cost figure on this page.
A quarter of transmission leak complaints came within 8,000 miles
The 25th-percentile mileage in owner reports is 8,000 miles, and the 10th percentile is 4,000. Many of these leaks show up almost as soon as the car is new. A Chevrolet Traverse owner told NHTSA: "With only 1017 miles on vehicle, the transmission leaked all of the fluid out." (NHTSA complaint #11629026)
The 90th percentile is 103,164 miles, so a leak at high mileage is not unusual either. A new leak on a low-mileage car is a reason to go back to the dealer under warranty, not to pay for an inspection out of pocket.
GM bulletins PIP6025 and 25-NA-001 cover transmission leaks on 2024–2025 GM crossovers
GM bulletin PIP6025 tells technicians that transmission fluid can leak in the torque converter housing area because of loose pump bolts. It lists the 2024–2025 Chevrolet Trailblazer and Blazer, GMC Terrain and Acadia, and the 2025 Equinox. Bulletin 25-NA-001 gives repair information for a transmission fluid leak on 2024–2025 Cadillac XT4, XT5 and XT6, Buick Enclave and Encore GX, GMC Acadia and Terrain, and Chevrolet Trailblazer and Traverse.
The Terrain and Equinox each have 7 bulletins in this data, more than any other model. If a dealer inspection on one of these vehicles finds a leak, ask whether a bulletin procedure applies. A bulletin is repair guidance, not a recall, so coverage depends on your warranty.
Owners said the dealer could not find or fix the transmission leak in 17% of complaints
Some described inspections that did not end with a diagnosis. A Honda Civic owner with 26,000 miles told NHTSA they "took the car in and was told to put another 100 miles on the car and bring back to them although they said they found a transmission leak and needed to find the source." (NHTSA complaint #11413922)
Because the source is often not found on the first visit, you may pay for more than one inspection.
Nearly half of transmission leak complaints happened at 55 mph or faster
46% of owners who gave a speed were at highway speed when they noticed the leak, and the median speed was 49 mph. 5% needed a tow. Owners also reported loss of power in 6 complaints and a smoke or burning smell in 6% of complaints. On the highway, fluid that drips onto hot exhaust parts is the risk that matters, so do not keep driving a car that is leaking fluid and smells of burning.
Frequently asked questions
Is a transmission leak dangerous?
46% of owners who gave a speed were at highway speed when they noticed the leak, and 5% needed a tow. Fluid that drips onto hot exhaust parts is the risk that matters.
Sources
Data shown on this page
- CalcScrape calculator model scaled by BEA Regional Price Parities data from 2024
- 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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall flat file (equipment recalls, report type E) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- 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
- U.S. EPA, The 2025 EPA Automotive Trends Report (EPA-420-R-26-001) file downloaded 2026-10
Terms: US government data, public domain.
Modeled: our estimate, not a quote. Observed: records as filed; owner reports are unverified and are not failure rates. 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.
Owner complaints quoted
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 ($61–$90) on 2026-10-06: our default's midpoint is 3% below the middle of that range. Methodology