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 ($369)MiddleHigher-cost states ($470)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $470 and AR the lowest at $369, 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?
275 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 51%.
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 275 owner complaints naming this part, being towed is the outcome owners report most often.
What it shows: Towed is the largest at 17, followed by Crash reported at 6; the smallest shown is Injury reported at 2.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
Among the 275 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 72 (26%), followed by 2016 at 49 (18%); the smallest shown is 2025 at 7 (3%).
Which drive types show up most in complaints about this part?
Among 219 owner complaints about this part where the VIN identifies the vehicle, 31% involve vehicles with AWD/All-Wheel Drive, against 16% of complaints about all the parts we track.
What it shows: AWD/All-Wheel Drive is the largest at 31%, followed by 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 at 25%; the smallest shown is FWD/Front-Wheel Drive at 11%.
Has the replacement part I am buying been recalled?
NHTSA lists 8 equipment recalls that name wheel bearing since 2015 (suspension and steering), covering 13,835 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Saf-Holland in 2022, covered 7,040.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Saf-Holland: Ulx40 | hub | certain ULX40 trailer axles, part number 1004300026950. | 7,040 |
| 2017 | Bearing Technologies Ltd: Edge | front hub | certain Duralast Wheel Spindles, part number DL930676K, sold as a service part for the front wheel hub. | 4,284 |
| 2017 | Ford Motor Company: Wheel Hub Bearing | hub | certain Wheel Hub Bearing assemblies, part number HB5Z-1104-C, incorrectly listed as being for installation. | 630 |
| 2015 | Timken Company: Escape | front wheel bearing | certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to. | 576 |
| 2022 | Lippert: Axle Hub Assembly | multiple axle | certain hub assemblies produced for use in the Utility market, Brake Hub - 865H-5/8 part number: 243185. | 404 |
| 2017 | Timken Company: Rear Hub Unit Bearing | rear | certain Rear Hub Unit Bearings, part numbers HB5Z1104A and HA590446 sold by Timken for installation on. | 400 |
| 2025 | Timken Company: Wheel Hub Bearing | hub | certain model TP1HUBA wheel hub bearings sold on or before December 31, 2024. | 370 |
| 2023 | Hendrickson Usa. L.L.C.: Composilite | linkages knuckle | certain COMPOSILITE EXS20 and SC20 Lift Axles. | 131 |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 12 foreign recall campaigns that name wheel bearing with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Toyota Motor Corporation in 2024-11.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-12 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 283 | Description of Problem: The subject vehicles are equipped with a steering system that uses a lower universal joint (u-joint) with needle bearings to connect the intermediate steering shaft to the steering gear assembly (which controls the front wheels). |
| 2024-11 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 255 | Description of Problem: The subject vehicles drive the front wheels with two front-axle shafts. |
| 2024-09 | Ford Motor Company | 199 | Sincerely, for: emily frascaroli, attachment docusign envelope id: af7822cb-fda3-427a-b78f-4b7735eb739b global recall process report of field action manufacturer eu - europe type of action s - safety recall field action number 24s57 subject rear hub bearing. |
| 2020-08 | Mercedes-Benz - DBA Sprinter | 143 | The issue only concerns eSprinter vehicles with electric drive powertrain and front-wheel-drive (FWD) due to the specific drive system that is different to vehicles with combustion engine and rear drive sold produced for the US market. |
| 2023-07 | Volkswagen Group. | 117 | 248-754-5000 Phone Washington, DC 20590 248-754-5093 Fax July 06, 2023 Date Subject: Notification of Recall Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 579.11 (a) Wheel Bearing Housing Dear Dr. |
| 2020-06 | Mercedes-Benz | 098 | Identification of Vehicles Make Line Model Year Inclusive Dates of Manufacture Mercedes-Benz GLK (204 platform): GLK 2012 - 2014 Oct 04, 2011 - Oct 31, 2013 220 CDI 4MATIC, GLK 220 CDI 4MATIC BlueEFFICIENCY S-Class (221 platform): S 500 4MATIC, S 500 4MATIC. |
| 2023-03 | Mazda Motor. | 051 | Yours sincerely, Joshua Vella Director, Vehicle Quality & Safety Mazda North American Operations Mazda North American Operations 200 Spectrum Center Drive, Suite 100 Irvine, CA 92618 T (949) 727-1990 Page 2 Foreign Safety Recall / Other Safety Campaign Report. |
| 2021-02 | Mercedes-Benz - DBA Sprinter | 036 | The issue only concerns EQV/eVito vehicles with electric drive powertrain and front-wheel-drive (FWD) due to the specific drive system that is different to vehicles with combustion engine and rear drive sold produced for the US market. |
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 7 recall campaigns for parts matched to a wheel bearing replacement since model year 2015, covering about 856 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 wheel bearing replacement since model year 2015 | 7 recall campaigns covering about 856 vehicles |
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17E-048 | Ford Explorer 2015–2017 | 630 | A loss of the wheel or wheel end can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 17V-651 | Mercedes-Benz Metris 2017 | 109 | The loss of a front wheel would increase the risk of a crash. |
| 24V-911 | Toyota RAV4 2024; Lexus NX 2025 | 70 | A damaged brake line can cause a brake fluid leak, reducing brake performance and increasing the distance required to stop the vehicle. |
| 21V-812 | Volkswagen Atlas 2021; Volkswagen Passat 2021; Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport 2021 | 30 | The bolts may loosen and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 19V-879 | Volkswagen Jetta 2019; Volkswagen Golf Alltrack 2019; Volkswagen Golf 2019 | 8 | The excessive stress can cause steering, traction or other stability issues or breakage relating to the front wheels, and increase the risk of a crash. |
| 16V-649 | Maserati Ghibli 2015 | 7 | Wheel bearing failure may adversely affect vehicle handling, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 24V-909 | BMW X3 2025 | 2 | A loss of vehicle handling and control increases 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge | Charger EV 2024–2027; Charger 2026–2027 | 02-007-26 | Aug 20, 2026 | Front Wheel Bearing Click Noise Issue Customers may comment on the following: SYMPTOM: Single or multiple clicking noises from the front wheels during static or very low speed steering maneuvers (left or right). |
| Lexus | ES Hybrid 2019–2022; ES350 2019–2022 and 1 more | L-TT-0321-22 | Nov 10, 2022 | TT: Confirm there is an abnormal noise coming from the front of the vehicle, some customers describe the noise as a roaring type noise. |
| Chrysler | Pacifica 2020–2021; Voyager 2020–2021 | Y97 | Apr 14, 2022 | Customer satisfaction notification Y97 hub. |
| Audi | Q7 2017–2023; RS Q8 2020–2023 and 24 more | A402237202431811 | Mar 29, 2022 | This bulletin describes the proper procedure to address a clicking or clacking noise from the wheel. |
| Mazda | CX-3 2016–2021; Mazda2 2015–2021 and 7 more | SA-006-22 | Feb 28, 2022 | There have been warranty claims submitted for growling or bearing whine noise in differentials, transfer units and transmissions where the source of the noise was a wheel bearing. |
| Acura | RDX 2021 | BTI&11162021903 | Nov 16, 2021 | Dealer Message - American Honda Motor Co., Inc. |
45 more bulletins name this part; the car finder at the top checks yours, and the NHTSA bulletin file linked below lists them all.
What do owners say?
4 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
Recommend replacing both rear wheel bearings due to noise while driving $2,249.
Right rear sealed wheel bearing failed and was just replaced at 50,564 miles at a cost of $1,142,82, parts, tax, and labor.
Within 55,000 miles I needed to replace both of my front wheel bearings, for an approximate cost of $1,000.
On february 25, 2020, I went through another multipoint inspection, and this time, the technician found both rear wheel bearings noisy and recommended replacing them for $1155.oo plus tax and my car had 69057 miles.
Check your car
Our calculator's default estimate for one front wheel bearing is $304–$545, using a budget aftermarket part at a $120/hr shop. Three things move it most: the part grade, the shop's hourly rate, and how many bearings you replace.
What does the estimate cover, and what does it leave out?
The estimate is for one bearing on one front wheel: the part, the labor and nothing else. It assumes a budget aftermarket part and a $120/hr shop, and it is scaled to your state's price level in the state table on this page.
It leaves out sales tax, shop fees, a wheel alignment, and any part that failed alongside the bearing. Ask the shop to check the nearby suspension parts while the wheel is off, and to quote anything extra before it starts.
How do part grade, shop and number of bearings change the price?
Each row below changes one setting from the default and leaves the rest alone.
| Setting changed | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Default: 1 front bearing, budget aftermarket, $120/hr | $304–$545 |
| 1 rear bearing | $228–$431 |
| Quality aftermarket part (Timken, SKF, Moog) | $342–$697 |
| OEM or dealer original part | $431–$888 |
| Independent shop, about $100/hr | $266–$482 |
| Dealership, about $175/hr | $410–$720 |
| 2 front bearings (both sides, same axle) | $552–$995 |
| 4 bearings (all wheels) | $1,046–$1,896 |
The OEM part adds more than any other single change, and a dealership adds the next most. Ask whether your car uses a bolt-on hub assembly or a pressed-in bearing, because the second takes more shop time.
How do I know it's the wheel bearing, and how urgent is it?
A humming, growling or grinding noise that changes with speed is the classic sign, and a steering wheel that vibrates or a tire that wears on one side can point the same way. A shop can confirm it by spinning the wheel and checking for play.
Treat a worsening noise as urgent. A bearing that fails completely can damage the hub and, in the worst case, let the wheel come loose. Book the repair this week and avoid highway driving until it is done.
How do I get a fair quote?
Ask the shop for four things in writing: which wheel or wheels, the part brand and grade, the hourly rate, and whether an alignment is included. Compare those lines to the table above rather than comparing one total to another shop's total.
Ask for the old bearing back. It shows the part was replaced.
What is the estimate not telling me?
It is a model of parts and labor, not a quote. Shop rates and hub design can push a real job above or below it, and the shop's itemized quote is the number that counts.
If your quote is far outside both and the shop cannot say why, get a second quote.
Frequently asked questions
Should I replace both bearings on the same axle?
Not automatically. Replace the bearing that is confirmed worn. If the other side is noisy or loose when the shop checks it, doing both in one visit saves a second labor charge, and the table shows the two-bearing price.
Can I keep driving on a noisy bearing?
Only to the shop. The noise means the bearing is wearing, and a failing one can damage the hub or let the wheel come loose.
Will my insurance cover it?
Usually not. A bearing wears out over time, so it is treated as maintenance; check your warranty first if the car is new.
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
- NHTSA owner complaint files with VINs decoded by NHTSA vPIC data from 2025
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, Foreign Campaigns (filings under 49 CFR 579.11, public API) 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 ($346–$504) on 2026-10-06: our default's midpoint is 0% below the middle of that range. Methodology