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 ($591)MiddleHigher-cost states ($753)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $753 and AR the lowest at $591, 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 3 years old (66%), against 40% for all complaints: the biggest difference between the two.
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
47 owner complaints name this part.
What owners describe. Dealer could not fix or repeat repair: 15%; Coolant or fluid leak: 9%; Noise: 4%.
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 model years show up most in the complaints?
Among the 37 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 6 (16%), followed by 2016 at 1 (3%); the smallest shown is 2016 at 1 (3%).
Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?
The federal producer price index for new passenger car tires rose 34.1% 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 passenger car tires, as shops buy them from makers, since December 2019, against consumer prices for motor vehicle repair. New passenger car tires: +34.1%; 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 4 foreign recall campaigns that name winter tire with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Daimler Vans USA in 2026-04.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-12 | Mercedes-Benz | 254 | Description of Issue MBAG has determined that certain MY2020 E-Class (213 platform) vehicles with factory installed winter tires might not have been equipped with the respective speed limit label in the driver's field of view. |
| 2020-12 | Mercedes-Benz | 238 | Description of Issue MBAG determined that on certain MY2020 C-Class Plug-In Hybrid vehicles (205 platform), incorrect tires might have been installed due to a deviation in the production documentation. |
| 2022-04 | Volkswagen Group. | 060 | 248-754-5000 Phone Washington, DC 20590 248-754-5093 Fax April 15, 2022 Date Subject: Notification of Recall Pursuant to 49 CFR Part 579.11 (a) Warning Label for Winter Tires Dear Ms. |
| 2026-04 | Daimler Vans | 049 | Description of Issue Mercedes-Benz AG has determined that for certain Metris (447 platform) vehicles, non- approved winter tires might have been offered by Canadian Mercedes-Benz service partners. |
Was my tire a known defect, and which tire lines has NHTSA recalled?
NHTSA lists 5 tire recall campaigns filed since 2015 (tire recalls that name snow or winter tires), covering 1,764,012 tires; the largest, Amp Mud Terrain Attack M/T in 2024, covered 673,000.
What it shows: Amp Mud Terrain Attack M/T is the largest at 673,000, followed by Michelin Agilis Crossclimate C-Metric at 542,110; the smallest shown is Bridgestone V-Steel Highway Service at 203.
Does vehicle age change how underinflated tires are?
NHTSA's 2001 measurement of 11,530 vehicles found 8% of tires on cars 3 years old or newer underinflated by 8 psi or more against 15% on cars over 6 years old, and 12% against 24% on pickups, SUVs and vans.
Share of tires deviating 8 psi or more from the maker's pressure, by vehicle age, measured in 2001. 3 years or newer, pickups and SUVs: 12%; 3 to 6 years, pickups and SUVs: 15%; Over 6 years, pickups and SUVs: 24%.
How many potholes do big-city drivers report each year?
New Yorkers filed 30,624 to 49,909 pothole requests a year to 311 from 2020 to 2024, and Chicagoans filed 43,237 to 132,939 a year from 2012 to 2018; these are requests in two cities, not a national count.
What it shows: Chicago 2014 is the largest at 132,939, followed by NYC 2020 at 30,624; the smallest shown is NYC 2020 at 30,624.
Where are the roughest state highways in Colorado?
Colorado DOT's 2018 pavement survey puts 20.0% of its 11,345 state highway miles in the LOW drivability-life class, with the share highest in Lincoln County (46.4%), Morgan (42.3%) and Jackson (40.1%); this is one state, not a national figure.
What it shows: Lincoln is the largest at 46.4%, followed by Morgan at 42.3%; the smallest shown is Moffat at 30.5%.
Which counties get the weather that wears this part?
FEMA's National Risk Index puts Worcester County, MA, Niagara County, NY and Middlesex County, MA highest for ice storms, about 2.99 events a year, against 0.70 in the median county. Ice storms are when wiper blades and winter tires do their work.
What it shows: Worcester County, MA is the largest at 2.99, followed by Niagara County, NY at 2.96; the smallest shown is Boone County, AR at 2.21.
Which metro areas drive the most miles per resident?
FHWA's 2022 urbanized-area table shows the most driving per resident in Nashville-Davidson, TN (41.9 vehicle miles a day), Knoxville, TN and Birmingham, AL, against a median of 21.3 across 493 urbanized areas.
What it shows: Nashville-Davidson, TN is the largest at 41.9, followed by Knoxville, TN at 33.0; the smallest shown is San Antonio, TX at 28.0.
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 winter tire since model year 2015, covering about 65 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 winter tire since model year 2015 | 1 recall campaigns covering about 65 vehicles |
How old is this tire? Read the date code.
Under federal rule 49 CFR 574.5 every tire carries a DOT identification number whose final four digits are its date code, two digits for the week and two for the year it was made, so a code of 3524 means week 35 of 2024 and tire age can be read before you buy.
Reading the DOT date code on a tire (49 CFR 574.5). Last four digits of the DOT number: the date code: two digits for the week, two for the year of manufacture what (3524 = made in week 35 of 2024); First two of the four digits: week of the year; 01 is the first full calendar week (Sunday to Saturday) what (35 = the 35th week); Last two of the four digits: year of manufacture what (24 = 2024).
Does my state add a scrap-tire fee to the tire bill?
36 of 50 U.S. states charge a scrap-tire fee on new tires and 14 do not, with flat fees from $0.25 to $5.00 per tire, so four tires add up to $20.00 at the highest flat fee against $0 in states with no fee.
| State | Fee per new tire (as published) | On four tires | Share of $680 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $1.00 | $4.00 | 0.6% |
| Alaska | $2.50 / passenger tire extra $5.00 / studded tire | varies | |
| Arizona | 2% or $2.00 max | varies | |
| Arkansas | $2.00 / new passenger tire extra $3.00 / new truck tire (>20" rim) | varies | |
| California | $1.75 | $7.00 | 1.0% |
| Colorado | $1.25 | $5.00 | 0.7% |
| Connecticut | No state fee | $0.00 | |
| Delaware | $2.00 | $8.00 | 1.2% |
| Florida | $1.00 | $4.00 | 0.6% |
| Georgia | $1.00 | $4.00 | 0.6% |
| Hawaii | No state fee | $0.00 | |
| Idaho | No state fee | $0.00 | |
| Illinois | $2.50 | $10.00 | 1.5% |
| Indiana | $0.25 | $1.00 | 0.1% |
| Iowa | No state fee | $0.00 | |
| Kansas | $0.25 | $1.00 | 0.1% |
| Kentucky | $2.00 | $8.00 | 1.2% |
| Louisiana | $1.25 / recapped or retreaded tire, $2.25 / passenger tire, $5.00 / medium truck tire, $10.00 / off-road tire | varies | |
| Maine | $1.00 | $4.00 | 0.6% |
| Maryland | $0.80 | $3.20 | 0.5% |
| Massachusetts | No state fee | $0.00 | |
| Michigan | $1.50 per vehicle title transfer | varies | |
| Minnesota | No state fee | $0.00 | |
| Mississippi | $1.00 or $2.00 based on size | varies | |
| Missouri | $0.50 | $2.00 | 0.3% |
| Montana | No state fee | $0.00 | |
| Nebraska | $1.00 | $4.00 | 0.6% |
| Nevada | $1.00 | $4.00 | 0.6% |
| New Hampshire | No state fee | $0.00 | |
| New Jersey | $1.50 | $6.00 | 0.9% |
| New Mexico | $1.50 | $6.00 | 0.9% |
| New York | $2.50 | $10.00 | 1.5% |
| North Carolina | 1% on or 2% based on size | varies | |
| North Dakota | No state fee | $0.00 | |
| Ohio | $1.00 | $4.00 | 0.6% |
| Oklahoma | $2.90 or $5.50 or more based on size | varies | |
| Oregon | No state fee | $0.00 | |
| Pennsylvania | $1.00 | $4.00 | 0.6% |
| Rhode Island | $5.00 | $20.00 | 2.9% |
| South Carolina | $2.00 | $8.00 | 1.2% |
| South Dakota | $0.25 | $1.00 | 0.1% |
| Tennessee | $1.35 | $5.40 | 0.8% |
| Texas | No state fee | $0.00 | |
| This page's calculator midpoint | winter tire | $680 | |
| Utah | $1.00 | $4.00 | 0.6% |
| Vermont | No state fee | $0.00 | |
| Virginia | $0.50 | $2.00 | 0.3% |
| Washington | $1.00 | $4.00 | 0.6% |
| West Virginia | $10 / vehicle title transfer | varies | |
| Wisconsin | No state fee | $0.00 | |
| Wyoming | No state fee | $0.00 |
How many miles a year does my kind of vehicle really drive?
In the 2022 National Household Travel Survey, Van owners report driving an average 15,194 miles a year against 13,298 for Pickup owners, and 24.5% of Van owners drive 15,000 miles or more (reported mileage, survey-weighted).
| Vehicle type | Average miles per year | Share driven 15,000 miles or more | Vehicles surveyed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van | 15,194 | 24.5% | 648 |
| Car | 14,950 | 20.6% | 6,232 |
| SUV | 14,351 | 21.5% | 4,479 |
| Pickup | 13,298 | 22% | 2,331 |
How do tires fail, and which failure do owners report most?
Crack leads at 3.
Owners most often describe the failure as "crack". Use the same wording when you describe a problem to a tire shop.
Which tire on the car fails most often?
Driver-side front leads at 3.
Check that tire first, but look at all four: every position is in the reports.
How old were the tires when owners reported the problem?
2 to 3 years leads at 6.
Age of the tire when the owner reported the problem, from the date code molded into the sidewall. 2 to 3 years: 6; 6 to 7 years: 1.
A tire's age is printed on its sidewall as a four-digit date code (week and year): check yours.
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20V-157 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 2019; Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 2019; Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 2019 | 65 | A reduction in traction may result in a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
A bulletin is a repair procedure a maker sends its dealers, not a safety defect: if your maker is listed, ask the dealer whether one covers your car and quote its number.
| Maker | Vehicles | Bulletin number | Date | What it says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porsche | 911 Carrera S 2015–2021; 911 Targa 4 2015–2021 and 1 more | 76-21 | Oct 15, 2021 | Instructions on the manufacturer's certificate for approved winter tires, wheels, and snow chains. |
| Chevrolet | Cheverolet SS 2015–2017; Corvette 2015–2017 and 1 more | 04-03-10-013K | Jan 13, 2017 | This informational bulletin provides information on driving characteristics of rear-wheel drive vehicles and available winter tires. |
| BMW | 640i 2015; 535d 2015 and 6 more | 360114 | Mar 1, 2014 | Fitting Winter Tires Properly to Vehicles with Ceramic Brakes. |
What do owners say?
2 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
The vehicle's original tires were removed in November 2025 for winter tire installation, at which point the odometer showed 6,808 miles.
They claim "all" of audi's 2019 a6's come with "summer tires" on them and getting an "all season" or "winter" tire is not possible unless I pay another $2,690.83 for four more "wheels and winter tires".
Check your car
Winter tire cost lands at $580–$780 for a set of four mid-range crossover or SUV tires, mounted and balanced. That works out to $120–$170 per tire. Vehicle size, brand tier and whether you buy two tires or four move that number most.
What does winter tire cost cover, and what does it leave out?
The estimate is for four mid-range tires on a crossover or SUV, with mounting and balancing included.
It doesn't include a second set of wheels, new tire pressure sensors, studs if you pick a studdable tire, or off-season storage. Those add-ons are how a modest plan turns into a much bigger bill at the counter. Ask the shop which of them are already inside the number you were given.
How does winter tire cost change with size and brand?
Size sets the base price, and brand tier moves it up or down from there. Each row below changes one setting from the default and leaves the rest alone.
| Setting | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Default: crossover/SUV, mid-range, four tires, installed | $580–$780 |
| Compact or sedan | $460–$620 |
| Truck or large SUV | $740–$980 |
| Budget brand | $420–$580 |
| Premium brand | $780–$1100 |
| Two tires only | $290–$390 |
Per tire, a compact runs $90–$130 and a truck runs $160–$220. A premium crossover tire costs $170–$250 each.
Is a premium winter tire worth it?
For most drivers, a mid-range tire is the sweet spot. A budget set saves money up front, but budget tires often use harder rubber that grips less on ice and wears out sooner. Premium tires cost more and pay off if you drive on ice, hills or unplowed roads often.
If you mostly drive plowed city streets, a mid-range set is enough. If your commute crosses rural roads that get plowed late, step up a tier. Pick the tier for your roads, not for the badge on the sidewall.
Should you buy a second set of wheels?
Mounting winter tires on your existing wheels is the cheapest start, but the shop has to dismount and remount your tires twice a year. That adds labor every season and can wear the tire bead over time.
A separate set of wheels costs more now and saves that labor later. It also lets you swap tires at home in under an hour with a jack and a torque wrench. Ask whether the shop sells a wheel-and-tire package, since bundles are often cheaper than buying each part on its own.
How do you get a fair winter tire cost quote?
Ask for an out-the-door price for all four tires, with mounting, balancing, valve stems, disposal of the old tires and tax on separate lines. Tire shops advertise the tire price alone, and the fees show up at the counter.
Then confirm three things. Is it a true winter tire with the three-peak mountain snowflake mark, or an all-season tire sold as a winter option? Is it the same brand and model on all four corners?
And what manufacture date is molded into the sidewall? A tire that has sat on a shelf for years is no bargain, even at a low price.
Run your own vehicle through the calculator and compare. A quote well under the budget row for your size is worth a question about the brand. A quote above the premium row deserves a second shop.
What do drivers ask about winter tire cost?
Can I put winter tires on just two wheels? You can, and the table shows the price, but the grip is uneven. A car with winter tires on one axle only can slide or spin out in a turn or under braking. Buy all four unless the shop gives you a specific reason not to.
Do winter tires pay for themselves? Partly. They only wear in cold months, so your all-season set lasts longer, which offsets some of the cost over a few seasons.
Sources
Data shown on this page
- NHTSA owner complaint file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA recall file file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA service bulletin file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- CalcScrape calculator model scaled by BEA Regional Price Parities data from 2024
- BLS Producer Price Index, commodity data for motor vehicle parts (series WPU07120104); BLS Consumer Price Index item SETD for the repair row file downloaded August 2026
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, Foreign Campaigns (filings under 49 CFR 579.11, public API) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA National Center for Statistics and Analysis, Tire Pressure Special Study: Vehicle Observation Data (DOT HS 809 317) data from 2001
- NYC Open Data 311 Service Requests (erm2-nwe9, descriptor Pothole) and City of Chicago 311 Service Requests - Pot Holes Reported - Historical (7as2-ds3y) data from 2025
- Colorado DOT, Highway Quality in Colorado 2018 (data.colorado.gov skxn-j975), cond field (drivability life class) data from 2018
- FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), county table: annualized frequency per hazard file downloaded 2025-12
- FHWA Highway Statistics 2022, Table HM-72 (urbanized areas: daily vehicle miles per capita) data from 2022
- 49 U.S.C. 30120 (Remedies for defects and noncompliance), text via Cornell Legal Information Institute; NHTSA recall campaigns data from 2026
- eCFR, 49 CFR 574.5 Tire identification requirements (NHTSA) data from 2025
- U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (compiling state statutes), State End-of-Life Tire Legislation Summary, October 2024 file data from 2024
- FHWA, 2022 NextGen National Household Travel Survey, vehicle file 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. 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. Not independently checked: no established price guide publishes a general range for this exact job (looked 2026-10-06), so the default has no outside comparison. Methodology