Also called: air conditioning compressor
Across 17 popular vehicles
The compressor is the pump at the heart of the air conditioning system, driven by the serpentine belt. It is the most expensive single part in the system, and when it fails internally it sends metal debris through the lines, so a proper repair usually includes flushing the system and replacing the drier.
A single national average hides the thing you actually want to know, which is whether your car sits at the cheap or expensive end. Usually it is access rather than the part that moves the price: the same component can take an hour on one engine layout and most of a day on another.
| Vehicle | Parts | Labor | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 Dodge RAM 1500 | $429–$581 | $643–$871 | $1,072–$1,452 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 | $490–$662 | $599–$811 | $1,089–$1,473 |
| 2017 RAM 1500 | $435–$589 | $654–$884 | $1,089–$1,473 |
| 2008 Ford Escape | $436–$590 | $654–$884 | $1,090–$1,474 |
| 2015 GMC Sierra 2500hd | $440–$596 | $661–$895 | $1,101–$1,491 |
| 2016 Mazda Mazda3 | $393–$531 | $728–$986 | $1,121–$1,517 |
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 | $449–$607 | $672–$910 | $1,121–$1,517 |
| 2019 Toyota Camry | $643–$871 | $527–$713 | $1,170–$1,584 |
| 2020 Toyota Tacoma | $643–$871 | $527–$713 | $1,170–$1,584 |
| 2014 Nissan Rogue | $528–$714 | $644–$872 | $1,172–$1,586 |
| 2016 Volkswagen Jetta | $647–$876 | $530–$716 | $1,177–$1,592 |
| 2011 Honda Civic | $468–$634 | $870–$1,176 | $1,338–$1,810 |
| 2012 Honda CR-V | $468–$634 | $870–$1,176 | $1,338–$1,810 |
| 2023 Ford F-150 | $545–$603 | $819–$905 | $1,364–$1,508 |
| 2023 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid | $771–$853 | $631–$697 | $1,402–$1,550 |
| 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | $771–$853 | $631–$697 | $1,402–$1,550 |
| 2015 Ford Mustang | $872–$1,180 | $1,307–$1,769 | $2,179–$2,949 |
Swipe sideways to see all columns.
The ranges above cover a spread of vehicles. Enter a VIN and the report gives the estimate for that exact year, make, model and trim, alongside what the car has actually been through: accidents, title brands, odometer readings and open recalls.
Not urgent mechanically, but running a failing compressor spreads debris through the system and turns a compressor replacement into a full system rebuild.
Expect $920–$2,949 in total: $393–$1,180 for parts and $527–$1,769 for labor. Figures are drawn from 17 popular vehicles, so your car may sit at either end.
Air that is no longer cold at the coldest setting. A rattle or squeal when the air conditioning switches on. The clutch on the front of the compressor not engaging. Refrigerant needing topping up repeatedly.
Access is usually the reason rather than the part itself. Across the vehicles we sampled, a 2000 Dodge RAM 1500 comes to $1,072–$1,452 while a 2015 Ford Mustang comes to $2,179–$2,949 for the same job.
Enter your VIN. The report includes the repair cost estimates for that specific year, make, model and trim, alongside its history: accidents, title brands, odometer readings and open recalls.
About these figures. Parts and labor ranges are supplied by a licensed vehicle-data provider and reflect a sample of 17 popular vehicles as of 2026-09-17. They are estimates for comparison, not quotes. What you actually pay depends on your vehicle, your local labor rate, whether the shop fits original-equipment or aftermarket parts, and what else is found once the job starts. Always get a written quote before authorising work.