Also called: 12v battery
Across 16 popular vehicles
A conventional lead-acid battery lasts three to five years, less in hot climates. Cost is mostly the part rather than the labour, but cars with stop-start systems need an AGM or EFB battery that costs considerably more, and many need the new battery registered to the charging system afterwards.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Ford Mustang | $120–$162 | $25–$33 | $145–$195 |
| 2012 Honda CR-V | $111–$150 | $61–$81 | $172–$231 |
| 2019 Toyota Camry | $104–$141 | $69–$94 | $173–$235 |
| 2008 Ford Escape | $138–$187 | $35–$47 | $173–$234 |
| 2011 Honda Civic | $113–$152 | $61–$81 | $174–$233 |
| 2022 Hyundai Tucson | $131–$178 | $44–$59 | $175–$237 |
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 | $117–$158 | $63–$86 | $180–$244 |
| 2016 Mazda Mazda3 | $119–$160 | $64–$87 | $183–$247 |
| 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | $113–$133 | $75–$89 | $188–$222 |
| 2023 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid | $117–$137 | $77–$93 | $194–$230 |
| 2017 Hyundai Elantra | $146–$198 | $49–$66 | $195–$264 |
| 2020 Toyota Tacoma | $120–$163 | $80–$109 | $200–$272 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 | $132–$178 | $70–$95 | $202–$273 |
| 2000 Dodge RAM 1500 | $167–$225 | $44–$60 | $211–$285 |
| 2014 Nissan Rogue | $160–$216 | $54–$72 | $214–$288 |
| 2016 Volkswagen Jetta | $144–$196 | $96–$131 | $240–$327 |
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.
A failing battery makes the alternator work harder and can leave you stranded without warning in cold weather. Most shops will test it free before you commit to a replacement.
Expect $129–$356 in total: $104–$225 for parts and $25–$131 for labor. Figures are drawn from 16 popular vehicles, so your car may sit at either end.
Slow cranking, or a click instead of a crank. Headlights dimming noticeably at idle. Dashboard warnings that appear and clear at random. The battery needing a jump after standing a few days.
Access is usually the reason rather than the part itself. Across the vehicles we sampled, a 2015 Ford Mustang comes to $145–$195 while a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta comes to $240–$327 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 16 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.