Also called: coolant thermostat
Across 19 popular vehicles
The thermostat is a temperature-operated valve that keeps coolant in the engine until it reaches operating temperature, then opens to let it flow to the radiator. It is a cheap part, and the cost difference between cars is almost entirely how buried the housing is.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 RAM 1500 | $77–$105 | $311–$421 | $388–$526 |
| 2000 Dodge RAM 1500 | $78–$106 | $313–$423 | $391–$529 |
| 2012 Jeep Wrangler | $101–$137 | $304–$412 | $405–$549 |
| 2019 Toyota Camry | $105–$143 | $316–$428 | $421–$571 |
| 2020 Toyota Tacoma | $105–$143 | $316–$428 | $421–$571 |
| 2016 Mazda Mazda3 | $85–$115 | $338–$458 | $423–$573 |
| 2011 Honda Civic | $108–$146 | $323–$437 | $431–$583 |
| 2012 Honda CR-V | $108–$146 | $323–$437 | $431–$583 |
| 2014 Nissan Rogue | $86–$116 | $345–$467 | $431–$583 |
| 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee | $108–$147 | $325–$441 | $433–$588 |
| 2016 Mazda CX-5 | $91–$123 | $362–$490 | $453–$613 |
| 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 | $115–$155 | $344–$466 | $459–$621 |
| 2023 Toyota Rav4 Hybrid | $114–$134 | $349–$393 | $463–$527 |
| 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid | $114–$134 | $349–$393 | $463–$527 |
| 2008 Ford Escape | $141–$191 | $329–$445 | $470–$636 |
| 2023 Ford F-150 | $144–$168 | $343–$387 | $487–$555 |
| 2015 GMC Sierra 2500hd | $139–$187 | $416–$562 | $555–$749 |
| 2016 Volkswagen Jetta | $133–$180 | $530–$717 | $663–$897 |
| 2015 Ford Mustang | $282–$382 | $658–$890 | $940–$1,272 |
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.
Stuck closed it overheats the engine within minutes. Stuck open it never reaches temperature, which hurts fuel economy and wears the engine faster, but is not an emergency.
Expect $381–$1,272 in total: $77–$382 for parts and $304–$890 for labor. Figures are drawn from 19 popular vehicles, so your car may sit at either end.
The engine takes far too long to warm up, or the heater blows cold. Temperature gauge overheating shortly after starting. The gauge swinging between hot and normal. A check engine light for coolant temperature below thermostat regulating temperature.
Access is usually the reason rather than the part itself. Across the vehicles we sampled, a 2017 RAM 1500 comes to $388–$526 while a 2015 Ford Mustang comes to $940–$1,272 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 19 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.