Same job at other shop types (everything else as set above): Independent shop (~$100/hr) $195–$646 (the headline above) · Chain shop / franchise (~$120/hr) $222–$726 · Dealership (~$175/hr) $296–$948. Each figure applies that shop type's hourly labor rate (market estimates, shown above) to the calculator's own hours and parts assumptions. It is modeled, not a quote.
Check a quote against these ranges
This sets your number beside published ranges and owner-written bills. It is not a verdict: ask the shop what the quote includes (parts grade, labor hours, fees, tax). It runs in your browser and nothing you type is sent anywhere.
How serious did it get for owners?
6% of the 349 complaints report a tow, the most common serious outcome; the other outcomes counted below are rarer, and an owner can file without mentioning one.
What it shows: Towed is the largest at 21, followed by Fire reported at 18; the smallest shown is Crash reported at 1.
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?
349 owner complaints name this part.
Owners most often describe "stalled or lost power", in 26% of these complaints.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
55 mph or faster is the largest group at 36%, out of 111 complaints.
Owners reported it most often at highway speed. Tell the shop what speed it happens at, because that narrows the diagnosis.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
2015 is the most common model year in 349 complaints naming this part (16%); 4 model years account for 57%.
What it shows: 2015 is the largest at 57 (16%), followed by 2016 at 46 (13%); the smallest shown is 2024 at 6 (2%).
Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?
The federal producer price index for new other electrical and electronic equipment rose 26.7% 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 other electrical and electronic equipment, as shops buy them from makers, since December 2019, against consumer prices for motor vehicle repair. New other electrical and electronic equipment: +26.7%; All motor vehicle parts: +17.4%; Motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together: +55.2%.
Has the replacement part I am buying been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 equipment recalls that name battery cable since 2015 (electrical system), covering 692 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Idle Free Systems, Inc. in 2016, covered 507.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Idle Free Systems, Inc.: Aux Power Interface | wiring | certain IFS Auxiliary Power Units with the Reefer-type trailer Link Kit option manufactured January 1, 2010. | 507 |
| 2022 | Proterra Operating Company, Inc.: Hvjb Dc Link | propulsion system cables | certain High Voltage Junction Box (HVJB) DC Links, with part number 051071. | 185 |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 16 foreign recall campaigns that name battery cable with NHTSA since 2015; the latest, from Hino Motors Sales U.S.A. in 2024-02. These are recalls abroad, and they apply to U.S. cars only if the same model is sold here.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-12 | Mercedes-Benz - DBA Sprinter | 269 | Certain Mercedes-Benz Marco Polo and Marco Polo Activity/Horizon model line vehicles (VS20), dismantling or assembly of the supplemental battery could inadvertently lead to undetected damage to a wiring harness. |
| 2021-05 | Volkswagen Group. | 114 | The 12V starter battery in the Tiguan PHEV is assembled in the rear trunk area. |
| 2023-06 | Mazda Motor. | 094 | Due to inappropriate onboard charger software programming logic, the onboard charger may falsely determine an external high-voltage battery charging cable has been connected to the vehicle charge port while driving at very low speeds. |
| 2021-04 | Ford Motor Company | 091 | An M8 nut that attached the positive battery cable (B+) to |
| 2024-02 | Hino Motors Sales U.S.A. | 029 | Telematics control unit that can become damaged because of improper design of telematics harness if it is not properly connected to the battery. |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 6 NHTSA recalls coded to this part filed 2015 to 2024, 87.1% of the 186,750 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 24,062 vehicles still carrying the defect.
| Year | Vehicles | Recalled vehicles | Repaired | Component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Honda Cr-V Hybrid | 106,030 | 86.6% | 12v/24v/48v battery cables |
| 2019 | Lincoln Mkx | 54,411 | 85.3% | 12v/24v/48v battery cables |
| 2023 | Hyundai Kona | 10,984 | 96.5% | 12v/24v/48v battery cables |
| 2021 | Chevrolet Express; Gmc Savana | 10,154 | 85.8% | 12v/24v/48v battery cables |
| 2023 | Dodge Hornet; Alfa Romeo Tonale, Tonale Phev | 4,129 | 99.6% | 12v/24v/48v battery cables |
| 2022 | Volkswagen Id.4 | 1,042 | 98.8% | 12v/24v/48v battery cables |
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 8 recall campaigns for parts matched to a battery cable replacement since model year 2015, covering about 313,516 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 battery cable replacement since model year 2015 | 8 recall campaigns covering about 313,516 vehicles |
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19V-805 | Ford F-150 2019–2020 | 135,725 | Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. |
| 23V-844 | Honda CR-V Hybrid 2020–2022 | 106,030 | An overheated battery cable or short circuit can increase the risk of a fire or injury in a crash. |
| 19V-299 | Honda Odyssey 2018–2019 | 50,504 | A damaged parking rod can allow the vehicle to roll when parked, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. |
| 23V-901 | Hyundai Kona 2024 | 10,984 | A short circuit increases the risk of an engine compartment fire. |
| 21V-189 | Chevrolet Express 2021; GMC Savana 2021 | 10,154 | A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire. |
| 25V-109 | BMW X3 2025 | 114 | An overheated battery cable connection can cause an engine stall and increase the risk of a crash. |
| 25V-643 | BMW 430i 2026; BMW M4 2026 | 4 | An engine stall increases the risk of a crash and a fire increases the risk of injury. |
| 25V-906 | BMW I4 Edrive40 2025 | 1 | A loose positive battery cable connection could lead to the vehicle stalling, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda | CX-70 2025–2026; CX-90 2024–2026 | SA-044-26 | Jul 2, 2026 | DESCRIPTION Some customers may experience an instrument cluster warning message. |
| Land Rover | Range Rover 2025; Range Rover Sport 2025 | Range Rover_N955_18AUG25 | Aug 18, 2025 | There may be a missing fixing on the Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) battery cable which is away from design specification. |
| Land Rover | Range Rover Sport 2025; Range Rover 2025 | Range Rover_N955_16MAY25 | May 17, 2025 | A quality concern has been identified where there may be a missing fixing on the Mild Hybrid Electric Vehicle (MHEV) battery cable which is away from design specification. |
| Buick | Envista 2024–2025; Encore GX 2024–2025 | PIT6263 | Oct 22, 2024 | This Preliminary information communicates to the technician a diagnostic tip, to inspect the negative battery cable if they encounter an intermittent no crank/start or stall condition. |
| KIA | Telluride 2023 | SC274_TSB | Aug 7, 2023 | Voluntary service campaign: Positive battery terminal nut re-tightening (SC274) - This bulletin provides information to re-tighten the positive (+) battery terminal nut on certain 2023MY Kia Telluride (ON) vehicles produced from February 8, 2023 through May. |
| MINI | Cooper 2015–2023; JCW 2015–2023 and 3 more | M610123 | Mar 1, 2023 | Oscillations in the electric drive can occur. |
39 more bulletins name this part; the car finder at the top checks yours, and the NHTSA bulletin file linked below lists them all.
Manufacturer warranty extensions naming this part (1)
| Maker | Vehicles | Date | Notice number | What the maker extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet | Cruze 2011–2015 | Feb 2, 2017 | 14311 | Negative battery cable terminal clamp with insufficient. |
What do owners say?
3 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
Battery drain causing none start,codes,having to disconnect negative wire on the battery terminal to reset.car is currently on 21000 miles recently purchased vehicle July 2, 2025.
Positive battery cable went out which is a $1500 repair.
17,000 miles,I popped the hood of the vehicle to access the negative battery cable with the intention of disconnecting +reconnecting to clear warning.instead I found both neg.+pos.
Check your car
Our default estimate for a battery cable replacement is $195–$646. That covers one cable, parts plus labor, on a mid-range car at an independent shop billing $100 an hour.
What changes the estimate most?
Here's how each setting the calculator offers changes the result. Everything else about your car moves you around inside the range.
| Setting | Detail | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Both cables | Full set, independent shop | $256–$892 |
| Economy car | Civic, Corolla, Focus class | $187–$614 |
| SUV or truck | Tahoe, Ram 1500, 4Runner class | $203–$678 |
| Luxury or performance | BMW, Mercedes, Corvette class | $203–$678 |
| Chain shop | About $120 an hour | $222–$726 |
| Dealership | About $175 an hour | $296–$948 |
Each row changes one input and leaves the others at the default. The shop rows swing the total the most. The vehicle rows barely separate, which tells you cable cost doesn't depend much on the badge.
What does the estimate leave out?
It doesn't include a new battery, a replacement starter or alternator, or cleaning heavy corrosion off the battery tray and nearby parts. It doesn't cover taxes, shop supply fees or a separate diagnostic charge, which some shops bill on top. Aftermarket versus factory cables can also change the parts line. And if the cable is seized into a corroded fitting, extra labor can push you toward the top of the range.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace just one battery cable?
Yes. If only one cable is damaged, replacing that one is a normal repair and the default estimate is built around it. A full set makes sense when both show wear or you want the job done once.
Will replacing the cable fix my slow start?
Only if the cable is the cause. Have the battery and starter checked at the same visit so you aren't paying twice for the same trip.
Sources
Data shown on this page
- NHTSA owner complaint file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA recall file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA service bulletin file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) downloaded 2026-10-05
- BLS Producer Price Index, commodity data for motor vehicle parts (series WPU141205142); BLS Consumer Price Index item SETD for the repair row downloaded August 2026
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, Foreign Campaigns (filings under 49 CFR 579.11, public API) downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall quarterly reports (basis of the Annual List of Recall Completion Rates) 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. 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 ($392–$449) on 2026-10-10: our default's midpoint is 0% above the middle of that range. Price evidence grade C: one outside published range; the hours and parts prices behind the estimate are CalcScrape assumptions and have not been checked against repair invoices. Methodology