Same job at other shop types (everything else as set above): Independent shop (~$100/hr) $161–$245 · Chain shop / franchise (~$120/hr) $177–$271 (the headline above) · Dealership (~$175/hr) $221–$343. 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?
11% of the 791 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 87, followed by Crash reported at 37; the smallest shown is Injury reported at 6.
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 50,000-100,000 (41%). The biggest difference from all complaints is under 50,000: 40% against 60%.
What it shows: The most common band for complaints about this repair is 6-9 years (43%), against 23% for all complaints: the biggest difference between the two.
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
791 owner complaints name this part.
Owners most often describe "fluid leak", in 24% of these complaints.
Which other parts do owners name in the same complaint?
Among the 791 owner complaints naming this part, brake caliper is named in 9% of them, more than any other part.
Owners name the brake caliper most often in the same complaint, which is not proof that one caused the other. Ask the shop whether it checked the brake caliper too, so you are not quoted twice for one visit.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
25-44 mph is the largest group at 40%, out of 423 complaints.
Owners reported it most often at town speeds. Tell the shop what speed it happens at, because that narrows the diagnosis.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
2016 is the most common model year in 791 complaints naming this part (27%); 3 model years account for 70%.
What it shows: 2016 is the largest at 210 (27%); the smallest shown is 2025 at 12 (2%).
When in the year do owners report it?
NHTSA owner complaints about this part run furthest above the usual seasonal share in September: about 48% more of them name an incident that month than complaints about any part would predict. A complaint is a report, not a measured failure.
What it shows: August is the largest at 13% (all: 9%), followed by January at 6% (all: 9%); the smallest shown is November at 5% (all: 7%).
What do state inspectors fail cars for?
Among 8,738,476 initial safety inspections in North Carolina in 2017, brake components caused 1.9 failed items per 1,000 inspections, fewer than any of the other three parts the state reports.
What it shows: Tires is the largest at 8.5, followed by Lights at 5.2; the smallest shown is Brake components at 1.9.
Do brake hose replacement problems track spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident across states?
Spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident (dollars)
Complaints against what the makes sold would predict (1.0× = expected)
left map: lower to higherright map: green fewer complaints than expected, red morefurthest from the pattern: CA, CO, NJ, OR, PA, WA, WIfewer than 10 complaints
This describes states, not any one car, and it does not show that the left measure produces the right one.
Every state with 10 or more complaints, most over-reported first: state, spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident (dollars), complaints against expected, complaints filed.
- NE 960 · 4.20× · 16
- OR 818 · 1.60× · 13
- MO 903 · 1.34× · 22
- CT 840 · 1.29× · 10
- PA 770 · 1.28× · 38
- MD 858 · 1.26× · 21
- IL 818 · 1.24× · 34
- NJ 724 · 1.17× · 23
- MN 918 · 1.15× · 13
- GA 755 · 1.15× · 33
- MA 937 · 1.12× · 16
- IN 786 · 1.10× · 17
- AZ 732 · 1.08× · 20
- NC 691 · 1.06× · 29
- VA 809 · 1.04× · 26
- TN 689 · 1.02× · 18
- CO 1,139 · 0.97× · 15
- CA 903 · 0.96× · 77
- TX 788 · 0.93× · 68
- MI 780 · 0.88× · 31
- SC 654 · 0.86× · 12
- NY 629 · 0.86× · 28
- FL 608 · 0.86× · 54
- WA 841 · 0.81× · 14
- OH 635 · 0.75× · 24
- WI 764 · 0.71× · 10
What it shows: States with more spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident (dollars) tend to sit higher on the chart across 26 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- A moderate pattern, probably real but not certain: about 1 in 12 patterns this clear turn out to be false alarms. Dropping any one state leaves the spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident pattern intact.
Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?
The federal producer price index for new brake systems rose 36.2% 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 brake systems, as shops buy them from makers, since December 2019, against consumer prices for motor vehicle repair. New brake systems: +36.2%; 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 7 equipment recalls that name brake hose since 2015 (service brakes and parking brake), covering 62,235 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Streamline Industries Incorporated in 2023, covered 30,000.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Streamline Industries Incorporated: Abs Kit, Non Abs. | foundation components hoses. | Filing lists the affected part numbers | 30,000 |
| 2018 | Industrias Martinrea De Mexico Sa De Cv: Brake Hose | foundation components hoses. | Industrias Martinrea de Mexico SA de CV (Martinrea) has submitted a Defect Information Report based upon. | 3,931 |
| 2019 | Transfer Flow Inc - Chico, Ca: Rear Brake Line | foundation components hoses. | certain rear brake lines used for mobility van conversions. | 700 |
| 2018 | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing: Xb, Tc | service brakes, hydraulic | certain Toyota Racing Development (TRD) brake kits, part numbers PTR09-21111 and PTR09-52080, sold by Toyota. | 544 |
| 2017 | Liquidspring Llc: C.L.A.S.S.11326 | foundation components hoses. | certain Compressible Liquid Adaptive Suspension Systems (C.L.A.S.S.), part number 11326, model numbers. | 321 |
| 2022 | Chrysler (Fca Us, Llc): Right Rear Brake Hose, Left. | foundation components hoses. | certain Mopar right rear brake hoses with part numbers 68371722AA and 68371722AB, and left rear brake hoses. | 183 |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 20 foreign recall campaigns that name brake hose with NHTSA since 2015; the latest, from Mercedes-Benz USA in 2025-07. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-07 | Hino Motors Sales U.S.A. | 112 | Description of Defect or Noncompliance The subject vehicles are equipped with an air brake system and an air horn. |
| 2021-04 | Mercedes-Benz - DBA Sprinter | 094 | That on certain Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vehicles, platform 910 (VS30), if the distance between the interior wheel housing lining and the brake hose is too small, the front axle brake hose could contact and chafe against the front part of the interior wheel. |
| 2025-07 | Mercedes-Benz | 093 | MBAG has determined that on certain MY24 S-Class Guard (223 platform) vehicles, the front axle brake hoses might leak brake fluid over time. |
| 2025-03 | Mercedes-Benz | 029 | MBAG has determined that on certain MY24-25 A-Class (177 platform) and CLA (118 platform) vehicles, the length of the brake hoses on the rear axle might not meet specifications. |
| 2024-01 | Ford Motor Company | 009 | The brake line routing is unique for the South American design and is not similar in layout to vehicles sold in the United States. |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 10 NHTSA recalls that name brake hose filed 2015 to 2024, 49.5% of the 1,860,374 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 939,908 vehicles still carrying the defect.
What it shows: Suzuki 2024 is the largest at 93.0%, followed by Lincoln 2023 at 41.6%; the smallest shown is Ford 2024 at 35.6%.
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 brake hose replacement since model year 2015, covering about 1,555,470 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 brake hose replacement since model year 2015 | 8 recall campaigns covering about 1,555,470 vehicles |
How many miles does a car of my age really drive in a year?
In the 2022 National Household Travel Survey, US vehicles aged 10-14 years are driven an average 15,415 miles a year against 12,170 for vehicles aged 0-2 years, so 50,000 miles of brake wear comes up in about 3.2 years at the faster pace and 4.1 years at the slower one (reported mileage, survey-weighted).
What it shows: 10-14 is the largest at 15,415, followed by 0-2 at 12,170; the smallest shown is 0-2 at 12,170.
How often does this part fail a real inspection, by car age?
In 181,256 New Jersey initial inspections in 2025 of vehicles sent through the safety lane, 6.4% of cars aged 16+ years failed the brake test against 0.5% of cars under 3 years, about 13 times as often (record counts, not a sample).
What it shows: 16+ is the largest at 6.4%, followed by <3 at 0.5%; the smallest shown is <3 at 0.5%.
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V-162 | Lincoln MKZ 2015–2018; Ford Fusion 2015–2018 | 1,280,726 | A brake fluid leak will increase brake pedal travel and extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 25V-058 | Toyota Tacoma 2024–2025 | 221,846 | A brake fluid leak can reduce braking ability and increase the risk of a crash. |
| 24V-455 | Porsche Taycan 2020–2025 | 31,689 | A brake fluid leak can reduce braking performance and extend the distance required to stop, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 25V-116 | Mercedes-Benz S 500 2021–2022; Mercedes-Benz S 580 2021–2023; Mercedes-Benz S 580 E 2023 | 20,339 | A brake fluid leak can extend the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V-631 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 2020; Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 2020; Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 2020 | 463 | Over time, the hose could begin to leak brake fluid, affecting the braking performance of the vehicle, including the potential loss of directional stability when braking, thereby increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 19V-553 | Toyota Sienna 2015–2018 | 303 | The contact may cause failure of the rear brake hoses, resulting in a loss of vehicle control and reduced braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 18V-104 | Lincoln MKC 2018; Ford Escape 2018 | 88 | A brake fluid leak may lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 24V-592 | Mercedes-Benz AMG GLB35 2024 | 16 | A brake fluid leak can cause a loss of brakes and increase the risk of a crash. |
NHTSA defect investigations naming this part (3)
| Case number | Vehicles | Opened | Status | What NHTSA looked at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PE24027 | Ford Edge 2015–2017 | Oct 3, 2024 | Closed Oct 30, 2025 | Loss of braking caused by rear brake hose. |
| EA15005 | Ford Explorer 2015 | Sep 28, 2015 | Closed Nov 2, 2018 | Front brake hose. |
| PE15017 | Ford Explorer 2015 | Apr 29, 2015 | Closed Sep 28, 2015 | Front brake hose. |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW | X1 2025; X2 2025 | M060525 | Mar 12, 2025 | The bulletin file gives no description beyond its title (brake hose). |
| Porsche | Taycan Turbo S 2020–2024; Taycan Turbo Cross Turism 2021–2024 and 10 more | 103-24 | Jul 19, 2024 | Technical information for ARB0 - replacing left and right brake hose on front. |
| Porsche | Taycan Turbo Cross Turism 2021–2024; Taycan 2020–2025 and 10 more | 137-23 | Oct 3, 2023 | Symptom-based workshop manual for the brake system. |
| Mercedes-Benz | Metris 2020 | V-RC-202012004(1 | Dec 10, 2020 | Inspect brake hose. |
| Subaru | Crosstrek 2018; Impreza 2017–2018 | WUR-03R | Nov 20, 2019 | In the interest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. |
| Subaru | Impreza 2017–2018; Crosstrek 2018 | WUR-03 | Nov 13, 2019 | In the intrest of customer satisfaction, Subaru of America, Inc. |
1 more bulletins name this part; the car finder at the top checks yours, and the NHTSA bulletin file linked below lists them all.
What do owners say?
4 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
Front left brake hose burst at 116000 miles.
At 59,900 miles on a 2016 Discovery Sport that has never been in a collision and maintained by LandRover Dealership, the Left front brake line blew while my 22 year old medical student son was driving the car.
Contacted a repair shop, who removed and replaced both front brake hoses and flushed the brake fluid for a whopping $510.03.
Brake hose at passenger front tire burst at 55,000 miles.
Check your car
Replacing one brake hose at an average chain shop comes to $177–$271 in our calculator, at $120 an hour. That covers the hose and the labor to swap it.
What changes the price of a brake hose job?
Two inputs in the calculator move the number a lot, and one barely moves it.
| Choice | Option | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Default | 1 hose, chain shop | $177–$271 |
| Hose count | 2 hoses | $305–$434 |
| Hose count | All 4 hoses | $562–$760 |
| Shop type | Independent (about $100/hr) | $161–$245 |
| Shop type | Dealership (about $175/hr) | $221–$343 |
| Vehicle | Economy car | $166–$256 |
| Vehicle | SUV / truck, or luxury | $187–$286 |
When you ask for a quote, say how many hoses and which wheels. A quote that says only "brake hose" cannot be compared with another one.
What does the quote include, and what does it leave out?
The estimate prices the hose and the labor to fit it. A brake hose connects the hard brake line to the caliper, so replacing it opens the hydraulic system. The system then has to be refilled and bled of air before the car is safe to drive.
Ask whether fluid and bleeding are on the quote as their own line. If they are not, ask what the shop charges for them, because they are easy to add once the car is on the lift. The estimate also cannot see a rusted fitting or a seized bleeder screw, either of which can raise the labor.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drive on a leaking brake hose?
No. A leak lets fluid out and air in, and the pedal can sink under braking. Stop, and have the car looked at before you drive it again.
Does the quote need brake fluid?
Yes. After a hose is replaced the system has to be refilled and bled of air. Make sure the quote lists it.
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 defect investigation file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA service bulletin file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) downloaded 2026-10-05
- North Carolina Division of Air Quality, Vehicle Safety and Emissions Inspection Frequency Study data from 2017
- BEA Personal Consumption Expenditures by State 2024, motor vehicle maintenance and repair, joined to NHTSA owner complaints downloaded 2026-10-12
- BLS Producer Price Index, commodity data for motor vehicle parts (series WPU14120504); 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
- FHWA, 2022 NextGen National Household Travel Survey, vehicle file downloaded 2026-10
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, Vehicle Inspection Data downloaded 2026-10
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. Reported: figures as reported by the publisher, not independently verified.
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 ($204–$266) on 2026-10-04: our default's midpoint is 5% below 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