Same job at other shop types (everything else as set above): Independent shop (~$100/hr) $160–$225 · Chain shop / franchise (~$120/hr) $165–$230 (the headline above) · Dealership (~$175/hr) $179–$244. 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 the price estimate was built
What it shows: Our default range is $165 to $230; 3 of 4 published ranges overlap it.
How serious did it get for owners?
4% of the 12,573 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 503, followed by Fire reported at 322; the smallest shown is Death reported at 7.
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 under 50,000 (71%), against 60% for all complaints: the biggest difference between the two.
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
12,573 owner complaints name this part.
Owners most often describe "recall mentioned", in 23% of these complaints.
What do owners say it led to?
Among the 12,573 owner complaints naming this part, owners most often say loss of power followed.
If your car shows the signs above, get it checked before it gets as far as loss of power.
Which other parts do owners name in the same complaint?
Among the 12,573 owner complaints naming this part, alternator is named in 6% of them, more than any other part.
Owners name the alternator most often in the same complaint, which is not proof that one caused the other. Ask the shop whether it checked the alternator too, so you are not quoted twice for one visit.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
55 mph or faster is the largest group at 32%, out of 2,837 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?
2019 is the most common model year in 12,573 complaints naming this part (14%); 5 model years account for 56%.
What it shows: 2019 is the largest at 1,737 (14%), followed by 2015 at 1,162 (9%); the smallest shown is 2025 at 519 (4%).
Do car battery replacement problems track median household income across states?
Median household income (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: IA, IL, KS, MT, NC, NE, NJ, NV, OR, PA, SD, VT, WYfewer 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, median household income (dollars), complaints against expected, complaints filed.
- DC 106,287 · 1.57× · 44
- OR 80,426 · 1.34× · 213
- NH 95,628 · 1.24× · 87
- WA 94,952 · 1.24× · 411
- VT 78,024 · 1.23× · 44
- HI 98,317 · 1.20× · 43
- NV 75,561 · 1.19× · 145
- CA 96,334 · 1.18× · 1789
- MT 69,922 · 1.18× · 48
- AK 89,336 · 1.14× · 32
- CT 93,760 · 1.13× · 177
- MA 101,341 · 1.11× · 312
- MD 101,652 · 1.09× · 339
- VA 90,974 · 1.08× · 454
- WY 74,815 · 1.08× · 19
- RI 86,372 · 1.06× · 42
- DE 82,855 · 1.06× · 52
- GA 74,664 · 1.03× · 444
- NC 69,904 · 1.03× · 441
- NY 84,578 · 1.02× · 675
- IN 70,051 · 1.01× · 211
- ID 74,636 · 1.00× · 60
- ME 71,773 · 1.00× · 60
- CO 92,470 · 0.99× · 270
- UT 91,750 · 0.98× · 106
- FL 71,711 · 0.98× · 897
- MN 87,556 · 0.96× · 173
- TX 76,292 · 0.95× · 948
- ND 75,949 · 0.95× · 18
- SC 66,818 · 0.95× · 194
- NJ 101,050 · 0.94× · 374
- WI 75,670 · 0.94× · 200
- LA 60,023 · 0.94× · 134
- OH 69,680 · 0.93× · 422
- AZ 76,872 · 0.90× · 255
- IL 81,702 · 0.89× · 397
- MO 68,920 · 0.89× · 193
- KY 62,417 · 0.89× · 125
- MI 71,149 · 0.88× · 364
- PA 76,081 · 0.86× · 436
- TN 67,097 · 0.86× · 211
- IA 73,147 · 0.85× · 76
- MS 54,915 · 0.85× · 68
- AL 62,027 · 0.84× · 142
- NM 62,125 · 0.82× · 60
- AR 58,773 · 0.78× · 79
- KS 72,639 · 0.76× · 71
- OK 63,603 · 0.71× · 87
- NE 74,985 · 0.69× · 39
- WV 57,917 · 0.60× · 43
- SD 72,421 · 0.41× · 11
What it shows: States with more median household income (dollars) tend to sit higher on the chart across 51 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- A firm pattern: fewer than 1 in 100 patterns this clear turn out to be false alarms. Weak spot: hold median household income equal and the median household income pattern disappears, so it may be mostly that factor.
Do car battery replacement problems track monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers across states?
What it shows: States with more monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers (dollars) tend to sit higher on the chart across 49 states: a pattern in the data, not proof of cause.
- A firm pattern: fewer than 1 in 100 patterns this clear turn out to be false alarms. Weak spot: hold cost of living index equal and only 22% of the monthly earnings of newly hired auto repair shop workers pattern remains, so part of it may be that factor.
Which other state measures also move with car battery replacement complaints?
NHTSA owner complaints about car battery replacement also differ across states on 4 other public measures; the widest gap is vehicle miles driven per lane-mile of public road (+20 points in reports against expected, 10 highest vs 10 lowest states).
What it shows: Vehicle miles driven per lane-mile of public road is the largest at +20 points, followed by Share of residents living in urban areas at +14 points; the smallest shown is Spending on vehicle maintenance and repair per resident at +12 points.
- States differ in many ways at once, so a link across states says nothing about why; reports are not failures.
How many people do this kind of work themselves?
On an average day in 2025, 2.3% of Americans 15 and older worked on their own vehicle (3.5% of men and 1.1% of women), spending 1.6 hours when they did (BLS American Time Use Survey, national).
Share of people 15 and older who cared for their own vehicle on an average day, 2025. Men: 3.5%; Women: 1.1%.
Will I be charged a core deposit on a new car battery, and is it refundable?
35 of 50 states listed by the Battery Council International follow its model lead-acid battery law and 11 require a refundable deposit when you buy a car battery, which the shop returns when you hand in the old battery within the refund period (typically 30 to 45 days).
| States | Refundable deposit | Refund period | Non-refundable fee | BCI model law |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 states: Arkansas, Minnesota | Required ($10) | 30 days | N/A | Yes |
| 2 states: Kansas, Nevada | N/A | N/A | N/A | No |
| 20 states: Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming | Allowed (varies) | N/A | N/A | Yes |
| 5 states: Alabama, Alaska, Delaware, Maryland, Montana | n/a | N/A | No | |
| 7 states: Massachusetts, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee | Allowed (varies) | N/A | N/A | No |
| Arizona | Required (varies): amended 2016 | 45 days | N/A | Yes |
| California | Required (varies, stationary storage batteries exempt) | 45 days | $1; $2 starting April 1, 2022 (stationary storage batteries exempt) | Yes |
| Colorado | Allowed ($10 minimum) | 30 days | N/A | Yes |
| Connecticut | Required: $5 | 30 days | N/A | Yes |
| Florida | Allowed (varies) | N/A | $1.50 | No |
| Idaho | Required($10) | 30 days | N/A | Yes |
| Maine | Required ($10) | 30 days | $1.00 | Yes |
| Missouri | Allowed (varies) | N/A | $0.50 | Yes |
| New York | Required ($5)* | 30 days | N/A | Yes |
| Rhode Island | Allowed (varies) | 7 days | N/A | Yes |
| South Carolina | Required ($5) | 30 days | $2 | Yes |
| Texas | Allowed (varies) | N/A | $2/$3 | Yes |
| Washington | Required ($5 minimum) | 30 days | N/A | Yes |
| Wisconsin | Required ($10, amended 2014) | N/A | N/A | Yes |
Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?
The federal producer price index for new storage batteries rose 28.9% 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 storage batteries, as shops buy them from makers, since December 2019, against consumer prices for motor vehicle repair. New storage batteries: +28.9%; 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 5 equipment recalls coded to this part since 2015 (electrical system), covering 13,245 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Navico Group in 2023, covered 4,746.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Navico Group: Insight 48v Lithium Batte | 12v/24v/48v battery | certain RELiON InSight 48 V lithium-ion batteries, Part Number 48V030-GC2. | 4,746 |
| 2018 | Ioxus Corporation: Energy Storage Module | 12v/24v/48v battery | certain uStart energy storage modules, part number UST12V1100G31-ISA. | 3,877 |
| 2023 | East Penn Manufacturing Company, Inc.: Deka Car Battery | 12v/24v/48v battery | certain Deka batteries, model 648MF. The electrical connection between the internal battery cell and external. | 2,139 |
| 2024 | Renogy: Battery Pack | 12v/24v/48v battery | certain battery packs with model number RBT210LFP51S-12 and part number RBT210LFP51S-12-G1-U. | 1,800 |
| 2015 | Old World Industries, Llc: Pkc0ls Jump Starter | 12v/24v/48v battery | certain Peak Lithium Rechargeable Jump-Starters, model PKC0LS, manufactured December 22, 2014, to March 24. | 683 |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 93 foreign recall campaigns that name battery with NHTSA since 2015; the latest, from Toyota Motor Corporation in 2026-08. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-11 | Porsche Cars. | 207 | (a) Defect may be present in the cell modules of the 48Ah High Voltage Battery, which could result in overheating during charging. |
| 2025-09 | Porsche Cars. | 176 | This is more likely to occur if the heater is used frequently for prolonged periods on high setting, or if the vehicle battery is frequently charged at low ambient temperatures. |
| 2025-10 | Porsche Cars. | 163 | VW; 13,396 Country Defective high-voltage battery cell modules may overheat, increasing the risk of a fire. |
| 2026-08 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 118 | As the subject vehicles were not equipped with a sub-battery, a component of the system which supplies power in case the main battery becomes damaged during impact, the Egypt destination vehicles may not meet certain regulatory requirements of that market. |
| 2025-07 | Hyundai Motor America | 108 | Description of the defect/noncompliance: Certain battery cells within the battery assembly of the subject vehicles could become damaged due to an electrical short. |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 14 NHTSA recalls coded to this part filed 2015 to 2024, 87.0% of the 279,161 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 36,379 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 |
| 2024 | Kia Ev6 | 48,232 | 81.0% | 12v/24v/48v battery |
| 2022 | Mercedes-Benz E 450, Amg E53 | 19,968 | 90.6% | 12v/24v/48v battery |
| 2020 | Land Rover Discovery | 11,084 | 95.5% | 12v/24v/48v battery |
| 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 | Subaru Crosstrek Hybrid | 8,413 | 93.8% | 12v/24v/48v battery |
What do owners who wrote down a dollar amount say they paid?
Among 70 NHTSA owner complaints about this part that name one component and one repair, the middle dollar amount an owner wrote was $500, with a quarter at $220 or less and a quarter at $1,500 or more; these are selected owner reports, not a representative price.
| Measure | Amount or count |
|---|---|
| A quarter of owners wrote this much or more | $1,500 |
| Middle amount owners wrote | $500 |
| All complaints naming the part with any dollar amount, before the filter | 406 |
| A quarter of owners wrote this much or less | $220 |
| Complaints with one component, no repeat or tow wording, and a dollar amount | 70 |
Which counties get the weather that wears this part?
FEMA's National Risk Index puts Tulsa County, OK, Okmulgee County, OK and Wagoner County, OK highest for heat and cold waves combined, about 27.95 events a year, against 7.07 in the median county. Both heat and deep cold shorten battery life.
| County | Heat wave plus cold wave events per year | Residents (2020) |
|---|---|---|
| Tulsa County, OK | 27.95 | 669,277 |
| Okmulgee County, OK | 27.37 | 36,710 |
| Wagoner County, OK | 27.21 | 80,983 |
| Muskogee County, OK | 27.05 | 66,348 |
| Creek County, OK | 26.68 | 71,752 |
| Rogers County, OK | 26.47 | 95,236 |
| Washington County, OK | 26.21 | 52,455 |
| Pittsburg County, OK | 25.84 | 43,773 |
| Osage County, OK | 25.63 | 45,825 |
| Le Flore County, OK | 25.42 | 48,130 |
| Median county (1,803 counties) | 7.07 |
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 4 recall campaigns for parts matched to a car battery replacement since model year 2015, covering about 2,196,857 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 car battery replacement since model year 2015 | 4 recall campaigns covering about 2,196,857 vehicles |
Does my car use its battery harder than older cars did?
EPA's Automotive Trends data show gasoline engines with stop/start (the engine restarts at every light, which cycles the battery and starter) in 57.6% of new vehicles in model year 2024 against 0.0% in 2010 (sales-weighted national shares).
| Model year | Gasoline with stop/start | Mild hybrid | Strong hybrid | Plug-in hybrid and electric |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| 2005 | 0.0% | 0.3% | 0.8% | 0.0% |
| 2010 | 0.0% | 0.0% | 3.8% | 0.0% |
| 2014 | 4.9% | 0.1% | 2.5% | 0.7% |
| 2018 | 29.6% | 0.4% | 1.9% | 2.2% |
| 2021 | 44.0% | 4.0% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| 2024 | 57.6% | 5.3% | 9.5% | 9.7% |
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23V-734 | Toyota RAV4 2015–2018 | 1,853,568 | A battery short circuit increases the risk of a fire. |
| 25V-019 | Ford Maverick 2022–2023; Ford Bronco Sport 2021–2023 | 272,817 | Battery failure can result in a loss of electrical accessories, including the hazard lights, or cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of 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. |
| 22V-733 | Mercedes-Benz E 450 2021–2022; Mercedes-Benz AMG E53 2019–2022; Mercedes-Benz AMG CLS53 2019–2021 and 1 more | 19,968 | The inability to operate safety features (eCall system, hazard lights, electric seats, or automatic door locks) can increase the risk of injury during 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen | Id. Buzz 2025; Golf R 2024–2026 and 7 more | V2724012073810_7 | Aug 13, 2026 | Battery Checking Procedure before. |
| Mazda | CX-90 Plug-IN Hybrid 2024–2026; CX-70 Plug-IN Hybrid 2025–2026 | PF-26-03 | Jul 28, 2026 | PXFV185EZA (Yuasa YTZ7S) Sub Battery Replacement If the sub battery is not available or on backorder, it is acceptable to source a battery using the same manufacturer and model (commonly used for motorcycles). |
| Lincoln | Navigator 2025–2026 | TCU-26.2.11.4 Navigator | May 28, 2026 | Quality improvements include: -Addresses Key off load battery usage caused by the Telematics Control Unit Wi-Fi not going to sleep when the vehicle is turned. |
| Audi | A5 2015–2026; S4 2015–2025 and 62 more | TSB_2080517_4 | May 22, 2026 | This bulletin provides informaiotn when the starter battery is discharged or defective. |
| Lexus | RX Hybrid 2023–2026 | L-SB-0011-26 | May 7, 2026 | A 12V auxiliary battery with increased capacity has been released as an optional replacement. |
| MINI | Paceman 2015–2016 | M610226 | Apr 30, 2026 | While performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test, and/or programming procedure- the MINI Footwell Module (FRM) may become unresponsive. |
22 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 (2)
| Maker | Vehicles | Date | Notice number | What the maker extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen | Atlas 2018–2019 | Jul 8, 2019 | VWP-19 | 12-volt. |
| Chevrolet | Cruze 2011–2015 | Jan 31, 2017 | 14311A | Negative battery cable terminal clamp with insufficient. |
What do owners say?
4 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
Have taken the vehicle to the dealer numerous times and each time told they can't figure out what causes the problem, but they replaced the battery at a cost of $500...didn't fix the problem.
And that I paid $200 last month for a FAILED BATTERY last month.
We have been told we need to pay $200 for the fix PLUS more than $200 for the battery which has undoubtedly been impacted by the first issue.
Called aaa, battery had dead cell so I purchased one for $200.
Check your car
Our calculator's default estimate is $165–$230 for an AGM (start-stop) battery, parts plus a 30-minute install; a standard flooded battery is $70–$120. Two choices move that number most: the battery type your car needs and where you have it installed.
What does the battery replacement price cover?
The estimate covers the battery and about 30 minutes of labor to swap it. That is the whole job on most cars: remove the old unit, clean the terminals, fit the new one and confirm the car starts.
It leaves out things a quote may add. Some shops charge a diagnostic fee to confirm the battery is the fault, and some add a core charge or disposal fee for the old battery. Cars with a battery monitoring system may need it reset after the swap, which is extra time.
How much does the price change by battery type and shop?
Battery type moves the price far more than the shop does. Here are the calculator's ranges by setting.
| Setting | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Standard flooded battery | $70–$120 |
| Default: AGM (start-stop / EFB system) | $165–$230 |
| Premium AGM / gel | $180–$255 |
| Independent shop (about $100/hr) | $160–$225 |
| Dealership (about $175/hr) | $179–$244 |
Shop rows assume the default AGM battery. A standard flooded battery is cheaper at any shop; if your car has start-stop, the AGM rows are the ones to compare.
What does the estimate leave out?
It is a range for a typical car, not a quote for yours. Batteries in hard-to-reach spots, under a seat or in the trunk, take more labor. Taxes, local labor rates and any needed terminal or cable repair are not included.
If a quote lands well above the range for your battery type, ask what is being added before you pay. The next step is to enter your car in the calculator and take that range with you.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace the battery myself?
Many owners do on simple layouts. Check the manual first: some cars need the new battery registered with the car's computer, which a plain swap skips.
Is an AGM battery worth the extra cost?
If your car came with one or has start-stop, yes, because it is the type the system is designed for. If it came with a standard battery, the calculator's standard range is the fair comparison.
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
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year 2019-2023 (B19013), joined to NHTSA owner complaints downloaded 2026-10-12
- Census LEHD Quarterly Workforce Indicators 2024, NAICS 8111, joined to NHTSA owner complaints downloaded 2026-10-12
- U.S. Census Bureau Coastline Counties list 2016 with state population, joined to NHTSA owner complaints downloaded 2026-10-12
- BLS American Time Use Survey, vehicle care by self (activity 020700) and vehicle maintenance and repair services not done by self (090500) data from 2025
- Battery Council International, State Recycling Laws; EPA lead-acid battery collection case study for states without the model law data from 2026
- BLS Producer Price Index, commodity data for motor vehicle parts (series WPU117901); 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
- FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), county table: annualized frequency per hazard downloaded 2025-12
- 49 U.S.C. 30120 (Remedies for defects and noncompliance), text via Cornell Legal Information Institute; NHTSA recall campaigns data from 2026
- U.S. EPA, The 2025 EPA Automotive Trends Report (EPA-420-R-26-001) 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. Reported: figures as reported by the publisher, not independently verified. 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 4 established price guides on 2026-10-04: our default's midpoint is 17% below the middle of RepairPal's range ($456–$493). Price evidence grade A: 4 outside published ranges; the hours and parts prices behind the estimate are CalcScrape assumptions and have not been checked against repair invoices. Methodology