What does this cost in your state?
California is the costliest state and Arkansas the cheapest; each square shows that state's midpoint of the estimate.
Lower-cost states ($2,451)MiddleHigher-cost states ($3,122)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $3,122 and AR the lowest at $2,451, across 51 states.
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 (52%). The biggest difference from all complaints is under 50,000: 14% against 60%.
What it shows: The most common band for complaints about this repair is 6-9 years (66%), against 23% for all complaints: the biggest difference between the two.
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
2,217 owner complaints name this part.
Use the owners' words ("coolant or fluid leak") when you describe the problem to a shop, and ask what test they ran.
Which trouble codes do owners report?
P0303 Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected leads at 16.
The code owners quote most is P0303. Read your own code from a scan and give the shop the exact code, not only "the light is on".
What do owners say it led to?
Among the 2,217 owner complaints naming this part, owners most often say engine damage followed.
What owners say happened after the problem. Engine damage: 186 (8%); Loss of power: 86 (4%); Stalled while driving: 9 (0%).
If your car shows the signs above, get it checked before it gets as far as engine damage.
Which other parts do owners name in the same complaint?
Among the 2,217 owner complaints naming this part, spark plug is named in 12% of them, more than any other part.
Owners name the spark plug most often in the same complaint, which is not proof that one caused the other. Ask the shop whether it checked the spark plug too, so you are not quoted twice for one visit.
What did owners say they paid?
Half of the 62 owners who wrote a dollar amount gave $4,500 or less; one in ten wrote more than $8,000.
These are bills owners wrote down, often covering more than this one repair. They show how far a job can run; get written quotes for your own car.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
55 mph or faster leads at 42%.
Owners reported it most often at highway speed. Tell the shop what speed it happens at, because that narrows the diagnosis.
How serious did it get for owners?
Among the 2,217 owner complaints naming this part, being towed is the outcome owners report most often.
What it shows: Towed is the largest at 111, followed by Fire reported at 8; the smallest shown is Crash reported at 6.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
Among the 2,217 owner complaints naming this part that state a model year, complaints cluster in a few model years instead of spreading evenly.
What it shows: 2018 is the largest at 770 (35%), followed by 2015 at 126 (6%); the smallest shown is 2025 at 5 (0%).
Are cars still worth repairing at this age?
The average light vehicle on U.S. roads is 12.8 years old in 2025, up from 8.4 years in 1995, and the average passenger car is 14.5 years old.
What it shows: 2025 is the largest at 12.8 years, followed by 1995 at 8.4 years; the smallest shown is 1995 at 8.4 years.
Which engine sizes show up most in complaints about this part?
Among 2,198 owner complaints about this part where the VIN identifies the vehicle, 42% involve engines of under 1.6 L, against 11% of complaints about all the parts we track.
What it shows: under 1.6 L is the largest at 42%, followed by 1.6 to 2.0 L at 26%; the smallest shown is over 5.0 L at 1%.
Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?
The federal producer price index for new gasoline engines and engine parts rose 13.7% 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 gasoline engines and engine parts, as shops buy them from makers, since December 2019, against consumer prices for motor vehicle repair. New gasoline engines and engine parts: +13.7%; All motor vehicle parts: +17.4%; Motor vehicle repair, labor and parts together: +55.2%.
How common is a bill this size for a household?
30% of U.S. adults had a major vehicle repair or replacement in the 12 months before the Federal Reserve's 2025 survey, the most common unexpected expense, with a median cost of $1,000 to $1,999 among those who knew the amount.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Adults with a major vehicle repair or replacement | 30% |
| Adults with any major unexpected expense | 59% |
| Any major unexpected expense, family income $100,000 or more | 62% |
| Any major unexpected expense, family income $25,000 to $49,999 | 61% |
| Any major unexpected expense, family income $50,000 to $99,999 | 62% |
| Any major unexpected expense, family income under $25,000 | 47% |
| Usual amount paid for a major vehicle expense (median) | $1,000 to $1,999 |
Is shop labor getting more expensive, and are shops short of workers?
Wages of private-industry installation, maintenance and repair workers rose 31.3% from late 2019 to 2026 quarter 2, against 29.3% for all private workers, and 2.3 of every 100 employees in other services, the sector holding repair shops, quit each month against 1.9 across all jobs (BLS, national).
| Measure | Repair workers (pay) and other services (turnover) | All private workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hires a month per 100 employees (12-month average) | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| Job openings per 100 jobs (12-month average) | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| Quits a month per 100 employees (12-month average) | 2.3 | 1.9 |
| Total pay and benefits, change over the last 12 months | +3.6% | +3.3% |
| Wages and salaries, change over the last 12 months | +3.7% | +3.1% |
| Wages and salaries, change since the fourth quarter of 2019 | +31.3% | +29.3% |
How often do owners actually win a lemon-law case?
In Connecticut's 2025 lemon-law program, 113 of 141 arbitration hearings (80%) ended in a refund or replacement vehicle, while Texas ordered 14 repurchases or replacements after hearings among 576 complaints filed in fiscal 2020; these are program totals for all vehicles and defects, not for head gasket repair.
| Program and year | Cases | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut decisions on Chrysler (since 2018) | 2 of 357 | a make from this page's top owner complaints; the file lists the case, not the outcome |
| Connecticut decisions on Ford (since 2018) | 35 of 357 | a make from this page's top owner complaints; the file lists the case, not the outcome |
| Connecticut decisions on Honda (since 2018) | 19 of 357 | a make from this page's top owner complaints; the file lists the case, not the outcome |
| Connecticut, 2025 | 141 hearings | 113 refund or replacement (80%), 15 cash and keep, 13 no action |
| New York, 1998 | all cases | consumers prevailed in 68% of new-car cases and 63% of used-car disputes (awards and settlements combined) |
| Texas, fiscal 2020 | 576 complaints filed | 302 settled before a decision; 14 vehicles ordered repurchased or replaced after hearings (78 post-hearing orders) |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 2 foreign recall campaigns that name head gasket with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Mazda Motor Corp. in 2017-02.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017-02 | Mazda Motor. | 044 | Sincerely, Joshua Vella Senior Manager, Quality Office Mazda North American Operations Mazda North American Operations 7755 Irvine Center Drive Irvine, CA 92618-2922 www.MazdaUSA.com Telephone 949.727.1990 Facsimile 949.727.6101 Page 2 Foreign Safety Recall /. |
| 2016-10 | Volvo Car | 143 | 20590 Submittal of TREAD report form per 49 CFR, Part 579, subpart B Subject: R29705 � Manifold Gasket Dear Mr. |
Has the maker published a fix?
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acura | Integra 2023–2026; ADX 2025–2026 | BBJA31120 | Sep 14, 2026 | Job Aid - This job aid only applies to vehicles involved in the cylinder head gasket warranty extension. |
| Honda | Accord 2018–2022 | A26-003 | Aug 26, 2026 | Service Bulletin - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire and/or DTCs P0300 thru P0304 stored. |
| Acura | Integra 2023–2026; ADX 2025–2026 | BEBM08262026901 | Aug 26, 2026 | Dealer Message - Under certain conditions, the cylinder head gasket effectiveness may be reduced which may cause vehicles to experience overheating, coolant loss, misfire, and/or DTCs P0300 through P0304 stored. |
| Volkswagen | Taos 2022–2023; Jetta 2022–2023 | V1523012071245_1 | Aug 17, 2023 | Identifying cylinder head gasket leak. |
| GMC | Yukon 2015–2023; Sierra 3500 2015–2023 and 5 more | 22-NA-216 | Oct 26, 2022 | This bulletin advises the technician to Inspect the position of the head gasket locating tabs to determine if the head gasket(s) has been possibly installed backwards to correct a concern of an Engine Thermostat Tick Noise and/or Running Hot. |
| GMC | Sierra 2500 2018–2019; Sierra Denali 2018 and 1 more | 19NA108 | May 16, 2019 | This technical bulletin provides a procedure to replace the head gaskets if found doubled stacked. |
33 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.
We took it to be looked at by a local mechanic and was told that these regularly have head gasket problems, that was the problem with ours and we would have to replace the engine for about $10,000.00.
To trade out of my car or pay $1495 to have the head gasket fixed instead of paying $2995.00 before taxes.
The problem went away but i still took it to the dealership and i was told it might be the head gasket of the engine or thermostat/waterpump, a $4000 repair.
After 3 years and with 88t miles ,the head gasket cylinder gasket needs a replacement for $4500.
Check your car
Our calculator's default estimate is $2,332–$3,308 for a 4-cylinder engine with parts and labor, using a $120 hourly shop rate and a serviceable head that needs no machining. Engine layout, a warped or cracked head and the shop you choose move that number the most.
What does the estimate cover, and what does it leave out?
The default estimate covers the gasket set, the other parts for the job and the labor to take the engine apart and put it back together on a 4-cylinder car at a typical shop. It is a range for a standard car, not a quote for yours.
It does not include what a shop finds once the head is off. A warped head needs machining, and a cracked one needs replacing; both are priced in the table below. Oil, taxes, a diagnostic fee and any other worn parts the shop recommends while the engine is open are also left out. If a quote is far above your row, ask what has been added.
How much do engine type, head condition and shop change the price?
Engine layout and head condition move the price more than the shop does. These are the calculator's ranges, each changing one setting from the default.
| Setting | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Default: 4-cylinder, serviceable head | $2,332–$3,308 |
| V6 or V8 (two heads) | $3,756–$5,664 |
| Head resurfaced (warped or overheated) | $2,482–$3,708 |
| Head cracked or damaged, must be replaced | $2,732–$4,208 |
| Independent shop | $2,060–$2,940 |
| Dealership | $3,080–$4,320 |
The shop rows keep the 4-cylinder default and change only the hourly rate: about $100 at an independent shop and about $175 at a dealership. Add the V6 or V8 jump on top if your engine has two heads.
How do I know it is the head gasket before I pay?
A head gasket is an expensive guess if the diagnosis is loose. A symptom is not proof, because a leaking hose or a bad radiator cap can look similar.
Before you approve the job, ask the shop which test showed the gasket is the fault. Ask to see the result, whether that is a pressure test of the cooling system or a check for combustion gas in the coolant. A shop that cannot name the test is quoting a guess.
If the engine is already overheating, the urgent step is to stop driving and get it tested.
How do I get a fair quote?
Call two or three shops and give each the same details: year, make, model, engine size and the symptoms. Ask each for the gasket set, any head machining and the labor as separate lines, and ask whether the head is being resurfaced or replaced.
Compare quotes against the row that matches your engine, not against the default. A quote inside the V6 or V8 range is ordinary for a two-head engine, while the same quote on a 4-cylinder sits above the default high end. Ask whether the quote includes coolant and an oil change, and whether the work carries a written warranty.
Before you pay, enter your car in the calculator and check the service bulletins card above for a manufacturer notice that names your model. Take the bulletin number to the dealer and ask whether it changes what you owe.
Frequently asked questions
Is a head gasket repair worth it on an older car?
Compare your quote with what the car is worth. If the quote is close to the car's value, ask for a second quote before deciding.
Can I just use a sealer additive?
The calculator prices a gasket replacement, not a sealer. If a shop proposes a sealer instead, ask what it covers and whether the work is guaranteed.
Why is the estimate so much higher for a V6 or V8?
Two heads mean two gaskets and more labor, which is why the calculator's V6 or V8 row is the one to compare against if your engine has two.
Sources
Data shown on this page
- NHTSA owner complaint file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA service bulletin file (2015-2019 · 2020-2024 · 2025-2026) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- CalcScrape calculator model scaled by BEA Regional Price Parities data from 2024
- Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Table 1-26a: Average Age of Automobiles and Trucks in Operation in the United States data from 2025
- NHTSA owner complaint files with VINs decoded by NHTSA vPIC data from 2025
- BLS Producer Price Index, commodity data for motor vehicle parts (series WPU14120501); BLS Consumer Price Index item SETD for the repair row file downloaded August 2026
- Federal Reserve Board, Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2025 (SHED), tables 23 and 24, figure 23 file downloaded 2026 report on 2025 survey
- BLS Employment Cost Index (installation, maintenance and repair occupations, private industry) and Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (other services, NAICS 81) file downloaded 2026 Q02
- Connecticut DCP Lemon Law annual report (2025), data.ct.gov Lemon Law Arbitration Decisions, Texas DMV Lemon Law Annual Report FY2020, New York Attorney General (1999 release on 1998 results) data from 2026
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, Foreign Campaigns (filings under 49 CFR 579.11, public API) file downloaded 2026-10-05
Terms: US government data, public domain; Federal Reserve Board data, cite the source.
Observed: records as filed; owner reports are unverified and are not failure rates. Modeled: our estimate, not a quote. Derived: computed from the records; an association, not a cause. 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 ($2,572–$3,386) on 2026-10-04: our default's midpoint is 5% below the middle of that range. Methodology