Same job at other shop types (everything else as set above): Independent shop (~$100/hr) $385–$1,345 · Chain shop / franchise (~$120/hr) $423–$1,460 (the headline above) · Dealership (~$175/hr) $529–$1,778. 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?
3% of the 186 complaints report a tow, the most common serious outcome; the other outcomes counted below are rarer, and an owner can file without mentioning one.
Outcomes owners reported in complaints about this part. Towed: 6; Crash reported: 3; Fire reported: 2.
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 (94%), against 60% for all complaints: the biggest difference between the two.
What it shows: The most common band for complaints about this repair is under 3 years old (56%), against 40% for all complaints: the biggest difference between the two.
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
186 owner complaints name this part.
Owners most often describe "recall mentioned", in 14% of these complaints.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
55 mph or faster is the largest group at 48%, out of 81 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?
2017 is the most common model year in 186 complaints naming this part (15%); 4 model years account for 54%.
What it shows: 2017 is the largest at 27 (15%), followed by 2015 at 18 (10%); the smallest shown is 2025 at 4 (2%).
Are the parts for this repair getting more expensive, or only the labor?
The federal producer price index for new steering and suspension parts rose 10.9% 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 steering and suspension parts, as shops buy them from makers, since December 2019, against consumer prices for motor vehicle repair. New steering and suspension parts: +10.9%; 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 2 equipment recalls that name leaf spring since 2015 (suspension and steering), covering 14,207 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Lippert in 2023, covered 13,997.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Lippert: 8000lb Brake Axle, 7000lb Brake Axle | rear springs | certain Curt 7000 and 8000 lb axles. The U-bolts may have been improperly tightened, which can cause the axle. | 13,997 |
| 2019 | Imt Standen'S Limited Partnership: 3 Leaf Tapered Spring | rear springs | certain 3 Leaf Tapered Springs, part numbers 355-00 and TRA 2727, sold as aftermarket replacements. | 210 |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 2 NHTSA recalls that name leaf spring filed 2015 to 2024, 75.4% of the 1,490 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 367 vehicles still carrying the defect.
| Year | Vehicles | Recalled vehicles | Repaired | Component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500, Sprinter 2500 | 1,232 | 77.3% | rear springs |
| 2021 | Chevrolet 5500hd, 4500xd; | 258 | 66.3% | rear springs |
Which counties have the roughest roads?
FHWA's road-condition records show poor ride quality (above 170 inches per mile of roughness) on 89.1% of measured road miles in District of Columbia, DC, 74.1% in Baltimore city, MD and 65.4% in Marion County, WV, against 13.8% in the median county.
What it shows: District of Columbia, DC is the largest at 89.1%, followed by Baltimore city, MD at 74.1%; the smallest shown is New Castle County, DE at 51.9%.
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 2 recall campaigns for parts matched to a leaf spring replacement since model year 2015, covering about 1,258 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 leaf spring replacement since model year 2015 | 2 recall campaigns covering about 1,258 vehicles |
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24V-517 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 1500 2023–2024; Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2500 2023–2024; Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 3500 2023–2024 | 1,232 | An axle that moves out of position can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 20V-426 | Mercedes-Benz Sprinter (vs30) 2019 | 26 | The incorrect leaf spring shims may negatively affect vehicle handling, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford | Ranger 2024–2025 | SSM 53822 | May 22, 2025 | When replacing the rear leaf spring assemblies on 2024-2025 Ranger vehicles built on and before 28-Apr-2025, if the vehicle was equipped with composite leaf springs, replacement of both the driver side and passenger side with steel leaf springs will be. |
| GMC | Sierra 1500 2020–2024 | PIT6177A | Sep 12, 2024 | This Preliminary information communicates an issues of the left rear leaf spring making a squeaking noise due to diesel fuel contamination that may occur during refueling after the fuel nozzle is removed from the fuel filler pipe. |
| Volvo | XC90 2023; S90 2023 and 7 more | A10246 | Sep 26, 2023 | The corrective action is to inspect the leaf spring and only replace if the matching serial number is found in the Serial Number Matrix located in TIE. |
| GMC | Canyon 2015–2025 | 17-NA-394 | May 1, 2023 | This technical bulletin provides a procedure for lubricating the rear leaf springs and re-torque the bolts to correct a squeak, clunking noise. |
| Chevrolet | Silverado 2500 2015–2025; Silverado 3500 2015–2025 | 21-NA-138 | Oct 20, 2022 | This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of a Squeak, Grind or Clunking Noise from Rear Leaf Springs. |
| Chevrolet | Silverado 3500 2020–2024; Silverado 2500 2020–2024 | 20-NA-022 | Jul 19, 2022 | This technical bulletin provides a procedure to re-torque the leaf spring u bolts to correct a condition of Clunking Noise from Rear of Vehicle (Re-torque Leaf Spring Bolts). |
41 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?
3 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
The rear leaf spring broke on my 2024 Toyota Tacoma at approximately 16,000 miles during normal highway driving.
Right rear leaf spring was found to be broken on vehicle 2ith 70,000 miles by Ford technician during oil change.
Within first 5000 miles left rear leaf spring started to uncoil and had to be replaced followed by right rear.
Check your car
The default leaf spring replacement cost is $423–$1,460, parts and labor at $120 an hour for one spring. Scope decides most of it: an add-a-leaf kit costs a fraction of a full pack, and replacing both sides roughly doubles the bill.
What the Price Covers and Leaves Out
The estimate covers the spring, new hardware such as U-bolts and bushings where the scope calls for them, and the labor to lower the axle, swap the spring and reinstall. A dealership at about $175 an hour runs $529–$1,778; an independent shop at about $100 an hour runs $385–$1,345. Vehicle class moves the price less: economy cars are $398–$1,360, and SUVs, trucks and luxury models are $449–$1,560.
How Scope, Grade and Quantity Change the Number
| Choice | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Add-a-leaf kit (corrects sag, keeps original pack) | $257–$875 |
| Full spring pack replacement | $603–$2,104 |
| OEM-equivalent parts (AC Delco, Monroe) | $518–$1,842 |
| Front axle (harder access) | $459–$1,563 |
| 2 springs (pair, both sides) | $783–$2,702 |
| Rust belt location | $493–$1,668 |
The pair row is the practical one. A new spring beside a worn one leaves the vehicle sitting uneven, which is why replacing both sides is recommended. The add-a-leaf kit is the cheap route only when the problem is sag and the existing leaves are sound; it does nothing for a cracked or broken leaf.
What the Estimate Leaves Out
Rust-seized bolts, a bent shackle or worn bushings found once the old spring is off add parts and labor. An alignment or a load-height check after the work is usually billed separately. Ask for the shop's rate for that extra work before you approve the job.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace just one leaf spring?
Mechanically yes, but replacing the pair keeps ride height level and is the recommended choice.
Does an add-a-leaf kit fix a broken spring?
No. It corrects sag and keeps the original pack, so a cracked or broken leaf still needs replacement.
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 WPU14120502); BLS Consumer Price Index item SETD for the repair row downloaded August 2026
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall quarterly reports (basis of the Annual List of Recall Completion Rates) downloaded 2026-10-05
- FHWA Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) national section data, roughness (IRI) by county; poor-ride cut from the FHWA Conditions and Performance Report data from 2026
- 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 ($859–$1,025) on 2026-10-10: our default's midpoint is 0% 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