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 ($786)MiddleHigher-cost states ($1,001)
What it shows: CA is the highest at $1,001 and AR the lowest at $786, 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 (49%). The biggest difference from all complaints is under 50,000: 24% against 60%.
What it shows: The most common band for complaints about this repair is 6-9 years (52%), against 23% for all complaints: the biggest difference between the two.
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
1,229 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.
What do owners say it led to?
Among the 1,229 owner complaints naming this part, owners most often say engine damage followed.
What owners say happened after the problem. Engine damage: 53 (4%); Loss of power: 20 (2%); Stalled while driving: 5 (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 1,229 owner complaints naming this part, thermostat is named in 11% of them, more than any other part.
Owners name the thermostat most often in the same complaint, which is not proof that one caused the other. Ask the shop whether it checked the thermostat too, so you are not quoted twice for one visit.
What did owners say they paid?
Half of the 44 owners who wrote a dollar amount gave $2,369 or less; one in ten wrote more than $6,186.
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 41%.
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 1,229 owner complaints naming this part, being towed is the outcome owners report most often.
What it shows: Towed is the largest at 86, followed by Fire reported at 15; the smallest shown is Injury reported at 2.
Which model years show up most in the complaints?
Among the 1,229 owner complaints naming this part that state a model year, complaints cluster in a few model years instead of spreading evenly.
What it shows: 2016 is the largest at 272 (22%); the smallest shown is 2024 at 5 (0%).
Which engine sizes show up most in complaints about this part?
Among 1,140 owner complaints about this part where the VIN identifies the vehicle, 40% involve engines of 3.1 to 4.0 L, against 25% of complaints about all the parts we track.
What it shows: 3.1 to 4.0 L is the largest at 40%, followed by 1.6 to 2.0 L at 23%; the smallest shown is over 5.0 L at 5%.
Has the replacement part I am buying been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 equipment recalls that name water pump since 2015 (engine and vehicle speed control), covering 118 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Vmac Global Technology Inc in 2017, covered 93.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Vmac Global Technology Inc: Underhood Air Compressor | cooling system fan | certain VR 150 Underhood Air Compressors, part number V910022, and VR 70 Underhood Air Compressors, part. | 93 |
| 2025 | Nova Bus (Us) Inc.: Mcp Water Pump, Ecp Water Pump | cooling system pump | certain Ametek MCP and ECP water pumps. The impeller shaft may be loose, causing the pump to fail. | 25 |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 6 foreign recall campaigns that name water pump with NHTSA since 2015 (matched by the filing text); the latest, from Suzuki Motor USA in 2024-10.
| Filed | Manufacturer | Foreign recall no. | What the filing says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-10 | Suzuki Motor | 225 | Description of Condition In specific regions where salt water from severe atmospheric phenomena may accumulate onto the fuel pump, the fuel pump discharge port resin material may become deteriorated from extended contact with compounds present in the salt. |
| 2021-09 | Volvo Car | 206 | 20590 Submittal of TREAD report form per 49 CFR, Part 579, subpart B Subject: R10108 � Water Cover Dear Mr. |
| 2020-10 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 199 | In addition, the belt may detach from the water pump, making it inoperative, and the temperature of engine coolant could rise, resulting in an audible alert sounding and the engine coolant warning light illuminating. |
| 2020-06 | Ford Motor Company | 106 | Sincerely, desi ujkashevic attachment docusign envelope id: ad03417e-b177-43e7-afc0-988a80d63629 global recall process report of field action manufacturer ford � europe type of action update prior to sale-includes vehicles at dealers field action number 20s24. |
| 2017-05 | Ford Motor Company | 087 | Global recall process report of field action manufacturer ford-north america type of action safety field action number 17s13 subject 2011-12 f-150 3.5l gtdi � hard brake pedal on startup � electric brake vacuum pump make, model and model year affected model. |
| 2023-03 | Jaguar Land Rover | 056 | Sincerely, jacob azria jaguar land rover north america, llc attachment -1- attachment global recall process report of field action manufacturer jaguar land rover limited type of action safety recall field action number h433 subject certain 2021 - 2023 model. |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 2 NHTSA recalls that name water pump filed 2015 to 2024, 82.3% of the 446,755 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 78,946 vehicles still carrying the defect.
| Year | Vehicles | Recalled vehicles | Repaired | Component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Ram 5500, 4500 | 443,874 | 82.4% | engine diesel |
| 2023 | Land Rover Range Rover Sport Phev, Range Rover Phev | 2,881 | 71.4% | cooling system |
Which counties get the weather that wears this part?
FEMA's National Risk Index puts Tulsa County, OK, Shelby County, TN and Maricopa County, AZ highest for heat waves, about 26.26 events a year, against 5.39 in the median county. Heat waves push cooling systems toward overheating.
What it shows: Tulsa County, OK is the largest at 26.26, followed by Shelby County, TN at 21.74; the smallest shown is Oklahoma County, OK at 18.16.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeep | Grand Wagoneer 2022–2026; Wagoneer 2022–2026 | 9100789 | Mar 26, 2026 | Before replacing the water pump on 3.0L SO/HO, please follow the updated water pump inspection diagnostic procedure to confirm the leak persists "09 - Engine, 3.0L GMET6 / Cooling System / Engine Cooling / Diagnosis and Testing / cooling system. |
| Chrysler | Pacifica Plug-IN Hybrid 2019–2026; Pacifica 2019–2026 and 1 more | 110448 | Feb 23, 2026 | The bulletin file gives no description beyond its title (water). |
| Jeep | Grand Cherokee 2024–2026; Grand Cherokee 4xe 2024–2026 and 4 more | S2607000003 | Feb 12, 2026 | GMET4 DOHC water pump coolant leak. |
| Jeep | Grand Cherokee L 2023–2026; Grand Cherokee 2023–2026 and 3 more | S2607000002 | Feb 2, 2026 | Hemi water pump coolant leak. |
| RAM | 1500 2017–2026; Promaster 2017–2026 | 109724 | Jan 21, 2026 | Water pump & chain case. |
| Alfa Romeo | Tonale 2023–2025; Tonale Phev 2024 | 9100723 | Nov 7, 2025 | 1. Identify Customer Concern Check for small traces of coolant near the water pump, especially around the weeper chamber. |
46 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 (3)
| Maker | Vehicles | Date | Notice number | What the maker extended |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audi | A3 2008–2013; A4 2009–2014; A5 2009–2014 and 2 more | Jan 8, 2020 | AWA 19 | Water. |
| Volkswagen | GTI 2008–2014; Jetta 2008–2014; Passat 2008–2010 and 1 more | Jan 8, 2020 | VWP-19 | Water. |
| Chevrolet | Cruze 2011–2014; Sonic 2011–2014 | Sep 7, 2016 | G-208432 | Water pump leaking from weep reservoir or shaft. |
What do owners say?
4 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
Leaking oil, losing coolant $3280.00 repairs 4/1/2024 water pump 4/6/2024 Turbo coolant feedline Safety concern, I commute via I-95.
I have replaced the water pump three times costing me close to $1000.00.
Instead, I have had the following timeline since not receiving the notification: Extended Warranty expires: February 2023 Replace Water pump, costing $1666.82 in May 2023 Replace Auxillary pump, all vehicle filters, and spark plugs in August/September 2023.
The timing belt and water pump had to be replaced, costing an additional $1-2k.
Check your car
Our calculator's default estimate is $788–$1,020 for an economy sedan with a serpentine-belt-driven water pump at a chain shop charging $120 an hour. The biggest thing that moves it is how your engine drives the pump: a pump driven by the timing belt costs more, because the job takes more labor.
What does the water pump estimate cover and leave out?
The estimate covers the pump and the shop labor to swap it, for the vehicle class and shop rate named beside the range. It is a range for a typical car, not a quote for yours.
It leaves out whatever a shop adds on top. Ask whether the quote includes fresh coolant, the gasket or seal, and a leak check after the refill. Ask whether it includes a thermostat, a belt or a timing belt kit, and if so, what each costs on its own line. Taxes, disposal fees and a diagnostic fee are separate too.
If a quote lands well above the range for your drive type, ask what is being added before you pay.
How much does the drive type and vehicle change the price?
Here are the calculator's ranges for each setting. Every row keeps the other inputs at the default.
| Setting | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Default: economy sedan, serpentine-belt-driven pump | $788–$1,020 |
| Timing belt-driven pump, economy sedan | $920–$1,320 |
| SUV, truck or luxury and performance car | $938–$1,520 |
The timing belt row assumes 3.5 to 6 hours of labor, which is why it sits above the default. The SUV, truck and luxury row is the serpentine-driven pump on a larger or more complex engine. A car that is both big and timing belt-driven costs more than either row alone, so run your own car through the calculator instead of adding rows in your head.
Do I need the timing belt done at the same time?
Only if your pump is driven by it. If it is, the quote for the pump alone may reuse a belt that is already old, so ask the shop whether a new timing belt is part of the visit and what it adds. If the pump is driven by the serpentine belt, ask instead whether the serpentine belt looks worn, since it comes off for the job.
The calculator has switches to add a timing belt and a thermostat, so you can see what each extra does to the range. Either way, ask the shop to say in writing which parts are being replaced. That one line lets you compare two quotes for the same job.
How do I get a fair quote?
Call two or three shops and give each the same details: year, make, model and engine size. Ask which belt drives the pump on your engine, and ask each shop to list the pump, labor, coolant and any extra parts as separate lines.
Compare quotes against the calculator range for your drive type, not against each other alone. A quote far below the range may leave something out, such as the coolant or the leak check. A quote far above it deserves a question about what extra work is included.
Ask what warranty comes with the pump and the labor, and whether it is in writing. A repeat leak after the swap is a labor problem the shop should own.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace the water pump myself?
Some owners do on engines where the pump is easy to reach. Timing belt-driven pumps are the riskier job, because a mistake with the belt can damage the engine. Check your service manual first.
Is an aftermarket pump as good as the original?
Ask the shop which brand it uses and what warranty comes with it. A cheaper pump with a short warranty can cost more if it leaks again and the labor is billed twice.
Does an independent shop cost less than a dealership?
In the calculator an independent shop at $100 an hour comes to $740–$950 and a dealership at $175 an hour to $920–$1,213 for the default car. Compare written quotes, because the parts and the extras decide the total.
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
- NHTSA owner complaint files with VINs decoded by NHTSA vPIC data from 2025
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall flat file (equipment recalls, report type E) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, Foreign Campaigns (filings under 49 CFR 579.11, public API) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, recall quarterly reports (basis of the Annual List of Recall Completion Rates) file downloaded 2026-10-05
- FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (December 2025), county table: annualized frequency per hazard file downloaded 2025-12
Terms: US government data, public domain.
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.
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 ($891–$1,135) on 2026-10-04: our default's midpoint is 11% below the middle of that range. Methodology