Same job at other shop types (everything else as set above): Independent shop (~$100/hr) $624–$1,195 · Chain shop / franchise (~$120/hr) $670–$1,242 (the headline above) · Dealership (~$175/hr) $761–$1,333. 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.
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 (88%), 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 (51%). The biggest difference from all complaints is 6-9 years: 9% against 23%.
Is it urgent, and what do owners notice first?
110 owner complaints name this part.
What owners describe. Coolant or fluid leak: 22%; Recall mentioned: 14%; Dealer could not fix or repeat repair: 11%.
Owners most often describe "coolant or fluid leak", in 22% of these complaints.
How fast were owners driving when it happened?
55 mph or faster is the largest group at 54%, out of 37 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 110 complaints naming this part (33%); 2 model years account for 50%.
What it shows: 2017 is the largest at 36 (33%), followed by 2015 at 7 (6%); the smallest shown is 2020 at 1 (1%).
Has the replacement part I am buying been recalled?
NHTSA lists 24 equipment recalls that name wheel since 2015 (tires and wheels), covering 568,339 items sold as parts rather than whole vehicles; the largest, by Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) in 2025, covered 406,290.
| Year | Maker and product | NHTSA component | Defect | Items |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Honda (American Honda Motor Co.): 18" Alloy Wheel | wheels | certain 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels sold as accessories for 2016-2021 Civic vehicles. | 406,290 |
| 2015 | Alcoa Inc.: Aluminum Wheel | wheels | certain 22.5" X 8.25" aluminum wheels, model number 88367X, manufactured from April 27, 2015, through May 19. | 45,794 |
| 2023 | Revhd: Hubcaps | hubcap/cover | certain oil and PSI oil Hubcaps with part number RHO-T03&-S01&-T04, and sizes 6" to 8". | 37,020 |
| 2026 | Vision Wheel, Inc.: Aluminum Aftermarket Wheel | wheels | certain aftermarket aluminum wheels with part number 640-6744GBMF38, 640-6765GBMF40, 640-7710GBMF40. | 36,661 |
| 2023 | Dexter Axle Company: St 200 | sidewall | certain Goodride ST 200 tire and wheel assemblies with size: ST235/80R16 LRE tires. | 19,808 |
| 2022 | Saf-Holland: Ulx40 | hub | certain ULX40 trailer axles, part number 1004300026950. | 7,040 |
| 2018 | Tap Worldwide, Llc: 8-Lug Wheel Center Caps | hub | certain LRG Rims 8-Lug aftermarket Wheel Center Caps, models LRG107 and LRG108. | 3,619 |
| 2018 | Meritor, Inc.: Wheel Stud | wheels | certain Wheel Studs, part number 09001988, installed in steer axle hubs. | 3,300 |
| 2018 | Tap Worldwide, Llc: Extended Thread Lug Nuts | lugs/nuts/bolts/studs | certain Pro Comp Extended Thread Lug Nuts, part numbers 21138, 21138B, and 26148 marketed as an accessory. | 2,720 |
| 2021 | American Chrome Company: Mack Hubcap Kit, Volvo Hubcap. | hubcap/cover | certain One Piece Hub Cap Kits specifically for certain Volvo and Mack vehicles. | 1,357 |
Has this part been recalled abroad on cars that may share it?
Manufacturers filed 148 foreign recall campaigns that name wheel with NHTSA since 2015; the latest, from Mercedes-Benz USA in 2026-09. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-12 | Daimler Coaches | 229 | If a 1:1 bevel gear is installed instead of 1.117:1, the wheel steering angles required in accordance with UN ECE-R 79 (section 6.2.5) in the event of a steering system failure can no longer be achieved. |
| 2025-11 | Toyota Motor Corporation | 198 | Vehicles are equipped with a brake actuator which contains either one or four linear type pressure solenoid valve(s) that control the wheel cylinder pressure. |
| 2025-10 | Ford Motor Company | 159 | Vehicles with this condition can experience abnormal rear wheel noise while driving, wheel damag |
| 2026-09 | Mercedes-Benz | 145 | On certain Model Year 2026-2027 C-Class (206 platform) and E- Class (214 platform) vehicles, the material properties of the front axle wheel hubs might not meet current production specifications. |
| 2025-08 | Jaguar Land Rover | 126 | The overheat condition is caused by the use of different radius wheels and tires between the front and rear axles. |
| 2025-08 | Hyundai Motor America | 120 | Description of the defect/noncompliance: The subject vehicle(s) contain wheel nuts that may not have been properly tightened during assembly. |
How many recalled cars are actually fixed, so should I check mine?
Across 14 NHTSA recalls that name wheel filed 2015 to 2024, 42.9% of the 466,533 recalled vehicles had been repaired after 8 quarters, against 66.2% for all recalls, which leaves about 266,602 vehicles still carrying the defect.
| Year | Vehicles | Recalled vehicles | Repaired | Component |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Ram 3500, 4500; Dodge Ram 5500, Ram 4500 | 447,985 | 41.0% | lugs/nuts/bolts/studs |
| 2024 | Toyota Highlander | 4,869 | 86.3% | tires |
| 2023 | Subaru Ascent | 4,409 | 98.1% | tires |
| 2022 | Ford F-150 | 1,519 | 75.5% | lugs/nuts/bolts/studs |
| 2023 | Ford Ranger, Bronco | 1,434 | 89.9% | lugs/nuts/bolts/studs |
| 2023 | Subaru Solterra | 1,182 | 99.8% | hub |
| 2020 | Mercedes-Benz Amg Gt63, Amg Gt53 | 1,142 | 91.9% | hubcap/cover |
| 2021 | Volvo Vnl, Vah | 1,050 | 65.8% | hubcap/cover |
Was my tire a known defect, and which tire lines has NHTSA recalled?
NHTSA lists 139 tire recall campaigns filed since 2015 (every tire recall), covering 4,604,281 tires; the largest, Amp Mud Terrain Attack M/T in 2024, covered 673,000.
What it shows: Amp Mud Terrain Attack M/T is the largest at 673,000, followed by Michelin Agilis Crossclimate C-Metric at 542,110; the smallest shown is Bf Goodrich Commercial T/A A/S 2 at 104,000.
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 1 recall campaigns for parts matched to a wheel replacement since model year 2015, covering about 952 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 wheel replacement since model year 2015 | 1 recall campaigns covering about 952 vehicles |
Does my car have to have a tire pressure sensor, and when does it warn?
Federal standard FMVSS 138 requires a car's tire pressure warning light to come on within 20 minutes once a tire is 25 percent or more below the recommended pressure, phased in at 20% of cars (2005 to 2006), 70% (2006 to 2007) and every car built from September 1, 2007, so a car from that date forward has a sensor to service.
| Requirement | What the standard says |
|---|---|
| Applies to | cars, multipurpose vehicles, trucks and buses of 10,000 pounds or less (not dual-rear-wheel vehicles) |
| vehicles built October 5, 2005 to August 31, 2006 | at least 20% of a maker's cars had to comply |
| vehicles built on or after September 1, 2007 | every car must comply |
| vehicles built September 1, 2006 to August 31, 2007 | at least 70% of a maker's cars had to comply |
| Warning light | The warning light must come on within 20 minutes once one or more tires is at or below 25 percent under the recommended cold pressure. |
Is it recalled or covered?
| Recall number | Vehicles | Cars recalled | What the recall says |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26V-496 | GMC Sierra EV 2026; Chevrolet Silverado EV 2026 | 952 | A cracked wheel may lead to disc separation and a loss of control, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan | Sentra 2020 | PM946 2020 Sentr | Apr 8, 2020 | Wheel Replacement Dealer Inventory *****Detailed Information***** Nissan is conducting a dealer inventory quality action on 11 MY2020 Sentra (B18) vehicles identified in Service Comm to ensure the correct wheels with center caps and tire pressure sensors have. |
| Audi | A7 2015 | Dealer Letter an | Jan 30, 2015 | This document contains the notice of the upcoming customer satisfaction campaign 44L6 regarding wheel replacement. |
What do owners say?
3 complaints quoted word for word, each with its NHTSA number.
The first wheel cracked at approximately 25,000 miles.
After persistent arguing and a 5-hour wait at the service center, I was finally given a report showing a $2,338.99 wheel replacement recommendation, not covered by warranty.
Right rear wheel cracked and lost air pressure after 4,000 miles, left rear wheel cracked and lost air pressure after 6,800 miles.
Check your car
Wheel replacement cost is $670–$1,242 for one OEM alloy wheel, parts and labor, with mounting and balancing included. Wheel material moves the price far more than anything else: steel sits at the low end and forged luxury wheels at the top.
What the price covers and leaves out
The default estimate is for one wheel: the wheel itself, labor to remove the damaged one, mounting the tire, and balancing. The calculator assumes a typical mounting and balancing job is included. It does not assume a new tire, an alignment, or a replacement tire pressure sensor.
Tire damage is the usual hidden extra. A bent or cracked wheel often comes with a tire that cannot be reused, and a quote that lists only the wheel can double once the tire is added. Ask whether the figure includes the tire.
What moves the number
Material and size are the main drivers, and shop type adds a smaller layer on top. The table below uses the calculator's ranges for one wheel unless noted.
| Factor | Option | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Steel wheel | $406–$670 |
| Material | Alloy, OEM replacement | $898–$1,595 |
| Material | Luxury / forged OEM | $1,757–$3,499 |
| Diameter | 15–16 inch | $608–$1,092 |
| Diameter | 19–22 inch | $777–$1,490 |
| Shop | Independent (~$100/hr) | $624–$1,195 |
| Shop | Dealership (~$175/hr) | $761–$1,333 |
| Quantity | 2 wheels (one axle) | $1,341–$2,483 |
| Quantity | 4 wheels (full set) | $2,681–$4,967 |
Vehicle class matters less than people expect. An economy car comes in at $616–$1,112, and an SUV or truck at $727–$1,371. The wheel material you choose will swing the total more than the badge on the hood.
What the estimate leaves out
That is a real cost on those cars even when the quote does not list it.
The calculator also leaves out alignment, a replacement tire, and local taxes or shop fees. If the original impact bent a control arm or tie rod, those repairs are separate. Ask the shop to check the suspension while the wheel is off.
Frequently asked questions
Can I replace just one wheel?
Yes. The default range is for one wheel. A mismatched finish on an alloy is cosmetic, but a different diameter or offset is not safe, so the replacement must match.
Is a steel wheel a reasonable swap for a bent alloy?
It costs less, at $406–$670, but it changes the look and adds weight. Check that it fits your hub and brakes before agreeing.
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
- 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
- eCFR, 49 CFR 571.138 Standard No. 138, Tire pressure monitoring systems (NHTSA) data from 2025
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 ($942–$970) on 2026-10-10: our default's midpoint is 0% above 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