Repair cost · Electrical & Sensors
Starter Replacement Cost
Average cost: A starter replacement costs between $565 and $796 on average, according to RepairPal's national estimate. Labor accounts for $191 to $280 and parts for $375 – $516. The figures exclude taxes and fees, and your price depends on your vehicle and where you live.
| National average, parts and labor | $565–$796 |
|---|---|
| Sources checked | 1 |
RepairPal puts the national average for a starter replacement at $565 to $796, before taxes and fees. Based on the midpoints of RepairPal's ranges, labor makes up about 35% of the bill and parts about 65%. Your quote can be higher or lower depending on the make, model and engine of your car, the parts used and local labor rates.
Cost breakdown
| RepairPal national average | |
|---|---|
| Total | $565 – $796 |
| Labor | $191 – $280 |
| Parts | $375 – $516 |
Source: RepairPal estimate, last updated September 3, 2026. Excludes taxes and fees and does not adjust for location.
What the starter does
The starter is an electric motor that turns the engine over when you start the car. When you turn the key or press the start button, a solenoid pushes a small gear into the flywheel and the motor spins the engine until it fires.
Signs of a failing starter
- A single click, or rapid clicking, when you try to start the car.
- The engine does not crank, but the dashboard lights work.
- A grinding noise during starting.
- The starter keeps running after the engine starts.
- Intermittent starting problems that come and go.
- Smoke or a burning smell from under the car near the starter.
Is it really the starter?
A weak battery, corroded battery cables, a bad ground connection, a faulty ignition switch, a failed relay, or a neutral safety switch on automatic cars can all cause no-start symptoms. A good shop will test the battery and the starter circuit before replacing the starter.
Why the cost varies
Parts make up most of the average cost. Labor depends on access. On some cars the starter is easy to reach from above or below; on others it is tucked behind the exhaust, intake manifold or other parts, which adds time.
New or remanufactured?
Like alternators, starters are commonly sold remanufactured with a warranty, which keeps costs down. New original-equipment starters cost more. Ask which one is quoted.
Can you do it yourself?
On many vehicles, a starter is held by a couple of bolts and a few electrical connections. If you can reach it safely and disconnect the battery first, it is a manageable DIY job. If the car must be lifted high or other parts removed, a shop is the better choice.
Questions to ask the shop
- Did you test the battery, cables and starter circuit?
- Is the replacement new or remanufactured?
- What warranty covers the starter?
How the job is done
- The shop tests the battery, cables and starter circuit.
- The battery's negative terminal is disconnected.
- The car is raised if the starter is reached from below, and any heat shields or parts in the way are removed.
- The starter's electrical connections and mounting bolts are removed, and the starter comes out.
- The new starter is installed, bolted in and reconnected.
- The battery is reconnected and the starter is tested several times.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my car click but not start? A single click often points to a starter or solenoid problem; rapid clicking often points to a weak battery or poor connection.
Can tapping the starter get it to work? Sometimes, on older starters with worn contacts, but it is a temporary trick that confirms the starter needs replacing.
Can a bad starter drain the battery? A starter that stays engaged or has an internal short can drain the battery.
Do push-button start cars have starters? Yes. The button replaces the key, but a conventional starter motor still turns the engine on most cars.
Is your quote fair?
Compare your written quote with the national range above. A quote well above $796 is not automatically wrong, because some vehicles need more parts or more hours, but it is worth asking the shop to explain the difference. Ask for the quote to be split into parts and labor, and for the parts to be listed by name and brand. If the labor portion is far above $280, ask how many hours the shop is charging and what makes your car take longer. Getting a second written quote for the same parts is the simplest way to check a price.
What happens if you wait
A failing starter often gives warning: slow or uneven cranking, a grinding noise, or an occasional click with no crank. The problem tends to get worse, and one day the car will not start. Grinding noises are particularly important, because they can mean the starter gear is not engaging the flywheel ring gear cleanly, which can damage the ring gear. Replacing a flywheel or flexplate is a much larger job than a starter.
Rule out the battery first
Many no-start problems are blamed on the starter when the battery or cables are at fault. Corroded or loose terminals, a weak battery or a damaged ground cable can make a good starter fail to crank. The shop should test the battery and voltage at the starter before replacing it.
Choosing a replacement
Remanufactured starters are common and usually come with a warranty. New units cost more. Ask about the warranty length and whether the old starter is required as a core for the quoted price.
Heat and starter life
Starters mounted close to the exhaust can fail early from heat. A heat shield, often supplied with the original starter, protects the solenoid and wiring; make sure it goes back on during replacement. Some starters are buried under the intake manifold or behind other parts, which explains why labor varies so much between vehicles. If the starter keeps failing early, the shop should check the battery cables and grounds for voltage drop, since poor connections make the starter draw more current and overheat.
Getting stranded with a bad starter
If the car only clicks and will not crank, check the battery terminals first. Push-starting works only on manual transmissions, so automatic cars usually need a jump or a tow. Mention any grinding noises to the shop, since they affect what is inspected.