Thermostat Replacement Cost

Your car’s thermostat moderates the temperature of the engine, ensuring it never gets too hot or too cold. It also regulates coolant flow, allowing the engine to warm up sufficiently before coolant is introduced. Once that thermostat starts to malfunction, you will be left with some car problems that will affect how it operates, and we are going to walk you through the replacement process for this component.

You will pay between $150 and $200 to have your thermostat replaced. The labor should be around $125, while parts should cost you, on average, about $45.

Thermostat Replacement Cost Comparison

Your Mechanic

Work	Warranty	Price
Parts & Labour	12 months	$131-$245

 

Midas

Work	Warranty	Price
Parts & Labour	12 months	$101-$275

 

Mr. Tire

Work	Warranty	Price
Parts & Labour	12 months	$99-$284

 

NAPA

Work	Warranty	Price
Parts & Labour	24 months	$122-$291

 

Walmart

Work	Warranty	Price
Parts	Limited	$22-$93

 

Amazon

Work	Warranty	Price
Parts	Limited	$28-$72

What Is Thermostat Replacement?

In many cases, this is simple and straightforward replacement job. It may take an hour or two, in most cars, but others may require hours of work and removal of some engine parts. How severe the damage is will also determine how much you have to pay for repairs and how long it all takes. If the thermostat was stuck closed and you still drove the vehicle for a while, then you could have some serious damage to your engine and the surrounding parts.

Benefits of Thermostat Replacement

Getting this problem taken care of means that your vehicle will run smoother and you will get better gas mileage. You will save money on gas and repairs over time, the sooner you have the issue resolved. When you replace a damaged thermostat, you also prevent your engine from overheating and the heater from blowing cold air into the vehicle. Some other benefits are just victories over minor inconveniences, while others are major benefits that will allow you to drive an otherwise almost inoperable vehicle. Either way, it is to your advantage to have this repair done as soon as you can.

What Is Done during Thermostat Replacement?

To get the thermostat out, the mechanic will need to drain out the coolant and then remove the thermostat housing. Then the thermostat itself can be removed. In many cases, the housing will have to be replaced as well, because it is designed to be integral to the thermostat. The mechanic will also clean the engine before putting in the new thermostat. Once the new thermostat is in place, the coolant can be refilled, and the entire system can be bled of air. Then the car will be tested to ensure that there are no further issues.

When to Get Thermostat Replacement

If your thermostat is malfunctioning, it may be stuck open or closed. A closed thermostat will make your vehicle overheat, and you can’t drive it in that condition. It’s simply too risky, and it needs to be towed and repaired right away. On the other hand, if the thermostat is stuck open, then the engine will run cold, and you may have trouble with your gas mileage and with cool air coming from the heater.

It still needs to be repaired at that point, but it isn’t quite as much of an emergency. The kind of problem your thermostat has will tell you how soon you need to get it fixed.

How to Save Money on Thermostat Replacement

You may be able to save some money by doing the repairs yourself. You can buy all the parts you need and change out the thermostat without hiring a mechanic for any of it. However, in some cases, parts of the engine may need to be moved, and specialized tools may be required that you don’t have. You want to be sure that you are not in over your head and that you  can correctly diagnose the issue before committing to making it a DIY job.

If you are inexperienced with this kind of replacement job, then you may be better off having a professional do it for you. You can still save some money, though. Just take some time to source quotes from as many mechanics in your area as you can. You may be able to find some low rates for the service and save quite a bit of money.

Sample Thermostat Replacement Costs

Model	Labor	Parts	Total
Ford F-Series	$99-$126	$32-$65	$131-$191
Chevrolet Silverado	$126-$161	$33-$60	$159-$221
Ford Focus	$171-$218	$32-$65	$203-$283
Toyota Camry	$162-$207	$40-$64	$202-$271
Toyota Corolla	$108-$138	$40-$74	$148-$212
Nissan Altima	$90-$115	$41-$51	$131-$166
Honda CR-V	$108-$138	$31-$59	$139-$197
Honda Civic	$72-$92	$37-$52	$109-$144
Honda Accord	$72-$92	$37-$52	$109-$144
Ford Fusion	$72-$92	$32-$65	$104-$157