Home › Repairs › Exhaust

How Much Does Muffler Replacement Cost?

Updated October 2026 By RepairCostLab Editorial Team

Expect to pay $135 to $540 at an independent shop for a typical car, and up to $645 at a dealership. A rusted-out muffler makes the car loud and can let exhaust fumes leak. Most muffler shops replace it in under an hour.

Parts$80–$300
Labor$55–$240
Shop time0.5–1.5 hours
DIY difficultyIntermediate (3/5)

Estimate your cost

Vehicle type Where you'll get it fixed Your area

–estimated total

Parts –

Labor –

Time –

Ranges cover aftermarket to OEM parts and typical book labor times. How we calculate this.

Muffler Replacement cost by vehicle type

Vehicle	Parts	Labor	Total
Compact / economy car e.g. Civic, Corolla, Elantra	$80–$300	$55–$240	$135–$540
Midsize sedan / crossover e.g. Camry, Accord, RAV4, CR-V	$90–$345	$60–$265	$155–$610
Truck / full-size SUV e.g. F-150, Silverado, Tahoe	$105–$390	$65–$275	$165–$665
Luxury / European e.g. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus	$145–$540	$70–$310	$215–$850

Independent shop, average US labor rates. Aftermarket direct-fit mufflers. Welded-in systems may need pipe sections cut and welded.

Independent shop vs. dealer vs. chain

Where	Hourly rate	Typical total
Independent shop	$110–$160	$155–$610
Chain (Midas, Firestone…)	$120–$175	$160–$635
Dealership	$160–$230	$180–$725

Shown for a midsize sedan or crossover.

What does it do?

The muffler reduces engine exhaust noise using chambers and baffles.

Signs you need this repair

Much louder exhaust
Rattling under the car
Visible rust holes
Exhaust smell in the cabin
Hanging or dragging exhaust

Can you do it yourself?

Difficulty: Intermediate (3/5). Clamp-on designs are manageable; welded systems need a shop.

Doing it yourself saves the labor portion, roughly $55–$240, so you would pay only for parts ($80–$300).

Is it worth fixing?

Yes. A leaking exhaust can let carbon monoxide into the cabin and fail inspection.

How to save money

Independent muffler shops are typically cheaper than dealers for exhaust work.
Ask whether only the muffler or the entire rear section needs replacing.

Questions to ask your mechanic

Is only the muffler bad, or the rear pipe too?
Is the replacement clamped or welded?
Are the hangers and heat shields in good shape?

Asking for a written, itemized estimate (parts, labor hours and hourly rate) is your right in most states and makes quotes easy to compare.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a muffler last?

Five to seven years on average; less in road-salt states.

Is a loud muffler illegal?

Most states have noise laws, and a leaking exhaust can fail inspection.

Can a muffler leak be dangerous?

Yes, carbon monoxide can enter the cabin.

Related repair costs

Sources and methodology

Estimates combine typical book labor times, current aftermarket and OEM parts prices, and 2026 US shop labor rates. See exactly how we calculate them.

Found a price that looks wrong for your area? Tell us: we review every correction.