Home › Repairs › Engine

How Much Does Timing Belt Replacement Cost?

Updated October 2026 By RepairCostLab Editorial Team

Expect to pay $420 to $1,310 at an independent shop for a typical car, and up to $1,730 at a dealership. A timing belt is a scheduled maintenance item, not something you wait to fail. On many engines a snapped belt destroys the valves, so this is one repair worth doing on time.

Parts$90–$350
Labor$330–$960
Shop time3–6 hours
DIY difficultyPro only (5/5)

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.

Timing Belt Replacement cost by vehicle type

Vehicle	Parts	Labor	Total
Compact / economy car e.g. Civic, Corolla, Elantra	$90–$350	$330–$960	$420–$1,310
Midsize sedan / crossover e.g. Camry, Accord, RAV4, CR-V	$105–$400	$365–$1,055	$465–$1,460
Truck / full-size SUV e.g. F-150, Silverado, Tahoe	$115–$455	$380–$1,105	$495–$1,560
Luxury / European e.g. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus	$160–$630	$430–$1,250	$590–$1,880

Independent shop, average US labor rates. A full kit (belt, tensioner, idlers) is recommended and sits at the upper end.

Independent shop vs. dealer vs. chain

Where	Hourly rate	Typical total
Independent shop	$110–$160	$465–$1,460
Chain (Midas, Firestone…)	$120–$175	$500–$1,560
Dealership	$160–$230	$630–$1,920

Shown for a midsize sedan or crossover.

What does it do?

The timing belt keeps the crankshaft and camshafts turning in perfect sync so the valves open and close at the right moment.

Signs you need this repair

Reaching the manufacturer interval (often 60,000–105,000 miles)
Ticking noise from the front of the engine
Engine misfire or rough running
Engine will not start (belt already broken)

Can you do it yourself?

Difficulty: Pro only (5/5). Requires precise timing alignment and often special locking tools. Mistakes can bend valves. Best left to a shop.

Doing it yourself saves the labor portion, roughly $330–$960, so you would pay only for parts ($90–$350).

Is it worth fixing?

Yes, as preventive maintenance. A snapped belt on an interference engine can destroy the valves and cost more than the car is worth. If you plan to keep the car past the belt interval, do it.

How to save money

Do the water pump at the same time if it is behind the belt.
Check whether your engine uses a timing chain instead: chains usually last the life of the engine.
Ask for a quote with a complete kit, not just the belt.

Questions to ask your mechanic

Is my engine an interference engine?
Does the price include a full kit with tensioner, idlers and water pump?
What mileage was the belt last replaced, if there is a record?

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

What happens if the timing belt breaks?

The engine stops immediately. On "interference" engines the pistons hit the valves, which can cost $2,000–$4,000 or more to repair.

How often should a timing belt be replaced?

Follow the owner's manual. Common intervals are every 60,000 to 105,000 miles or 7 to 10 years.

Does my car have a timing belt or chain?

Many modern engines use chains. Check the maintenance schedule in your manual or ask a parts store with your VIN.

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.