How much does it cost to replace an automatic transmission

How much does it cost to replace an automatic transmission

On average, replacing a vehicle transmission costs around $2,600, with average prices the replacement of a transmission ranging from about $1,800 to $3,400 in the US for 2020 according to TransmissionRepairCostGuide.

How Much Does Transmission Repair Cost?

Average transmission repairs can cost about $900 with prices that range from $300 to $1,500 dependent on what type of repair that is required to be completed. For instance, new transmission clutches will cost around $1,150 with average costs that range from $800 to $1,500.

Major transmission repair can quickly cost $1,000 to $2,000 in just the labor and could take as little as a couple of days or up to a month to finish if you’re waiting on parts to come in.

It’s a possibility the culprit may be a simple leak because of a cracked fluid line. That is an easy and inexpensive to fix. At the same time, it could mean the replacement of a failed solenoid or the installation of a brand-new replacement, and each of them can be quite costly. You may even think about choosing a more inexpensive transmission rebuild if that is the case.

What Factors Impact the Turnaround Time For Transmission Repair?

The labor it takes in repairing a vehicle’s transmission is a huge cost factor, and in a lot of cases could account for over half the complete cost. Control your hopes in regard to the turnaround time for the mechanic to finish the repairs. It could take extra time if you are waiting on parts to come in, particularly if they are coming from overseas. Transmission parts are more expensive more for CVT transmissions, as with luxury vehicles, commercial vehicles, heavy duty trucks, and imported transmissions. The availability of parts can be inconvenient; as some parts will take some time to ship.

Common Vehicle Transmission Problems

  • Leaky transmissions
  • Bad or failing clutches
  • Whiny or clunky noises
  • Vibrating and grinding
  • The vehicle will not go into gear
  • Popping in and out of gear
  • Lingering clutch
  • Burning-like smell
  • Squishy clutch pedal
  • Automatic transmission trembles and issues with shifting
  • Check engine light is on
  • Torque converter
  • Solenoid issues
  • Shift delays
  • Noisy when in neutral
  • Reverse and/ or forward gear failure

Vehicle Transmission Repair, & Replacement Service in Glendale, Arizona

We offer transmission repair and replacement, if you think your transmission is going out or would like to have your transmission checked call our team.  Sun West Transmissions & Radiators offer transmission check-ups for FREE that will identify what’s hindering your vehicle from shifting properly. Our technicians are highly trained and can perform transmission repair on any make or model of vehicle you own. Call today to schedule your Transmission Check-up or Repair at (623) 842-0806.

*Disclaimer – These are not actual quotes. Your vehicle transmission repair or replacement cost might be different than the prices you see in this post. For an actual quote for your transmission, contact us today.

Gears are slipping

When you are driving and the car feels like it is shifting into another gear for no reason at all, you are experiencing a slipping transmission. Along with a whining noise, this slippage is associated with a decreased level of transmission fluid and lack of ample maintenance. This will result in damage to the transmission system and will quickly develop into worse issues, such as overheating, that will require immediate and costly repairs of your car’s transmission.

Try testing the level of the transmission fluid using a dip stick every time you drive (especially for long-distance trips). This will help you know if you need to add fluids to get to your destination without burning up the engine. Plus, you do not have to spend a lot of money on checking the levels with a dipstick. It is a practical step in preventing expensive transmission repair jobs.

You might also simply need a transmission flush to clean it out. This is highly recommended maintenance to avoid needing to completely rebuild or replace your transmission and can cost anywhere from $150 – $200.

Shifting gears is too difficult

Have you noticed a change in your car’s behavior when shifting your gears? Does it take a little more effort and patience to get your vehicle into a specified gear? This could be a sign of transmission troubles. Again, testing your fluid levels and topping them off before driving is a quick fix that can prevent more expensive transmission repair costs or getting your fluids flushed.

Keep this in mind please: your transmission will surely experience overheating if the transmission fluid cannot flow freely to the rest of the working or moving parts of the engine. The fluid is responsible of lubricating the parts and cooling them off when they have reached a higher temperature. This could mean a transmission problem is brewing.

Car doesn’t move when put into gear

Have you ever experienced that moment when your car does not move when you put it into a specified gear? Well, just as with other gear problems, if your car is not driving when put into drive or reversing when put into reverse, you are facing a probable transmission problem. Again, check your transmission fluids to seem if simply flushing them or refilling them is all you need.

How much does it cost to replace an automatic transmission

Burnt smell in your car

If there is a burnt smell in your car, this indicates that a transmission repair is needed. And if you ever smell a burnt aroma while driving, then, by all means, stop the car as soon as you can. Again, this could indicate leakage or low levels of transmission fluids, but that the fluids have gotten so low that the engine is overheating.

A burnt smell could further indicate that the leak is too large to simply add fluids each time you drive. If a transmission fluid leak is a large one, then your fluids will probably leak out before reaching your destination, and you are left again with the burnt smell and the engine overheating.

Fluid leaking out of the engine

Leaking fluids is a big problem for your car’s transmission. Eventually, the damage may involve the other working parts of the system. If you are seeing a red, green, or yellow fluid beneath the vehicle, you are most likely experiencing a transmission fluid leakage. The primary source of this leak may come from a seal, a cooler line, or a gasket.

If you aren’t sure if the leak is actually transmission fluid, there are other ways to tell. Checking the dipstick to check the level of the transmission fluid is an easy secondary way to tell. If you see a red fluid under the car along with a low levels of fluid on the dipstick and other signs of transmission problems, take your car to a mechanic right away.

How much does it cost to replace an automatic transmission

Dashboard warning lights

First and foremost, you should check the dashboard of your car for any alarm lights being turned on. Validate if the “CHECK ENGINE LIGHT” is on. This dashboard light alerts the driver that there is a specific issue in your car. This should not be ignored. However, if this light is on, it does not necessarily indicate that there is a problem with the engine itself. Although many drivers will eventually assume that the engine is in trouble, this is a huge misconception. The light indicator will also be turned on for transmission-related problems, overheating of the transmission, and solenoid issues.

Make sure to get a free diagnostic done by your local parts store right away if any dashboard lights turn on and don’t go away. The dashboard light might be alerting you to the need for a transmission repair service immediately.

Humming or Whirring Noise

Any buzzing sound coming from your vehicle is not normal at all. This sound could be coming from your car’s transmission which is experiencing faulty bearing and bad gears. Or the decrease in transmission fluid from a leak might lead to that weird humming sound.

If you hear a weird noise coming from your engine, be sure to take it to a professional mechanic right away to avoid further, more costly repairs.

Is replacing a transmission worth it?

A brand-new transmission costs anything from $1,000 to $7,000+. Therefore, if the current worth of your vehicle ranges from $8,000 to $10,000, replacing the transmission will be worth it. But if your vehicle is under or within the transmission range, it won't make much sense to replace its transmission.

How much does it cost to replace a transmission?

The exact transmission cost will vary, based on your particular vehicle and your service department of choice, but you can expect to pay in the ballpark of $1,800 and $3,400 for brand new parts – and don't forget about the labor costs, which can run between $79 and $189.

Is it better to fix a transmission or replace?

In most cases, a full custom transmission rebuild is the best recommendation. Basically, the transmission is completely dismantled and every single component is inspected. All good parts are cleaned and reinstalled while any damaged parts are replaced with new or refurbished ones.

What is the average life of an automatic transmission?

Time and mileage vary between car drivers and how they use or abuse their transmissions. Still, typical automatic transmissions last around 150,00 to 200,000 miles or approximately 7 years. Cases exist in both extremes; extreme longevity and early failure.