Car Thermostat Replacement Costs | Kelley Blue Book (2024)

FAQs

How much should a car thermostat replacement cost? ›

The average cost for car thermostat replacement is $661 to $747. Enter your vehicle's information to see how much thermostat replacement costs in your local area.

You'll pay between $15 and $300 for the unit in addition to labor ($65 to $100 per hour) to replace an old thermostat with a new one. However, installing a brand-new thermostat is more involved and, therefore, more expensive. A new thermostat installation warrants cutting open a wall and installing brand-new wiring.

An average thermostat replacement takes around 1 hour, with some taking as little as 30 minutes. More problematic replacements can take a little longer where there are issues accessing an awkwardly positioned part or if it's become seriously stuck in place.

Driving with a bad thermostat is like playing Russian roulette with your engine. The longer you drive with a faulty thermostat, the more you risk causing significant damage to your car. The engine might overheat, causing the head gasket to fail or even leading to a cracked engine block.

Luckily, it only takes a few minutes and a couple of tools to change your thermostat yourself. Our guide will show you how to remove the bad thermostat and replace it with a new one!

Thermostat replacement typically costs between $120 and $330, or around $210 on average. The cost of a new thermostat tends to be around $210 nationwide, with most homeowners spending between $120 and $330, including installation.

How much does it cost to replace a car thermostat? The average cost of replacing a car thermostat is £150, with prices ranging from £95 and £215. If the faulty thermostat has caused overheating, it can result in damage to other parts of the engine such as the head gasket which is a further, more costlier repair.

Replacing an analog or digital thermostat is one of those DIY projects you can do yourself. Analog thermostats are easier to install but digital ones offer more advanced features, such as programmable settings.

However, most car experts recommend car thermostat replacement after 10 years. However, this is an optimistic number. Thermostats are more likely to stop working much earlier than a decade. Some factors that induce an early thermostat failure include harsh weather, rough driving, bad engine or thermostat parts.

What happens when a car thermostat goes bad? ›

Poor Fuel Efficiency: A faulty thermostat can lead to inefficient fuel usage. When the thermostat fails to open properly, the engine remains in a “cold” state for too long, causing it to run rich. This can result in decreased fuel economy, which is bad for your wallet and the environment.

If you drive without a thermostat, your engine will never reach its optimal operating temperature and your heater may blow cold air. If you live in a warm climate, this should not be a problem.

While there is a small chance that there is an issue with the running temperature of your engine, by far the most common issue with trouble code P0128 is a faulty thermostat. The exact location of the thermostat and issues related to a damaged thermostat may vary depending on your vehicle.

Generally, repairing a thermostat costs around $200 to $500. This is the price range you'll find for most vehicles, although some may be higher or lower depending on the circ*mstances. But if we're talking complete replacement, expect the price to increase by $50.

Your location can also be a key factor in determining the price of a car thermostat replacement. For example, average hourly labour rates and demand in cities like London is around £50-£100 while in towns with lower demand, the labour rates can range from £35-£50.

If you make changes at the thermostat and get no response whatsoever from your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump, it could mean the thermostat is bad. Thermostat doesn't respond to changed settings: When you make temperature settings at your thermostat, it should almost immediately respond to those changes.

Major repairs and extensive engine work will be more expensive due to the nature of the damage. Water pump replacement, changing the heater core, car radiator replacements, and head gasket replacements can range from $500–$1,500.

The source of the issue could include a cooling system leak, bad radiator fan, faulty water pump, low engine oil level, or thermostat failure. Regardless of the problem's source, an overheating engine isn't something you want to let linger. Your engine could sustain serious, if not permanent, damage.