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How much does an engine replacement cost?

An engine replacement costs $3,000 to $7,500 in 2026. What changes your price is below.

CoverageX's April 2026 guide puts most engine replacements at $3,000 to $7,000 or more. A used engine runs $1,500 to $3,500, remanufactured $3,000 to $5,500, and new $4,000 to $7,500 or more. ConsumerAffairs puts the full range at $2,000 to $10,000, with 10 to 25 hours of labor.

An engine replacement costs $3,000 to $7,500 in 2026

Estimate your engine replacement cost

Pick what you need and add your ZIP. The price updates as you go. Got a price already? Check it in the last step.

1Which one do you need?
2Engine
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Local prices not added yet.
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Is this price fair?

A fair price is $3,000 to $5,500.

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Low$4,250High
Your estimateUS average
$3,000to$5,500

Middle of the range: $4,250

$0$3,720$7,440
Normal range Middle

What you are paying for

Remanufactured engineUS range for this job.$3,000 to $5,500
Four cylinderEngine.Base price
US averageLocal prices not added yet.US price
Middle of rangeHalfway between low and high.$4,250
How we calculate this

    Prices are for the United States in 2026 from published cost guides, checked September 2026. This is an estimate, not a quote.

    Middle $4,250$3,000 to $5,500

    Real prices by vehicle and option

    Used or salvage engine$1,500 to $3,500, often 30 to 90 day warranty.
    Remanufactured$3,000 to $5,500, 1 to 3 year warranty.
    New or factory$4,000 to $7,500 or more, 3 to 5 year warranty.
    Short block$2,000 to $4,000.
    Long block$3,500 to $6,000.
    Labor10 to 25 hours at $70 to $150 an hour.

    What pushes a quote up

    Engine sourceUsed, remanufactured or new.
    Engine sizeV8s, turbos and hybrids cost more.
    Labor hoursSwaps take 10 to 25 hours.
    Extra partsGaskets, hoses, sensors and fluids.
    EmissionsThe replacement must match the original to pass.

    Engine replacement cost by region

    Lower cost states$2,400 to $6,000. Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, West Virginia and most rural areas.
    Average cost states$3,000 to $7,500. Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and most mid size cities.
    Higher cost states$3,900 to $9,800. California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Washington, plus big metros such as Chicago, Denver and Washington DC.

    These rows are our estimate. We took the typical national range and adjusted it for local labor costs, which run about 20 percent lower in the cheapest states and about 30 percent higher in the dearest ones. Labor is a big share, and 10 to 25 hours at local rates moves the total a lot.

    Used, remanufactured or new, and is it worth it

    A used engine is cheapest but carries the most risk and the shortest warranty. A remanufactured engine is rebuilt to spec with new wear parts and usually carries a 1 to 3 year warranty. A new engine costs most and has the longest coverage. CoverageX suggests a long block, which includes the heads, suits most owners.

    AA1Car warns about emissions. The replacement must match the original so every sensor and emissions part fits, and some imported used engines lack U.S. emissions equipment or the right sensor hookups, which can cause a failed test.

    Is it worth it

    Compare the total with the car's value and with a replacement car. A $5,000 engine in a car worth $12,000 with a solid body and transmission is often a good deal. Also check your warranty, because most powertrain warranties cover engine failures.

    See our head gasket repair cost page if your engine may be repairable.

    Why this costs more in 2026

    Engines are heavy metal assemblies that ship by truck, and every labor hour costs more this year.

    Every truck trip costs more now. Diesel passed $6 a gallon in September 2026 (CBS 8 reporting AAA), and material costs rose 4.8 percent in a year (Roofing Contractor). Quotes may only hold for a few weeks.

    How to judge the quote in your hand

    Ways to pay less