How Much Does a Starter Cost?
The job of your vehicle’s starter is self-explanatory; it gets the crankshaft turning, so the fuel injectors and ignition system can get the engine fully started. Unless you have a manual transmission and you can push-start your vehicle, starter failure either means a tow truck or fixing it right where it sits. Jump-starting it with battery cables won’t help anything, making this one of the more inconvenient things to go wrong. In the table below we’ve included the msrp (list price) of 5 of our best selling starters as well as our price for that same part.
| Vehicle | Dealership Repair Cost | DIY With BAP | |||||
| Year, Make & Model | List Price | Labor Cost ($130/HR) | Total Cost | Our Price | Savings | ||
| Vehicle | List Price | Our Price | Labor Time (hrs) | Independent Shops Estimate National Avg Labor Cost ($100/HR) | Dealerships Estimate National Avg Labor Cost ($130/HR) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata | $418.95 | $155.00 | 0.9 | $117.00 (0.9hrs) | $535.95 | $155.00 | $380.95 |
| 2007 Lexus LS460 | $418.95 | $255.00 | 6.1 | $793.00 (6.1hrs) | $1211.95 | $255.00 | $956.95 |
| 2008 Volkswagen Passat | $198.45 | $104.82 | 1.2 | $156.00 (1.2hrs) | $354.45 | $104.82 | $249.63 |
| 1992 Ford Taurus | $338.10 | $124.00 | 0.7 | $91.00 (0.7hrs) | $429.10 | $124.00 | $305.10 |
| 2007 BMW 328i | $463.05 | $139.00 | 2.9 | $337.00 (2.9hrs) | $800.05 | $139.00 | $661.05 |
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There aren’t many warning signs that your starter could be going bad. If your vehicle isn’t starting, but you’ve verified that the engine is getting fuel and the spark plugs are firing, you can try hitting the starter with something to see if it might just be stuck. Always be careful reaching into the engine bay when trying to start the vehicle though. If your vehicle has a manual transmission, dust produced when the clutch disc wears down can get into the starter motor, causing noise before finally gumming it up. Most likely though, it’s something you won’t notice until you can’t make it in to work one morning.
Starter Options and Part Costs
The good news is that starters aren’t terribly expensive; quality aftermarket units start under $100, while OEM replacements can be double that. You can also get a remanufactured starter, which is a good bet for some less-common vehicles where new ones might still be a little expensive. Keep in mind that remanufactured parts often require a core deposit charged in addition to the price of the item, although it’s fully refundable if you can send back the original item you are replacing.
Why do labor times vary so much?
Labor cost depends on your vehicle, and the access available to reach the starter. It’s usually located near the back of the engine, by where it connects to the transmission, so not a very easy spot to reach from under the hood.
Find Your Starter
Having to replace your starter is never enjoyable, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. If you’re still unsure about what’s best for your vehicle, feel free to contact BuyAutoParts for knowledgeable assistance in getting the best quality new and remanufactured starters for your vehicle. We carry guaranteed exact fit parts from known brands like Bosch, Denso, Delphi and more. All our parts professionals are here and ready to help!
More Vehicle Specific Estimates & Costs
Some of our top-selling starters, their compatible vehicles and their approximate costs are listed below. Keep in mind that part condition matters, in some cases we offer an aftermarket new part which meets or exceeds OE quality. The last note to be made about this table is that dealerships tend to sell their starters at list price or close to it, here at BuyAutoParts.com we offer you more than just the original equipment part, as we have aftermarket new, and in some cases have rebuilt starters.
| Compatible Vehicle | Type of Radiator | Price as of 05/2017 | Link | OEM Numbers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006-2014 Hyundai Sonata 2.4L Engine - With Delco Unit 2006-2014 Kia Optima 2.4L Engine - Models with Automatic Transmission From 12/01/05 2007-2009 Kia Rondo 2.4L Engine | BAP New | $155.00 | Replacement Starter (Part Number: 30-00777 AN) | 36100-25020, 3610025020 |
| BAP Remanufactured | $115.65 | Replacement Starter (Part Number: 30-00777 AR) | ||
| 2007-2012 Lexus LS460 4.6L Engine 2008-2011 Lexus GS460 4.6L Engine 2008-2009 Lexus IS F 5.0L Engine | Unit Rebuilt by an Original Equipment Manufacturer | $225.00 | Replacement Starter (Part Number: 30-00789 OR) | 28100-38020, 28100-38021, 2810038020, 2810038021, 30-00789OR, 30-00789AR, 280-0370 |
| BAP Remanufactured | $185.65 | Replacement Starter (Part Number: 30-00789 AR) | ||
| 2006-2009 Volkswagen Passat 2.0L Engine 2006-2009 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0L Gas Engine - Models with Manual Transmission 2006-2009 Volkswagen GTI 2.0L Engine - Models with Manual Transmission 2007-2009 Volkswagen Eos 2.0L Engine - Models with Manual Transmission 2006-2009 Audi A3 2.0L Engine - Models with Manual Transmission 2009 Audi TT 2.0L Engine - Models with Manual Transmission | OEM New | $104.82 | Replacement Starter (Part Number: 30-00162 ON) | 02M-911-023G, 02M-911-023M, 02M911023G, 02M911023M, 30-00162AR, 30-00162OR, 30-00162AN, 30-00162ON, 281-6001, 438174, SR0832X |
| BAP New | $135.00 | Replacement Starter (Part Number: 30-00162 AN) | ||
| Unit Rebuilt by an Original Equipment Manufacturer | $155.00 | Replacement Starter (Part Number: 30-00162 OR) | ||
| BAP Remanufactured | $125.65 | Replacement Starter (Part Number: 30-00162 AR) | ||
| 1992-1995 Ford Taurus 3.0L Engine - SHO Models and 3.2L Engine Models | BAP New | $124.00 | Replacement Starter (Part Number: 30-00415 AN) | F2DZ-11002-B, F2DZ11002B, F3DU-11000-BA, F3DU11000BA, F3DZ 1002ARM, F3DZ-11002-ARM, F3DZ-11002-B, F3DZ11002B, 30-00415AN, 30-00415OR, 30-00415AR, SR7564X |
| Unit Rebuilt by an Original Equipment Manufacturer | $140.00 | Replacement Starter (Part Number: 30-00415 OR) | ||
| BAP Remanufactured | $103.65 | Replacement Starter (Part Number: 30-00415 AR) | ||
| 2007-2011 BMW 328i 3.0L Engine - With Bosch Unit 2008-2009 BMW 128i and 135i 3.0L Engine - With Bosch Unit 2007-2009 BMW 323i and 328i - With Bosch Starter 2006 BMW 325i and 325xi 3.0L Engine - With Bosch Unit 2007-2008 BMW 328xi and 335xi 2006 BMW 330Ci, 330i and 330xi 3.0L Engine - With Bosch Unit 2007-2011 BMW 335i All Models 2009-2011 BMW 335i xDrive All Models 2006-2007 BMW 525i and 525xi 3.0L Engine 2008-2009 BMW 528i and 535i 3.0L Engine 2007-2009 BMW X3 and X5 3.0L Engine - With Bosch Unit 2008-2009 BMW X6 3.0L Engine 2006-2009 BMW Z4 3.0L Engine | BAP New | $139.00 | Replacement Starter (Part Number: 30-00180 AN) | 12 41 2 344 243, 12-41-7-521-116, 12-41-7-521-123, 12-41-7-526-236, 12412344243, 12412354701, 12417521116, 12417521123, 12417526236, 30-00180AN, 30-00180AR, 30-00180OR, SR0492X |
| Unit Rebuilt by an Original Equipment Manufacturer | $193.00 | Replacement Starter (Part Number: 30-00180 OR) | ||
| BAP Remanufactured | $118.65 | Replacement Starter (Part Number: 30-00180 AR) |
If you are a DIYer, you will not incur any labor costs. If you choose a professional for the job, you will need to pay for both the part and labor. Here are the approximate starter installation costs specific to some automobiles.
| Vehicle | Approximate Replacement Costs |
|---|---|
| 2011 Hyundai Sonata | $90.00 - $117.00 |
| 2007 Lexus LS460 | $610.00 - $793.00 |
| 2008 Volkswagen Passat | $120.00 - $156.00 |
