If the throttle position sensor (on models where it’s separate) is the culprit, expect $100 to $300 for installation. Luxury or performance vehicles can land from $700 to $1,400 for a complete electronic throttle body.
Download the Jerry app to get accurate quotes from shops near you in minutes, for your exact car — no phone calls needed.
Real customers Jerry helped
While prices might vary based on location, car and parts use, Jerry helps take the guesswork out of pricing. Here are real customer experiences, showing what drivers are paying right now.
Estimates are modeled based on real vehicle and location data; names have been changed. Actual prices will vary by shop, parts, and vehicle condition.
What is a throttle body?
The throttle body is the airflow gatekeeper for the engine. It’s a hinged butterfly valve on older cable-throttle cars or an electronically controlled flap on modern drive-by-wire setups mounted in the intake. Press the accelerator and the throttle opens to let in more air; the engine computer adds the right amount of fuel to match.
Symptoms of a failing throttle body
Jerry customers might notice the following symptoms if the throttle body sticks, builds carbon, or the sensor or motor fails:
- Rough idle
- Surging or stalling
- Limp-home mode
- Check Engine Light
Cost breakdown: why the price varies
For Jerry customers, the following factors are the price swings:
Vehicle make and model:
The same job on a mainstream sedan might use a $250 to $400 throttle body, while certain luxury or turbocharged models use assemblies that cost two to three times as much. That alone can add $300 to $700 to the total.
Drive-by-wire complexity:
When the electronics fail on modern electronic throttle bodies, shops replace the whole unit — no cheap, separate sensor. That can turn into a $400 to $900 repair. Cars that still allow a separate throttle position sensor keep the bill at $100 to $300 instead.
Access and labor time:
Extra disassembly on certain cars can add from 0.5 to 1.0 hour of labor — roughly $75 to $200 depending on local rates.
Relearn/programming:
After replacement or even a battery disconnect, many vehicles need an idle relearn or throttle adaptation – adding $0 to $120 depending on shop policy and equipment. Ask whether an idle relearn procedure is required.
The root cause:
Sometimes a “bad throttle body” is really a dirty throttle plate, a vacuum leak, a crankcase/PCV issue, or a misreporting mass airflow sensor. A cleaning might save $300 to $900. For a split intake boot or bad gasket, you’ll still spend far less than a full assembly.
Region and shop rate:
Coastal metros often bill $140 to $220 per hour; smaller markets may be $95 to $150 per hour. On a one to two hour job, location alone can swing the bill by $100 to $200.
Your action plan: how to save money
Insist on a proper diagnosis.
Ask the shop to verify throttle body operation and check for intake leaks, PCV issues, and a dirty mass airflow sensor. A $15 gasket or a $10 hose beats a $600 part any day.
Try cleaning before replacing (when appropriate).
If the motor and sensors test well but idle is unstable, a professional throttle body service can restore smooth airflow. This is often $75 to $200 and may resolve the issue after relearn.
Price the part wisely.
On many cars, reputable aftermarket throttle bodies perform as well as OEM (original equipment manufacturer) for less. For picky systems — some European and turbo models — OEM helps avoid drivability issues. Ask for both quotes and weigh the warranty (12/12 vs 24/24 or better).
Combine work and save on labor.
If the intake has to come off, consider spark plugs, the intake boot, or a PCV valve at the same time. Overlap the labor for savings.
Ask about the relearn.
Confirm whether your car needs a scan-tool adaptation. If it’s a simple idle relearn, you might complete the drive cycle yourself and avoid the extra fee.
Use the Jerry app to get accurate diagnoses, compare costs and find the right price for the repair at a local, trusted shop.
DIY vs pro: Can you do this yourself?
If you’re comfortable with basic hand tools and follow a service guide, cleaning or even replacing a throttle body on many vehicles is a solid DIY. Electronics, tight packaging, and the relearn step mean it’s not for everyone. The repair process should always use a new gasket, cover open intake ports to keep debris out, and avoid forcing an electronic throttle blade. Jerry offers pricing clarity on parts and labor to help you make the right decision.
At-a-glance comparison:
Quick rule of thumb:
If the car is in limp mode or shows multiple drive-by-wire codes, skip DIY and go straight to a pro with the right scan tool. If it’s a rough idle with no electronic faults, a careful cleaning is due.
Related repairs
Jerry customers are bundling the following repairs for greater cost savings:
- Throttle body cleaning/service: $75 to $200. Best first step for carbon buildup or sticky idle.
- Throttle position sensor (if separate): $82 to $142 installed. This helps when the reading is erratic but the motor and housing are fine.
- Intake/throttle body gasket: $80 to $180 installed. The part is cheap; labor is the driver. This fixes vacuum leaks that mimic throttle issues.
- MAF sensor cleaning/replacement: $15 to $30 for cleaner; $150 to $400 to replace. A misreporting MAF causes roughness and poor throttle response.
- PCV valve or hose/boot: $80 to $250 installed. Crankcase ventilation issues create false air and idle problems.
- Idle air control valve (older cars): $150 to $350 installed. Newer cars use the electronic throttle to meter idle instead.
Price out and compare any suspected repairs with the Jerry app.
What our customers are asking
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Is it safe to drive with a bad throttle body?
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How long does replacement take?
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Do I need programming or an idle relearn?
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Can cleaning really fix it?
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Should I replace the gasket?
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What trouble codes point to throttle issues?
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Could this be covered by a warranty or recall?
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What’s the best way to avoid future problems?
Steve Kaleff began working on cars at the very young age of nine years old, when his dad actually let him make fixes on the family car. Fast forward to the beginning of a professional career working at independent repair shops and then transitioning to new car dealerships. His experience was with Mercedes-Benz, where Steve was a technician for ten years, four of those years solving problems that no one could or wanted to fix. He moved up to shop foreman and then service manager for 15 years. There have been tremendous changes in automotive technology since Steve started his professional career, so here’s looking forward to an electric future!
Nick Wilson is an editor, writer, and instructor across various subjects. His past experience includes writing and editorial projects in technical, popular, and academic settings, and he has taught humanities courses to countless students in the college classroom. In his free time, he pursues academic research, works on his own writing projects, and enjoys the ordered chaos of life with his wife and kids.
