It costs $350 to $2,000 to replace an alternator, on average. The cost depends on the type of vehicle you drive, where you live and the part you choose. However, with the typical alternator lasting up to 10 years or 150,000 miles, this isn’t a repair you should encounter too often.
Factors that influence alternator replacement costs
There’s a pretty decent spread when it comes to the typical costs of replacing an alternator. Whether you’re closer to the $350 or $2,000 end of that average depends on a number of important factors.
Warranty coverage
An alternator replacement may be free or much cheaper if the service is covered by any manufacturer, powertrain or extended warranty that is still in effect. Depending on your warranty details, you may still need to cover a deductible or labor and other charges.
If you’ve previously replaced your alternator, it may also be covered under an additional warranty if you have problems in the future. For example, AutoZone offers a free lifetime warranty on their Duralast alternators while specific brands may warranty their parts.
Labor rates
Labor rates can vary widely depending on your region, and urban areas tend to have higher mechanical costs than rural areas. The type of shop you choose can also impact pricing: Dealerships with specialized equipment and factory-certified mechanics may charge more than a mom-and-pop shop down the street.
Vehicle make and model
The type of alternator you need depends on what you drive. Some vehicles require larger, more expensive parts than others. In some cars, the alternator can be difficult to access, meaning it requires more work and man hours to install, which raises the price.
OEM or aftermarket parts
You’ll usually pay more to put an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) alternator in your vehicle than an aftermarket part. If you drive a luxury car, an OEM alternator may be your only option. Rebuilt and used alternators may be available for your car, especially if you plan to DIY the repair, but may not last as long or be as reliable.
What is alternator replacement?
Your vehicle’s alternator is an important component of its electrical system, providing continuous onboard power to the car while also recharging your battery as you drive. The alternator is involved with everything from starting your vehicle to powering the windows and radio, running the A/C and warming your seats.
The alternator is mechanically turned by your serpentine belt and the vehicle’s crankshaft, so a failing alternator may be caused by — or sometimes, cause further damage to — these parts as well as your starter, ignition or battery. For this reason, you should have each of these parts inspected whenever you suspect your alternator is going out.
If your alternator goes out, it’ll need to be replaced. Alternator replacement can be difficult on certain vehicles and requires a bit of mechanical know-how, though drivers with some experience under the hood may be able to DIY the repair. You can find belt diagrams and other information in your vehicle’s manufacturer guide.
Here are the general steps a mechanic will follow when they replace your alternator.
- Disconnect the vehicle’s battery.
- Loosen the belt tensioner from the alternator and pulleys.
- Disconnect the voltage regulator plug, located on the back of your alternator.
- Use a socket wrench to remove the positive cables from the alternator.
- Remove the alternator’s brace bolt and lower mounting bolts to remove the old alternator.
- Install your new alternator.
- Reconnect the voltage regulator, positive cable, serpentine belt and negative battery cable.
How often should you replace your alternator?
Alternators only need to be replaced when they go out or show signs of failing. When your alternator starts to fail, you might notice:
- Your lights are dimmer than usual or get brighter as you accelerate.
- It’s difficult to start your vehicle.
- There are strange smells or noises, especially when turning your key in the ignition.
- Certain accessories and features have slowed or begun to malfunction, like power windows or the air conditioner.
- Your battery seems weak or your car displays a battery warning light on the dash.
If your alternator goes out, you probably won’t be able to start your car at all.
The typical alternator lasts seven to 10 years, or somewhere between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. An alternator’s lifespan can be affected by weather conditions, your driving habits, other worn out systems in your vehicle or wear and tear over time. Your alternator might give out sooner than usual if you incorrectly use jumper cables or regularly strain it by leaving the vehicle’s lights or accessories on when the engine isn’t running.
If you suspect your alternator is failing, head to the mechanic or an auto parts store like Auto Zone, O’Reilly or Advance Auto Parts. There, they can test your alternator’s strength with a multimeter and check your battery, starter and serpentine belt to make sure there aren’t other issues causing your vehicle to malfunction.
The AAA (Auto Club) has a mobile service that will test your electrical system at your home or office. If you get lucky, and the problem is your battery rather than an alternator failure, they will sell you and install a new battery on the spot.
How to save on alternator replacement
It can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars to replace your alternator when it goes out, but there are a few ways you can trim a bit off your repair shop bill.
Buy aftermarket parts
You have several options when buying vehicle parts like alternators: OEM, aftermarket, rebuilt or used parts. Aftermarket parts are usually more affordable than OEM and rebuilt or used parts are even cheaper.
OEM parts come straight from the manufacturer or their supplier, and match what your car was built with according to your vehicle identification number (VIN). This means that they will fit perfectly and meet the intended specs of your vehicle. Aftermarket parts can be matched by part number and are very similar to — and in some cases, even better than — OEM parts, but they may not always be an exact match or last quite as long.
If you get your alternator replaced at a dealership, OEM parts may be your only option. At an independent shop, you may have the choice between an OEM, aftermarket, rebuilt or used alternator.
Get quotes from multiple shops
Don’t just accept the first quote you get for an alternator replacement. Once you know that’s what your vehicle needs, call around to a few different shops to see which offers the best pricing, repair timeline, parts and warranty.
Consider the warranty
Speaking of warranties: While you may pay the same up front for your alternator replacement, choosing a shop that offers an extended warranty on parts — and sometimes labor — will ensure that you don’t have to pay for another alternator anytime soon. If you get a faulty part, another system in your vehicle wears down the new alternator or you just get unlucky, a warranty allows you to complete the repair again at less or no cost.
FAQs
-
Can I drive with a bad alternator?
-
Does my vehicle warranty cover alternator replacement?
-
Can I replace an alternator myself?
Stephanie Colestock is a seasoned writer specializing in personal finance. With over 14 years of experience, she crafts insightful and accessible content on a wide range of financial topics, including insurance, credit and debt management, banking, investing, retirement planning, and household finances.
Her bylines appear in top-tier publications such as TIME, Fortune, MSN, Forbes, USA Today, Money, Fox Business, and CBS. Stephanie’s deep understanding of complex financial concepts and her ability to communicate them clearly have made her a trusted voice in the industry.
When she’s not writing, Stephanie enjoys helping individuals make smarter financial decisions through her engaging and well-researched articles.
Annie is a writer and editor at Jerry with more than a decade of experience writing and editing digital content. Before joining Jerry, she was an assistant assigning editor at NerdWallet. Her past work has appeared in the Associated Press, USA Today and The Washington Post. Her work has been cited by NorthWestern University and Harvard Kennedy School. Annie served as a spokesperson for NerdWallet during her time at NerdWallet and has been featured in New York Magazine, MarketWatch and on local television and radio stations.
Previously, she worked at USAA and newspapers in Minnesota, North Dakota, California and Texas. She has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Minnesota.
Phil grew up fixing lawn mowers, motorcycles and cars. He began his journalism career as a night police reporter in Chicago and Denver. Moving to Los Angeles, Phil ghost-wrote several how-to books about car buying. He then was hired by the consumer automotive site Edmunds.com where he worked as an “undercover” car salesman. This led to a series of articles called “Confessions of a Car Salesman.” Additionally, he wrote DIY articles about car maintenance and repair and took high-performance driving lessons on race tracks in Nevada and California. Later, he wrote a syndicated automotive column for Nerdwallet. He recently he authored the book Electric Cars: How to Get Rolling Today. For Jerry he will use his experience to help car owners make smart decisions about driving, repairing and maintaining their vehicles. Phil lives in Long Beach, Calif., and still enjoys turning wrenches and helping his son change the oil in his 2016 Mazda3.
