Head Gasket Replacement Cost (2026)

Replacing a head gasket costs about $820–$1,920 at an independent shop in 2026 on a 4-cylinder or Subaru boxer engine. Nearly all of it is labor: Honda’s own warranty time is 11.1–11.5 hours for its 1.5L turbo four and Subaru’s is 6.6 hours to remove both heads, while a gasket set costs about $118–$355. On a V6, Chrysler pays 8.2–10.2 hours just to take one head off its 3.6L, about $820–$1,530 in labor alone. Check for a warranty extension first: Honda now covers head gaskets on many 2016–26 1.5L turbo models for 10 years or 150,000 miles.

Sources: chain price pages, retailer and manufacturer list prices, official documents (below) · Prices checked 2026-11-09 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology

Head Gasket Replacement cost by service type

ServiceParts / fluidLaborTypical shop total
Inline 4-cylinder car$138–$194Head gasket set + 2 gal coolant11.1–11.5 hrHonda 1.5L turbo warranty times$1,250–$1,920[1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7],[8]Fel-Pro head sets (Camry/Corolla to Civic) + 11.1–11.5 hr × $100–$150/hr
Subaru 2.5L boxer, both heads$159–$190Head bolts extra (required)6.6 hrSubaru: both cylinder heads R&R$820–$1,180[3],[4],[7],[8],[9],[10]Fel-Pro HS 26531 PT-1 + 6.6 hr × $100–$150/hr
V6, one cylinder head off (Chrysler 3.6L)—Gasket set and coolant extra8.2–10.2 hrLeft head R&R incl. new gasket, 2011–13$820–$1,530[7],[8],[11]Labor only: 8.2–10.2 hr × $100–$150/hr
Ford F-150 V8 gasket set$179–$355—Labor not published — get a quote[12],[13]Gasket set list prices; no published Ford labor time found
Dealer, Honda Accord 1.5L turbo (not covered)$98–$11412251-6A0-A01 MSRP + coolant11.5 hr$1,535–$2,125[14],[15],[16],[17]Genuine gasket + 11.5 hr × dealer rate $125–$175/hr

Labor times are manufacturers’ warranty times for gasket-only jobs. If the head or block is warped past the limit, the head must be machined or replaced and the bill goes up; Honda’s times rise to 12.0 hours with a new cylinder head and 14.7–14.8 with a short block. Before tax, shop-supply and disposal fees. Where we derive a total, labor is hours × $$100–$150 per hour[7],[8]. See the methodology.

DIY vs. shop vs. dealer

WhereCostWhat you get
DIY$140–$195Gasket set + coolantOnly for experienced home mechanics: the job takes the top of the engine apart, often needs new head bolts (Subaru requires them) and a straightedge check of the head and block.[1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[9]
Chain / independent shop$820–$1,9204-cyl / boxerGasket set plus manufacturer labor hours at $100–$150/hr. Machining, head bolts, thermostat and an oil change are usually extra. We found no chain that posts a head gasket price.[5],[7],[8],[10]
Dealer$1,535–$2,125Honda 1.5T, derived; $0 if coveredIf your car is covered by a head gasket warranty extension, the dealer does it free. Otherwise dealer labor rates apply to the same 11–12 hours.[5],[6],[15],[16],[17],[18]

Before paying for a head gasket, make sure that is the problem. Dealers pressure-test the cooling system and check for combustion leaks first: Kia’s procedure is a 12–16 psi pressure test followed by an engine block (combustion leak) test, and Honda’s adds a borescope look into each cylinder.[5],[19]

Is your head gasket covered by a warranty extension?

Check before you pay. Manufacturers have extended coverage for head gasket failures on several engines:

  • Honda: 2018–22 Accord 1.5L turbo (CVT), 2018–20 Accord (manual), 2023–26 Accord Hybrid and 2025–26 Acura ADX are covered for 10 years from purchase or 150,000 miles; Honda says the extension applies even to salvage or branded-title vehicles.[5],[6],[15]
  • Honda: 2016–17 Civic 1.5L turbo is covered until May 31, 2027 or 150,000 miles.[18]
  • Kia: 3.3L V6 Sorento, Cadenza and Sedona engines that fail its block test get an extended warranty of 15 years / 180,000 miles, up from 5 years / 60,000.[19]

What drives the cost

  • Engine layout: a 4-cylinder has one head; V6, V8 and boxer engines have two. Chrysler’s time for one head on its 3.6L V6 ranges from 8.2 hours (Charger, 300) to 10.2 (Journey), plus 0.8–1.6 for AWD.[11]
  • Warped head or block: Honda checks both with a straightedge and replaces a warped head or short block, which raises its labor time to 12.0–14.8 hours.[5]
  • Gasket type: on Subaru 2.5L engines, Fel-Pro warns that a composite replacement gasket “will very likely lead to repeat sealing failure”; multi-layer steel sets are the fix.[9],[20]
  • Head bolts: Subaru’s gasket set lists head-bolt replacement as required, which adds to parts.[9]

When you actually need it

Honda says a failing head gasket on its 1.5L turbo can cause overheating, coolant loss, misfires and codes P0300 through P0304. Kia lists coolant leaks, a coolant smell and the temperature gauge near “H.”[5],[19]

Fix coolant leaks early: NHTSA’s recall record for Ford’s 1.6L engine says driving with too little coolant can overheat and crack the cylinder head.[21]

If the engine is overheating, stop and see the coolant temperature warning light.

Related: P0300 random misfire, P0217 engine over temperature.

More repair costs

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Frequently asked questions

How much does a head gasket replacement cost?

About $820–$1,920 at an independent shop for a 4-cylinder or Subaru boxer engine, based on manufacturers’ labor times and gasket-set list prices. On a V6, labor alone for one head is about $820–$1,530. Machining or a new head adds more.

How long does it take to replace a head gasket?

Manufacturer warranty times: 11.1–11.5 hours for Honda’s 1.5L turbo four, 6.6 hours to remove both heads on a Subaru 2.5L, and 8.2–10.2 hours to replace one cylinder head on Chrysler’s 3.6L V6.

Is a head gasket covered under warranty?

Sometimes. Honda covers head gaskets on many 2016–26 1.5L turbo models (Accord, Civic, Accord Hybrid, ADX) under extended warranties, and Kia extended coverage on some 3.3L V6 engines to 15 years / 180,000 miles. Check with a dealer using your VIN.

Is it worth fixing a blown head gasket?

It depends on the car’s value and whether the head or block is warped. If repair costs more than the car is worth, or if the engine also needs a head or short block, compare against a replacement engine or selling the car as is.

How do I know it’s really the head gasket?

Ask for a cooling-system pressure test and a combustion leak (block) test. These are the checks dealers run before manufacturers approve a head gasket repair.

Sources

  1. PartsHawk, Fel-Pro HS 26323 PT head gasket set, 2002–11 Toyota Camry / 2009–12 Corolla / RAV4, accessed 2026-11-11.
  2. PartsHawk, Fel-Pro HS 26404 PT head gasket set, 2006–11 Honda Civic, accessed 2026-11-11.
  3. Walmart, Prestone Universal Antifreeze + Coolant, 50/50 Prediluted, 1 gal (listing), accessed 2026-11-09.
  4. Walmart, Prestone Platinum Antifreeze + Coolant, 50/50 Prediluted, 1 gal (listing), accessed 2026-11-09.
  5. American Honda (Service Bulletin 26-004, via NHTSA), 2018–20 Accord 1.5L turbo (M/T) head gasket warranty extension: symptoms, borescope check, labor times (2026-08-26), accessed 2026-11-11.
  6. American Honda (Service Bulletin 26-001, via NHTSA), 2025–26 Acura ADX head gasket warranty extension — labor times (2026-08-26), accessed 2026-11-11.
  7. Ratchet+Wrench, 2026 Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey (posted labor rate distribution, p. 13) (2026-06-29), accessed 2026-11-09.
  8. Ratchet+Wrench, Industry Insights: U.S. Auto Repair Shops and Labor Rate Trends (PartsTech 2025 shop survey) (2026-08-19), accessed 2026-11-09.
  9. PartsHawk, Fel-Pro HS 26531 PT-1 head gasket set, 2007–14 Subaru Legacy / Outback / Forester / Impreza (head bolts required), accessed 2026-11-11.
  10. Subaru of America (Service Bulletin 02-115-11R, via NHTSA), 2010–11 2.5L naturally aspirated: one or both cylinder heads R&R — labor times (2013-02-07), accessed 2026-11-11.
  11. Chrysler Group (Service Bulletin 09-002-14 Rev. A, via NHTSA), 2011–13 3.6L V6 (Journey, Wrangler, 200/Avenger, Challenger, Charger, 300, Grand Caravan/Town & Country, Durango, Grand Cherokee): left cylinder head and head gasket replacement — labor times (2014-10-03), accessed 2026-11-11.
  12. PartsHawk, ITM 09-12741 head gasket set, 2011–14 Ford F-150 / Mustang 5.0L V8, accessed 2026-11-11.
  13. PartsHawk, Fel-Pro HS 26665 PT head gasket set, 2010–12 Ford F-150 / 2011–12 Super Duty, accessed 2026-11-11.
  14. Honda Parts Now (Honda dealer parts), Genuine Honda cylinder head gasket 12251-6A0-A01, 2018–25 Accord 1.5L turbo (MSRP), accessed 2026-11-11.
  15. American Honda (Service Bulletin 26-003, via NHTSA), 2018–22 Accord 1.5L turbo (CVT) head gasket warranty extension: symptoms, combustion-leak check, labor times (2026-09-25), accessed 2026-11-11.
  16. Dealership Guy, Reynolds and Reynolds: repair orders, rates increase for shops (Fixed Operation Golden Metrics 2026) (2026-08-17), accessed 2026-11-09.
  17. Reynolds and Reynolds, The Fixed Operations Golden Metrics 2025 (dealer effective labor rate) (2025-08), accessed 2026-11-09.
  18. American Honda (Service Bulletin 26-099, via NHTSA), 2016–17 Civic 1.5L turbo head gasket warranty extension — labor times (2026-08-26), accessed 2026-11-11.
  19. Kia America (TSB ENG254 / WTY039, via NHTSA), 3.3L V6 Sorento / Cadenza / Sedona: coolant pressure test, engine block (combustion leak) test, warranty extension to 15 years / 180,000 miles (2024-06), accessed 2026-11-11.
  20. Auto Service World (trade publication), MLS head gaskets solve sealing issues in many 2.5L Subaru engines (Fel-Pro) (2012-05-10), accessed 2026-11-11.
  21. NHTSA (Recall 17V-209, Ford 1.6L GTDI), Driving with insufficient coolant can overheat and crack the cylinder head (2017-03-27), accessed 2026-11-11.