Spark Plug Replacement Cost (2026)
Replacing spark plugs costs about $75–$135 on a 4-cylinder and $165–$390 on a V6 at an independent shop in 2026, with iridium plugs. That’s parts ($6–$15 a plug) plus labor at $100–$150/hr: manufacturer service bulletins allow 0.5 hour for four plugs on one 2.0L engine and 1.3–2.0 hours for six on the 3.6L Pentastar V6. DIY parts cost about $25–$90.
Sources: chain price pages, retailer and manufacturer list prices, official documents (below) · Prices checked 2026-11-09 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
Spark Plug Replacement cost by service type
| Service | Parts / fluid | Labor | Typical shop total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cylinder, 4 iridium plugs | $25–$59 | 0.5 hr | $75–$135[1],[2],[3],[4]Plugs + 0.5 hr (Stellantis TSB time, 2.0L I4) × $100–$150/hr |
| V6, 6 iridium plugs | $37–$88 | 1.3–2 hr | $165–$390[1],[3],[4],[5]Plugs + 1.3–2.0 hr (FCA TSB time, 3.6L V6) × $100–$150/hr |
| Dealer tune-up example (4 plugs + fuel induction service) | — | —Included | $370[6]Posted Subaru dealer tune-up special, $369.95 |
Labor times are manufacturers’ warranty allowances for specific engines; independent “book time” is often somewhat higher, and engines that need the intake removed take longer. Before tax, shop-supply and disposal fees. Where we derive a total, labor is hours × $$100–$150 per hour[3],[4]. See the methodology.
DIY vs. shop vs. dealer
| Where | Cost | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| DIY | $25–$904–6 iridium plugs | Copper plugs cost under $2, platinum about $3.50–$4, standard iridium about $6–$7.50 and premium or OEM long-life iridium about $14–$15 each online. Buy the type your manual specifies.[1] |
| Chain / independent shop | $75–$390 | Parts plus labor hours at $100–$150/hr. Ask for the book hours for your engine on the estimate.[3],[4] |
| Dealer | $370One posted example | Dealer tune-up specials bundle plugs with other services; one Subaru dealer posts $369.95 for four plugs plus a fuel induction service. Dealer labor runs $125–$175 an hour effective.[6],[7],[8] |
On many 4-cylinders it’s a 30-minute job with a plug socket and a torque wrench; aluminum heads strip if plugs are over-tightened, so torque to spec. Ignition coils come off first on most engines; a replacement coil costs about $18–$67 if one is bad.[2],[9]
What drives the cost
- Engine layout. Six plugs on a V6 took 1.3–2.0 hours in FCA’s bulletin versus 0.5 hour for four on a 2.0L four-cylinder.[2],[5]
- Plug type: premium long-life iridium costs about twice a standard iridium plug.[1]
- Coils: a failed coil adds about $18–$67 each in parts.[9]
- Shop labor rate, which ranges from under $100 to over $150 an hour at independents.[3]
When you actually need it
Plug intervals vary widely by engine and plug type, so the owner’s manual is the only reliable number; for example, Toyota’s maintenance schedule for a Mexico-market Yaris lists platinum or iridium plugs every 60,000 miles. Misfire codes (P0300–P0304) and rough running are reasons to check plugs sooner.[2],[10]
If your check-engine light shows a misfire, see the P0300 random misfire code.
More repair costs
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to replace spark plugs?
About $75–$135 on a 4-cylinder and $165–$390 on a V6 at an independent shop, with iridium plugs ($6–$15 each) and labor at $100–$150/hr. DIY parts cost about $25–$90.
How long does it take to replace spark plugs?
Manufacturer warranty times we found: 0.5 hour for four plugs on a 2.0L four-cylinder and 1.3–2.0 hours for six plugs on the 3.6L Pentastar V6, depending on the vehicle. Shops bill book time, which can be higher.
How often should spark plugs be changed?
Check your owner’s manual: intervals depend on the engine and plug type. Toyota’s schedule for a Mexico-market Yaris lists iridium or platinum plugs every 60,000 miles.
Should I replace ignition coils with spark plugs?
Only if a coil is faulty. Coils come off to reach the plugs on most engines, so a bad one is cheaper to replace at the same time ($18–$67 each in parts).
Sources
- RockAuto, Spark plug catalog (Champion copper, NGK/Denso platinum, iridium and laser iridium), accessed 2026-11-09.
- Stellantis (TSB 18-079-23, via NHTSA), Engine Misfire: replace spark plugs, 2023 Dodge Hornet 2.0L I4 — labor time 0.5 hr (2023-06-29), accessed 2026-11-09.
- Ratchet+Wrench, 2026 Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey (posted labor rate distribution, p. 13) (2026-06-29), accessed 2026-11-09.
- Ratchet+Wrench, Industry Insights: U.S. Auto Repair Shops and Labor Rate Trends (PartsTech 2025 shop survey) (2026-08-19), accessed 2026-11-09.
- FCA US (TSB 09-013-20 Rev. A, via NHTSA), 3.6L Pentastar spark plug replacement — labor time 1.3–2.0 hr for six plugs (2020-12-12), accessed 2026-11-09.
- Boardman Subaru (dealer), Service promotions: tune-up (4 spark plugs + fuel induction service), accessed 2026-11-09.
- Dealership Guy, Reynolds and Reynolds: repair orders, rates increase for shops (Fixed Operation Golden Metrics 2026) (2026-08-17), accessed 2026-11-09.
- Reynolds and Reynolds, The Fixed Operations Golden Metrics 2025 (dealer effective labor rate) (2025-08), accessed 2026-11-09.
- RockAuto, Ignition coil listings (Denso 673-1309 and aftermarket), accessed 2026-11-09.
- Toyota (maintenance schedule, Mexico-market Yaris), Maintenance Schedule: Super Long Life Coolant, spark plugs, timing belt, drive belts, accessed 2026-11-09.