Starter Replacement Cost (2026)

Replacing a starter costs about $130–$365 at an independent shop in 2026: $69–$231 for an aftermarket starter (remanufactured or new, on a Camry, Accord or Silverado) plus 0.6–0.9 hours of labor at $100–$150/hr, from GM’s and Honda’s published times. Remanufactured starters carry a refundable core charge of $30–$136. A no-crank is often the battery, so get both tested first.

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

Starter Replacement cost by service type

ServiceParts / fluidLaborTypical shop total
Remanufactured starter$69–$176+ refundable core on most0.6–0.9 hr$130–$310[1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6],[7]Camry/Accord/Silverado reman + 0.6–0.9 hr (GM, Honda bulletins) × $100–$150/hr
New aftermarket starter$80–$2310.6–0.9 hr$140–$365[1],[2],[4],[5],[6],[7]TYC to Bosch new list prices + 0.6–0.9 hr × $100–$150/hr
Genuine GM starter, Silverado, dealer rate$163GM 127368130.6–0.9 hr$240–$320[3],[4],[8],[9]GM Genuine part + 0.6 (2WD) – 0.9 (4WD) hr × dealer rate $125–$175/hr

Published labor: GM’s bulletin for 2013 Silverado/Sierra 4.8L and 5.3L trucks lists 0.6 hour (2WD) and 0.9 (4WD); Honda’s for the 2013–16 Accord V6 lists 0.9. Starters buried under the intake take longer. Before tax, shop-supply and disposal fees. Where we derive a total, labor is hours × $$100–$150 per hour[6],[7]. See the methodology.

DIY vs. shop vs. dealer

WhereCostWhat you get
DIY$70–$230Aftermarket starters cost about $69–$231; return the old one to get the core charge back. Disconnect the battery before touching the starter cables.[1],[2],[3]
Chain / independent shop$130–$365Starter plus labor at $100–$150/hr. We found no chain that posts a starter replacement price.[6],[7]
Dealer$240–$320Silverado, GM part, derivedA genuine GM starter for the 2014 Silverado 5.3L sells for about $163; at dealer labor rates the job works out as shown.[3],[8],[9]

On some cars the starter is reached from underneath; support the car on jack stands, never just a jack.

What drives the cost

  • Reman vs. new: remanufactured units are cheapest but carry core charges ($30–$136 on the listings we checked).[1],[2],[3]
  • Brand: on a 2015 Camry, a new starter runs from $79.79 (TYC) to $230.79 (Bosch).[1]
  • Drivetrain and access: GM’s time is 0.6 hour on 2WD trucks and 0.9 on 4WD.[4]

When you actually need it

Common starter faults in manufacturers’ bulletins include a starter that grinds or spins without engaging (Honda) and an internal short circuit (GM).[4],[5]

A single click or no crank can also be a weak battery or a bad connection. Advance Auto Parts tests batteries, starters and alternators for free, on or off the vehicle.[10]

If the battery light is also on, see the battery warning light.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to replace a starter?

About $130–$365 at an independent shop: $69–$231 for an aftermarket starter plus 0.6–0.9 hour at $100–$150/hr.

How long does it take to replace a starter?

GM’s published time is 0.6 hour on 2WD Silverado/Sierra trucks and 0.9 on 4WD; Honda lists 0.9 hour on the Accord V6.

Is it the starter or the battery?

Dim lights and a slow crank point to the battery; a single click with bright lights, or grinding, points to the starter. Advance Auto Parts tests both for free.

What is a core charge on a starter?

A refundable deposit ($30–$136 on the listings we checked) added to a remanufactured starter; you get it back when you return the old unit.

Sources

  1. RockAuto, 2015 Toyota Camry 2.5L starter motors (catalog), accessed 2026-11-09.
  2. RockAuto, 2012 Honda Accord 2.4L starter motors (catalog), accessed 2026-11-09.
  3. RockAuto, 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 5.3L starter motors (catalog), accessed 2026-11-09.
  4. General Motors (Bulletin 12188, via NHTSA), 2013 Silverado/Sierra/Avalanche 4.8L/5.3L starter motor short circuit: inspect and replace starter — labor times (2012-08), accessed 2026-11-09.
  5. American Honda (Service Bulletin 16-002, via NHTSA), 2013–16 Accord V6: starter grinds or spins at startup — replace starter, labor time (2017-08-11), accessed 2026-11-09.
  6. Ratchet+Wrench, 2026 Ratchet+Wrench Industry Survey (posted labor rate distribution, p. 13) (2026-06-29), accessed 2026-11-09.
  7. Ratchet+Wrench, Industry Insights: U.S. Auto Repair Shops and Labor Rate Trends (PartsTech 2025 shop survey) (2026-08-19), accessed 2026-11-09.
  8. Dealership Guy, Reynolds and Reynolds: repair orders, rates increase for shops (Fixed Operation Golden Metrics 2026) (2026-08-17), accessed 2026-11-09.
  9. Reynolds and Reynolds, The Fixed Operations Golden Metrics 2025 (dealer effective labor rate) (2025-08), accessed 2026-11-09.
  10. Advance Auto Parts (Athens, GA store page), Free battery, starter and alternator testing, accessed 2026-11-09.