You have all felt it at some time or another, the sinking and uneasy feeling in the pit of the stomach when you are aware that something isn’t quite right with your vehicle. And worse yet, you will need to pay someone in order to repair it.
At Endurance, we understand what it takes to keep a car up and running for a long time. If you own a car with more than a few years and miles on the odometer chances are that the factory warranty has expired (or will soon). Beyond that pesky feeling in the backs of your head that someday, something will go catastrophically wrong, you also have to deal with paying for the high cost of repairs directly out of pocket.
For more than 10 years, Endurance has been a leading provider of vehicles service contracts, commonly referred to as extended auto warranties. This is the kind of coverage meant to protect vehicle owners from even the most expensive repairs from break down.
Few things can blow your budget faster compared to a car repair.
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It is not just a matter of getting one or more items replaced or fixed regardless of the make and model of your vehicle is quite expensive. In fact, this could set you back a couple hundred dollars, if not more, financially. In addition, keep in mind that some vehicle repairs are pricier than others.
It is worth mentioning that no car or vehicle is immune from a costly fix – from the most durable and reliable makes to the most exotic, unique, old and new. Regardless, it is always good to know a ballpark amount.
In this article we researched the most expensive auto repairs:
- Clutch Assembly Replacement
- Engine Control Module
- Alternator Replacement
- Fuel Injector Replacement
- Head Gasket Replacement
- Timing Belt Replacement
- Radiator Replacement
- Starter Replacement
- Water Pump Replacement
To make things easier for you, we will also rank them from most expensive to least expensive.
1. Clutch Assembly Replacement
Mechanical vehicle clutches can be any of different devices. These clutches engage and disengage two moving components of a shaft, or of a driving mechanism and a shaft. As you can expect, clutches wear out gradually and you often have plenty of warning signs before they require replacement.
Note that apart from adopting a smoother and gentler driving style (which is not likely to happen) and not excessively ‘riding’ the clutch there is not a lot you could do to prevent it. In addition, it is worth mentioning that there is no real bad news and good news here – this is because, in most cases, new clutch components could be quite pricey.
Moreover, although you may save a few bucks by doing all the work on your own, always remember that changing or replacing the clutch on your front-wheel drive vehicle could be a real pain without a lift.
The cost of replacement is in the range of $1,030 and $1,385.
2. Engine Control Module Replacement
This is another key part. The ECM tends to control the intersection of your car engine’s essential ingredients in order to make energy – air, fuel and spark. The ECM of your car accomplishes its substantial chore by continually monitoring an extensive network of precision sensors around your car in order to ensure conditions are well within standard operating range.
You car’s ECM is not just a little black box that has a few transistors and a complex circuit board. Actually, a new ECM would cost you nearly as much as a top-notch laptop. In addition, you cannot save much if you fit it on your own. Many times, the computer suffers damage if someone jump starts a car improperly, or shorts out something when installing a new stereo.
The cost of replacement is in the range of $1,236 and $1,283.
3. Alternator Replacement
Even though an alternator is usually one of those components, which you may take for granted, it does wear out. In addition, keep in mind that when the car’s alternator dies, your car’s whole electrical system will die too.
Keep in mind that according to estimates, you will have to replace them every 50,000 miles to about 100,000 miles; however, it will not last forever. As the alternator is an expensive part, you will not be able to save much if you fit it yourself.
The cost of replacement is in the range of $401 and $802.
4. Fuel Injector Replacement
A fuel injector is an electronically controlled device which sprays (or injects) the proper quantity of fuel into your engine. This helps create a suitable fuel and air mixture for optimal combustion.
Injectors have to provide the right quantity of fuel, but that is not all. They also have to disperse fuel at just the right pressure, angle, and spray pattern. Although fuel injectors are fantastic, you will not like them in case they go bad, as they are quite expensive.
The cost of replacement is in the range of $814 and $1,329.
5. Head Gasket Replacement
The head gasket in a vehicle has a very important job; it helps seal the engine cylinders and, thereby, keeps oil and coolant from leaking. Therefore, it is important to maintain the seal on the head gasket. Any failure to do so could lead to overheating as well as further damage to your engine.
Although a head gasket itself is not expensive, keep in mind that repairing a broken head gasket is usually laborious and often requires a professional.
The cost of replacement can vary from $1,107 to $1,396.
6. Timing Belt Replacement
Keep in mind that you have to replace the timing belts on a regular basis. Timing belts are vulnerable to wear and tear because of excessive use. While replacing the timing belt in itself is not too costly, if you do not do it, it could cost you plenty of money down the line.
Also, note that in case a worn or damaged timing belt splits, it could cause severe damage to pistons, valves, camshaft, and connecting rods among others.
It can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars to replacing all of these damaged parts as well as a lot of time.
The cost of replacement can vary from $652 to $855.
7. Radiator Replacement
Although a radiator can work well for years without any problems, it could fail easily in case your vehicle gets front-end damage. This can also happen if you ignore to use a good antifreeze mix when you’re filling them up.
Keep in mind that antifreeze has corrosion inhibitors that will keep frozen water from expanding and seriously damaging the radiator. Note that if your vehicle is losing coolant on a regular basis, you should not assume the radiator is the culprit, as there are many other hoses as well as joints which could leak as well.
In addition, those are simpler, much cheaper repairs. As a result, make sure that it is your radiator, which has gone bad before you purchase a new one.
The cost of replacement is in the range of $593 and $720.
8. Starter Replacement
There is nothing worse than the horrible and annoying moment when you turn your ignition key only to get a feeble whirr, a few clonks or ticks from under the car’s hood and a long period of silence.
In case you are lucky, it may be just your battery, which is usually a cheap and easy fix. On the other hand, if you are not very lucky, it may be the car’s starter motor.
In most cases, starters will go for several years without any problems or issues, but at times, they just do not.
The cost of replacement can vary from $376 to $837.
9. Water Pump Replacement
Although this is a rather small part, it is vital for your vehicle’s cooling system. It can last 50,000 miles, or it may last 100,000 (if you are lucky). Sometimes, it never fails. However, when it fails, the coolant will not pump through your radiator and engine. Moreover, it is likely that they will soon become hot and angry, so will you while you push the car to your nearest repair shop.
Keep in mind that water pump failures could happen on their own. That said, you could improve your odds if you keep the coolant system in good shape and top it off on a regular basis with an excellent antifreeze mix.
The cost of replacement can vary from $567 to $745.
How an Extended Auto Warranty Can Help Save on Car Repairs
Mechanical auto parts can wear out or fail on their own. That said, they could also fail prematurely due to poor maintenance. This is why it is important to read the manuals, use the proper coolants, oils, and fluids and pay special attention to the car’s recommended service intervals.
In addition, there is also the added safety net that comes with the protection of a vehicle service contract.
If you follow your routine maintenance WHILE under the extended protection of a vehicle service contact, the costs for the above big ticket repairs will be greatly reduced.
You will also have the major benefit of roadside assistance at your fingertips for no matter when and where you experience these car problems. Endurance works with all ASE certified repair facility in United States or Canada so you never need to restrict yourself to the dealership where you purchased your vehicle and pay a premium on repairs.
Want to Save THOUSANDS on Auto Repairs? Get Endurance!
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Endurance is the Nation’s Premier Extended Coverage Provider
Endurance was founded to save vehicle owners on the cost of car repairs due to vehicle breakdowns.
We are more than familiar with the cost of these repairs and how often they occur. Even the smallest repair can end up costing a driver hundreds or thousands of dollars. And as time goes on that the cost of repairs is only going up, with parts for your vehicles becoming harder to find and more expensive to make.
But Endurance isn’t just there to save you on auto repairs, we are your full automotive resource and can offer members an array of benefits packages that can give you total peace of mind behind the wheel.
Endurance can provide all vehicle owners with:
- Affordable payment options for any budget.
- Award-winning customer service.
- Your choice of a licensed mechanic.
- Claims paid directly to the repair centers.
- A risk-free 30-day trial period with a money back guarantee.
Endurance is a direct provider of vehicle service contracts and we can offer drivers affordable plans with competitive rates for the absolute longest coverage terms.
Don’t wait until it’s too late to protect your vehicle from expensive repairs like the nine we have listed above. And believe us, those only represent the tip of the iceberg. Rather than waiting for a pricey repair, protect your car AND your wallet with Endurance!
*A Vehicle Service Contract (VSC) is often referred to as an “extended auto warranty”, but is not a warranty. A VSC does, however, provide repair coverage for your vehicle after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. A VSC is a contract between you and an administrator that states what’s a covered repair and what’s not. Endurance is an administrator of VSCs and does not sell warranties.*
