An air filter replacement costs $57 to $137 in 2026
An air filter replacement costs $57 to $137 in 2026 for common cars, per RepairPal. Its national average is $79 to $99. Labor is about $38 to $56 and parts are about $41 to $43. YourMechanic lists the Honda Civic average at $147, with $7 for parts and $140 for labor. Jerry says most drivers pay $73 to $142 for an engine air filter replacement.
Air filter replacement cost by car
RepairPal lists these ranges for the most common cars. Your year and engine move the price inside each range.
| Car | Price, parts and labor |
|---|---|
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $117 to $137 |
| Nissan Altima | $71 to $96 |
| Toyota Camry | $66 to $89 |
| Honda Civic | $66 to $87 |
| Ford F-150 | $65 to $85 |
| Toyota Corolla | $62 to $83 |
| Honda CR-V | $62 to $78 |
| Honda Accord | $57 to $73 |
How common cars compare
Against the middle of the RepairPal national average, $89, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 runs about 43 percent more; the Nissan Altima runs about 6 percent less; the Toyota Camry runs about 13 percent less; the Honda Civic runs about 14 percent less; the Ford F-150 runs about 16 percent less; the Toyota Corolla runs about 19 percent less; the Honda CR-V runs about 21 percent less; the Honda Accord runs about 27 percent less. The gap comes from where the part sits, how long it takes to reach, and the price of the part for that car.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| RepairPal | National average $79 to $99. Labor is about $38 to $56 and parts are about $41 to $43. |
| YourMechanic | YourMechanic lists the Honda Civic average at $147, with $7 for parts and $140 for labor. |
| Jerry | Jerry says most drivers pay $73 to $142 for an engine air filter replacement. |
What pushes the quote up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Filter type | A basic paper filter is cheap. A high flow or premium filter costs more. |
| Housing design | Most boxes open with clips in a minute. Some cars need tools or other parts moved. |
| Where you go | A quick lube shop often charges less than a dealer. Some add a big markup on the filter. |
| Car type | Trucks and luxury cars use larger or special filters that cost more. |
| Bundled work | Many shops add a cabin filter or oil change. Check what is on the bill. |
How to tell you need it
- The engine feels weak or slow when you press the gas.
- Your fuel use goes down, or the engine sounds rough at idle.
- A shop pulls the filter out and it looks dark or full of dirt and leaves.
What the price includes
The price includes a new engine air filter and the labor to open the box and swap it. It does not include a cabin filter unless the quote lists one. It does not include tax, shop supply fees, or other repairs the shop finds while the car is in.
How to judge your quote
- Ask for the filter brand and part number.
- Ask to see the old filter next to a new one.
- Ask if a cabin filter is on the quote, and if you asked for it.
- Ask what the labor charge is, since this job takes only a few minutes.
- Compare the total with the range above: $57 to $137 for most cars.
Ways to pay less
- Change it yourself. Most take a couple of clips and no tools.
- Buy the filter at a parts store and ask a shop to install it.
- Skip the add on filters a shop pushes if yours still looks clean.
- Watch for coupons from lube shops, which often cover the install.
Dealer or independent shop
RepairPal puts labor for an air filter replacement at $38 to $56. At the typical independent shop rate of about $140 an hour, that is under 1 hour of work. A dealer charging $200 an hour would bill about $67 for the same labor, and a $100 an hour shop about $34. Parts cost about the same anywhere, so the shop rate is where you can save. See what mechanics charge an hour.
Why this costs more in 2026
Shop labor now runs about $100 to $250 an hour. Many car parts are imported, and freight costs went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Steel, copper, aluminum and resin prices are up too, and they go into almost every part. Filters now use synthetic media and plastic frames, and paper and resin costs have gone up, so even a simple filter costs more than it did.
How we got these numbers
The national range, the labor and parts split and the prices by car come from RepairPal's air filter replacement estimate, last updated September 3, 2026. We checked them against YourMechanic and Jerry, and read every number on the source page on October 7, 2026. These are planning ranges, not quotes. Your shop's written estimate is the real price.
Common questions
How much does an engine air filter replacement cost?
RepairPal lists $79 to $99 nationally. Jerry says most drivers pay $73 to $142.
Can I drive with a dirty air filter?
Yes for a while, but the engine may feel weak and use more fuel. Change it when it looks dark or full of dirt.
How long does it take?
Most shops do it in about 10 to 15 minutes.
Can I change it myself?
Yes. On most cars the box opens with a few clips and needs no tools. A part store filter can cost much less than a shop charge.