A clock spring replacement costs $375 to $690 in 2026
A clock spring replacement costs $375 to $690 in 2026 for common cars, per RepairPal. Its national average is $510 to $567. Labor is about $123 to $180 and parts are about $387. CarParts.com says the average clockspring replacement is around $440, parts and labor included. CarAdvise lists a national cost of $178 to $519 with an average of $299 (2023 figures).
Clock spring 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 |
|---|---|
| Toyota Corolla | $631 to $690 |
| Toyota Camry | $615 to $664 |
| Nissan Altima | $588 to $649 |
| Honda Accord | $446 to $508 |
| Honda Civic | $429 to $489 |
| Ford F-150 | $435 to $488 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $391 to $456 |
| Honda CR-V | $375 to $435 |
How common cars compare
Against the middle of the RepairPal national average, $538, the Toyota Corolla runs about 23 percent more; the Toyota Camry runs about 19 percent more; the Nissan Altima runs about 15 percent more; the Honda Accord runs about 11 percent less; the Honda Civic runs about 15 percent less; the Ford F-150 runs about 14 percent less; the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 runs about 21 percent less; the Honda CR-V runs about 25 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 $510 to $567. Labor is about $123 to $180 and parts are about $387. |
| CarParts.com | CarParts.com says the average clockspring replacement is around $440, parts and labor included. |
| CarAdvise | CarAdvise lists a national cost of $178 to $519 with an average of $299 (2023 figures). |
What pushes the quote up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Part price | The clockspring is a coil of wire behind the steering wheel. Aftermarket ones can be cheap, but some cars need a pricey factory part. |
| Car make | Some luxury and hybrid models use a special clockspring that costs several hundred dollars on its own. |
| Steering wheel work | The shop must take off the air bag and the wheel first. That takes care and adds labor time. |
| Extra parts | Some clocksprings are built into the steering column switch. Then you buy a bigger and costlier part. |
| Resets and scans | After the swap, the shop clears air bag codes and checks the wheel angle. Shops charge for that scan time. |
How to tell you need it
- The air bag light stays on and the scan tool shows a driver air bag circuit fault.
- The horn, cruise buttons, or steering wheel controls stop working, or they work only when the wheel is turned a certain way.
- You hear a rubbing, ticking, or clicking noise from the steering column when you turn the wheel.
What the price includes
The price usually covers the new clockspring and the labor to remove and reinstall the air bag and steering wheel. Most shops also clear the air bag light and test the system after. 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 which codes the shop found and how they proved the clockspring is the problem.
- Ask if the part is factory or aftermarket, and what the warranty is.
- Ask if the price includes clearing the air bag codes and a final scan.
- Ask if the wheel will be centered and the steering angle sensor reset after the job.
- Compare the total with the range above: $375 to $690 for most cars.
Ways to pay less
- Get a second quote. Labor time for this job is short, but shop rates differ a lot.
- Ask for a quality aftermarket clockspring when the factory part costs much more.
- Have the shop confirm the fault with a scan first so you do not pay for a part you do not need.
- Check if a recall or warranty covers the part. Some makes had clockspring recalls.
Dealer or independent shop
RepairPal puts labor for a clock spring replacement at $123 to $180. At the typical independent shop rate of about $140 an hour, that is about 1 hour of work. A dealer charging $200 an hour would bill about $216 for the same labor, and a $100 an hour shop about $108. 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. Clocksprings hold fine copper ribbon wire, and newer ones carry more circuits for steering wheel buttons, which raises the part cost.
How we got these numbers
The national range, the labor and parts split and the prices by car come from RepairPal's clock spring replacement estimate, last updated September 3, 2026. We checked them against CarParts.com and CarAdvise, 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 a clockspring replacement cost?
CarParts.com says the average is around $440, parts and labor included. CarAdvise lists $178 to $519.
Can I drive with a bad clockspring?
You can often drive, but the air bag may not work. Get it checked soon, since the air bag light means the system may not protect you.
How long does the job take?
Most shops finish in one to two hours. They must remove the air bag and the steering wheel first.
Can I replace a clockspring myself?
It is risky. The air bag can go off if handled wrong, so most people let a shop do it.