An exhaust manifold replacement costs $518 to $2,962 in 2026
An exhaust manifold replacement costs $518 to $2,962 in 2026 for common cars, per RepairPal. Its national average is $1,514 to $1,724. Labor is about $349 to $512 and parts are about $1,164 to $1,212. SoFi puts the total at $1,329 to $1,534, with parts at $991 to $1,037 and labor at $339 to $497. YourMechanic lists an average of $264 for a Honda Civic, with $169 for parts and $95 for labor.
Exhaust manifold 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 |
|---|---|
| Nissan Altima | $2,841 to $2,962 |
| Honda Civic | $2,146 to $2,286 |
| Honda Accord | $1,775 to $2,086 |
| Honda CR-V | $1,613 to $1,719 |
| Toyota Camry | $1,278 to $1,406 |
| Ford F-150 | $886 to $1,152 |
| Toyota Corolla | $725 to $833 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $518 to $669 |
How common cars compare
Against the middle of the RepairPal national average, $1,619, the Nissan Altima runs about 79 percent more; the Honda Civic runs about 37 percent more; the Honda Accord runs about 19 percent more; the Honda CR-V is about the national middle; the Toyota Camry runs about 17 percent less; the Ford F-150 runs about 37 percent less; the Toyota Corolla runs about 52 percent less; the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 runs about 63 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 $1,514 to $1,724. Labor is about $349 to $512 and parts are about $1,164 to $1,212. |
| SoFi | SoFi puts the total at $1,329 to $1,534, with parts at $991 to $1,037 and labor at $339 to $497. |
| YourMechanic | YourMechanic lists an average of $264 for a Honda Civic, with $169 for parts and $95 for labor. |
What pushes the quote up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Engine layout | A V6 or V8 has two manifolds, and one may sit under the intake or behind other parts. That adds hours. |
| Part type | A cast iron manifold costs less than one built into the catalytic converter. Some cars need the whole piece. |
| Broken studs | Heat makes manifold bolts rust and snap. Drilling them out adds shop time. |
| Gaskets and hardware | A good job also needs new gaskets, nuts, and sometimes a new heat shield. |
| Car type | Trucks, luxury cars, and turbo engines often cost much more than a small sedan. |
How to tell you need it
- You hear a ticking or tapping sound on a cold start that fades as the engine warms up.
- You smell exhaust in the cabin, or you see a crack or soot near the manifold.
- A shop finds a leak with a smoke test or by checking for cracks and soot trails.
What the price includes
The price covers the new manifold, gaskets, and labor to remove the old one and bolt on the new one. Check if the shop also adds new studs and tests for leaks. 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 if the quote is for one manifold or both.
- Ask if it includes new gaskets, studs, and bolts.
- Ask what happens if a stud breaks, and what that costs.
- Ask if the catalytic converter is part of the price.
- Compare the total with the range above: $518 to $2,962 for most cars.
Ways to pay less
- Ask for a quote with an aftermarket manifold, not just the factory part.
- Get a second quote from an exhaust shop, not only a dealer.
- Fix a small leak early, before heat cracks nearby parts.
- Ask the shop to swap the gasket only if the manifold has no cracks.
Dealer or independent shop
RepairPal puts labor for an exhaust manifold replacement at $349 to $512. At the typical independent shop rate of about $140 an hour, that is about 3.1 hours of work. A dealer charging $200 an hour would bill about $615 for the same labor, and a $100 an hour shop about $308. 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. Cast iron and stainless steel manifolds cost more to make, and many are now built into the catalytic converter, which holds costly metals.
How we got these numbers
The national range, the labor and parts split and the prices by car come from RepairPal's exhaust manifold replacement estimate, last updated September 3, 2026. We checked them against SoFi and YourMechanic, 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 exhaust manifold replacement cost?
RepairPal shows $1,514 to $1,724 on average in the US. SoFi lists $1,329 to $1,534. Your car can move that number a lot.
Can I drive with a bad exhaust manifold?
Short trips may be possible, but it is not a good idea. A leak can let exhaust fumes into the cabin and can hurt your engine over time.
How long does the repair take?
SoFi says labor is about 3 to 5 hours. Rusted bolts can make it longer.
Can I do it myself?
It is hard for most people. The bolts are tight and can snap from heat. A shop has the tools to drill out broken studs.