A windshield wiper motor replacement costs $315 to $560 in 2026
A windshield wiper motor replacement costs $315 to $560 in 2026 for common cars, per RepairPal. Its national average is $488 to $547. Labor is about $115 to $169 and parts are about $372 to $377. YourMechanic puts the average for a Honda Civic at $217, with $77 for parts and $140 for labor. Jerry says wiper motor repairs usually cost $170 to $329.
Windshield wiper motor 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 |
|---|---|
| Honda CR-V | $493 to $560 |
| Chevrolet Silverado 1500 | $412 to $489 |
| Honda Civic | $407 to $463 |
| Ford F-150 | $383 to $437 |
| Toyota Camry | $369 to $421 |
| Toyota Corolla | $357 to $399 |
| Honda Accord | $315 to $365 |
| Nissan Altima | $317 to $362 |
How common cars compare
Against the middle of the RepairPal national average, $518, the Honda CR-V is about the national middle; the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 runs about 13 percent less; the Honda Civic runs about 16 percent less; the Ford F-150 runs about 21 percent less; the Toyota Camry runs about 24 percent less; the Toyota Corolla runs about 27 percent less; the Honda Accord runs about 34 percent less; the Nissan Altima runs about 34 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 4 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 $488 to $547. Labor is about $115 to $169 and parts are about $372 to $377. |
| YourMechanic | YourMechanic puts the average for a Honda Civic at $217, with $77 for parts and $140 for labor. |
| Jerry | Jerry says wiper motor repairs usually cost $170 to $329. |
| Mechanic Base | Mechanic Base says it may cost $150 to $400 on average, with parts at $50 to $225 and labor at $100 to $175. |
What pushes the quote up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Front or rear motor | A rear wiper motor is small and easy to reach. A front motor sits under the cowl and costs more to get to. |
| Linkage included | On many cars the motor and the linkage come as one unit. That raises the part price a lot. |
| Labor time | Shops often have to pull off the wiper arms, cowl panel and sometimes the wiper transmission. That adds hours. |
| Part source | A new factory motor costs far more than an aftermarket or remanufactured one. |
| Car type | Luxury and import cars use costly motors with built-in electronics, and the cowl is often harder to remove. |
How to tell you need it
- The wipers move slowly, stop in the middle of the glass, or do not move at all when the switch is on.
- You hear a humming or clicking sound but the arms do not move. A shop checks the fuse and relay first, then tests the motor for power.
- The wipers work on one speed only, or do not park at the bottom when you turn them off.
What the price includes
The price usually covers the new wiper motor, the labor to remove the wiper arms and cowl panel, and a test of the wipers. Some shops charge extra if the linkage also needs to be replaced. 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 fuse, relay and wiper linkage were tested before the motor was blamed.
- Ask if the price is for the motor only or for the motor and linkage together.
- Ask if the part is new, remanufactured or aftermarket, and what the warranty is.
- Ask for the labor hours and if the cowl panel has to come off.
- Compare the total with the range above: $315 to $560 for most cars.
Ways to pay less
- Have the fuse, relay and wiper switch checked first. A cheap fix may solve it.
- Ask for an aftermarket or remanufactured motor instead of a factory one.
- Get a quote from an independent shop and compare it to the dealer.
- If only the linkage is worn, ask if you can buy just that part.
Dealer or independent shop
RepairPal puts labor for a windshield wiper motor replacement at $115 to $169. 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 $203 for the same labor, and a $100 an hour shop about $101. 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. Wiper motors use copper windings, magnets and plastic gears, and many now come bundled with a metal linkage, so the whole assembly costs more to build.
How we got these numbers
The national range, the labor and parts split and the prices by car come from RepairPal's windshield wiper motor replacement estimate, last updated September 3, 2026. We checked them against YourMechanic, Jerry and Mechanic Base, 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 wiper motor replacement cost?
RepairPal puts it at $488 to $547. Jerry says $170 to $329, and Mechanic Base says $150 to $400. Parts are $50 to $225.
Can I drive with a broken wiper motor?
You can in dry weather, but it is unsafe in rain or snow. In many places it can also fail an inspection. Fix it soon.
How long does it take?
Mechanic Base says it takes about an hour to install. Hard to reach motors can take longer.
Can I replace it myself?
Many people can. You take off the wiper arms and the cowl cover, then swap the motor. It saves the labor cost of $100 to $175.