Most drivers eventually experience an unexpected vehicle issue that requires professional repair. As vehicles age and accumulate mileage, repair costs can increase, particularly once factory warranty coverage has expired.

At Endurance, we understand what it takes to keep your car running. Once a vehicle exceeds its factory warranty terms—typically based on time and mileage—owners become responsible for the full cost of most mechanical repairs unless additional coverage is in place. Beyond that pesky feeling in the back of your head that someday, something will go catastrophically wrong, you also have to pay for the car repair costs directly out of pocket.

For nearly 20 years, Endurance has been a leading provider of vehicle service contracts, commonly referred to as extended auto warranties. This kind of coverage protects vehicle owners from even the most expensive repairs from a breakdown. Few things can blow your budget faster than a car repair.

It is more than just a matter of getting one or more items replaced or fixed when you own a car. Regardless of the make and model of your vehicle, repairs can be quite expensive. In fact, they could set you back a couple of hundred dollars, if not more. In addition, keep in mind that some vehicle repairs are pricier than others. It’s worth mentioning that no car or vehicle is immune to a costly repair, from the most durable and reliable makes, such as Honda, to the most exotic, unique, old, and new cars. Regardless, it is always good to know a ballpark amount.

In this article, we review the most expensive auto repairs, including:

• Clutch assembly replacement
• Engine control module
• Alternator replacement
• Fuel injector replacement
• Head gasket replacement
• Timing belt replacement
• Radiator replacement
• Starter replacement
• Water pump replacement

We ranked them from most expensive to least expensive to make things easier.

1. Clutch Assembly Replacement

Mechanical vehicle clutches can be any number of different devices and are the most expensive car repair on our list. These clutches engage and disengage two moving components of a shaft or of a driving mechanism. As you can expect, clutches wear out gradually, and you often have plenty of warning signs before they require replacement.

Moreover, although you may save a few bucks by doing all the work yourself, clutch replacement is a labor-intensive repair that typically requires specialized tools and professional expertise, particularly on front-wheel-drive vehicles.

The cost of replacement is in the range of $1,589 to $2,003.

2. Engine Control Module Replacement

This is another critical 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.

The engine control module (ECM) is a critical onboard computer responsible for managing engine performance. Replacement costs are high due to the component’s complexity and the need for programming and calibration. In addition, you cannot save much if you fit it on your own. The computer often suffers damage if someone jump-starts a car improperly or shorts out something when installing a new stereo.

The replacement costs are in the range of $1,120 to $1,202.

3. Alternator Replacement

Even though an alternator is usually one of those components that 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.

Alternator lifespan varies by vehicle, driving conditions, and electrical load, but failures become more common as vehicles age and accumulate mileage. As the alternator is expensive, you will not be able to save much if you fit it yourself.

The cost of replacement is in the range of $744 to $1,034.

4. Fuel Injector Replacement

A fuel injector is an electronically controlled device that sprays (or injects) the proper quantity of fuel into your engine. This helps create a suitable fuel and air mixture for optimal combustion.

Fuel injectors play a key role in engine efficiency and performance, and failures can lead to drivability issues, reduced fuel economy, and costly repairs.

The cost of replacement is in the range of $763 and $966.

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 and 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 replacement costs can vary from $2,457 to $3,219.

6. Timing Belt Replacement

Keep in mind that you have to replace the timing belts regularly. 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.

If a timing belt fails, it can cause extensive internal engine damage on interference engines, significantly increasing repair costs beyond routine belt replacement.

It can cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars to replace all of these damaged car parts, as well as a lot of time.

The cost of replacement can vary from $884 to $1,284.

7. Radiator Replacement

Radiators may fail due to age, corrosion, physical damage, or cooling system neglect, making proper coolant maintenance essential to long-term reliability. 

Remember 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 and joints that could leak as well.

In addition, those are simpler, much cheaper repairs. As a result, make sure that it is your radiator that has gone bad before you purchase a new one.

The cost of replacement is in the range of $1,245 to $1,466.

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 sometimes, they just do not.

The cost of replacement can vary from $531 to $773.

9. Water Pump Replacement

Although this is a rather small part, it is vital for your vehicle’s cooling system. Water pump lifespan varies by vehicle design and maintenance history, with failures becoming more likely as mileage increases or when cooling system issues are present. Sometimes, it never fails. However, the coolant will not pump through your radiator and engine when it fails. Moreover, it is likely that they will soon become hot and angry, and 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 regularly with an excellent antifreeze mix.

The cost of replacement can vary from $849 to $1,094.

How an Extended Auto Warranty Can Help Save on Car Repairs

Mechanical auto parts can wear out or fail on their own in new and used cars. Parts can 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 an extended warranty or vehicle service contract.

If you follow your routine maintenance while under the protection of an Endurance vehicle service contract, the costs for the above big-ticket repairs could be greatly reduced. Using the Endurance Customer Portal, you can also benefit from 24/7 access to your plan and, if you break down, quickly call roadside assistance. Endurance works with most ASE-certified repair facilities in the United States, so you never need to restrict yourself to the dealership where you purchased your vehicle and pay a premium on repairs.

Trust the Leading Auto Protection Plan Provider

Endurance was founded to save car, truck, and SUV owners on the cost of car repairs due to vehicle breakdowns. We are familiar with the cost of these repairs and how often they occur. Even the smallest repair can cost a driver hundreds or thousands of dollars. And, as time goes on, the cost of repairs increases, and parts for your vehicles can become harder to find and more expensive to make.

Endurance isn’t just there to save you on auto repairs; we are your full automotive resource and offer car owners an array of benefits that can give you total peace of mind behind the wheel.

Endurance provides all new customers with:

• Affordable payment options for any budget
• Award-winning customer service
• Your choice of any licensed mechanic
• Claims are paid directly to the repair centers
• A risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee

Endurance is a direct provider of vehicle service contracts, offering drivers affordable plans with competitive rates for various coverage terms. Choose one of our comprehensive coverage plans or personalize your own based on your needs and budget, whether you own a Ford, Chrysler, or BMW.

Don’t wait until your check engine light comes on to protect your vehicle from expensive repairs. Call (800) 253-8203 for a free quote, or shop online to see your pricing and plan recommendations today!