You can expect an average total replacement cost of $287 for a heater hose replacement, with $128 for parts and $159 for mechanic labor. The exact price will depend on your vehicle.

How long does it take to replace heater hoses? In general, it takes around 1.4 hours for a certified mechanic to complete the job. Your mechanic will perform a preliminary inspection to determine if a replacement is necessary, then follow through with the full replacement.

Here’s an overview of heater hose average costs for different vehicles:

Fan clutch replacement cost for various vehicles

Estimate Date	Customer	Car	Fair Cost Estimate	Parts Cost	Labor Cost	Labor Time
April 23, 2024	Ernest, 25 Philadelphia, PA	Subaru Forester	$191	$105	$85	0.8 Hours
April 18, 2024	Maria, 32 Columbia, SC	Jaguar XE	$190	$93	$97	0.8 Hours
April 13, 2024	Logan, 41 Houston, TX	Chevrolet Tahoe	$188	$93	$95	0.8 Hours
April 12, 2024	Flora, 42 Baton Rouge, LA	Isuzu Trooper	$188	$93	$95	0.8 Hours
April 11, 2024	Earl, 44 Oklahoma City, OK	Saturn Vue	$212	$105	$106	0.8 Hours

How’d we estimate these prices?
Jerry experts collected data from 2500+ real repair shops in all 50 states; including the total cost of services, and hourly labor cost. We researched thousands of shops across the US, and we update our estimates annually. Our labor cost estimate is calculated by taking the average hourly labor rate for a mechanic in the US, times the number of hours it takes to complete a repair. We recommend you contact your local shop directly for final pricing for your vehicle.

Get a free fair cost estimate for my car

See fair price estimates for popular cars

What parts do I need for my heater hose replacement and how much do those parts cost?

You can check your owner’s manual or ask your mechanic for precise parts, but here’s the main thing you need:

Heater hoses: The heater hose is the main component needed in the replacement. A heater hose carries coolant from the engine to the heater core and back. On its own, the cost of a heater hose ranges anywhere from $10 to $100.

Hose clamps: You will need new hose clamps to secure the new heater hoses in place. New hose clamps can cost anywhere from $5 to $20.

Coolant: It's essential to have enough coolant to refill the cooling system after the heater hose replacement. On average, coolant costs between $10 and $25.

You can purchase heater hose parts for your car from auto parts stores like AutoZone, NAPA Auto Parts, and Advance Auto Parts, or online retailers such as Amazon and RockAuto. Three of our top recommended brands for heater hose parts are Gates, Dayco, and ACDelco. However, the right parts will vary depending on your vehicle’s year, make, and model.

Should I buy an OEM or aftermarket heater hoses?

When it comes to your heater hoses, there are pros and cons to choosing either the OEM or aftermarket option. While it can be cheaper to opt for an aftermarket heater hose, OEM heater hoses tend to be more reliable and offer longer functionality.

Where can I buy a heater hose replacement?

You can find heater hoses at body shops and auto parts shops like AutoZone, NAPA Auto Parts, and Advance Auto Parts. Another spot you can buy them is on Amazon.

Pro tip: Before searching for any parts, it’s best to consult your vehicle’s owner manual for lists of all of the specs for replacements you need and dealership warranty information.

Find out what parts are recommended for my car

Where can I get my heater hoses replaced?

With the rundown on 2,500+ vetted repair shops nationwide, Jerry's

GarageGuard™

can make the search for a mechanic to replace your heater hoses a lot easier.

Jerry's GarageGuard™ compares fair price estimates from local shops using actual hourly rates. You’ll be able to budget for diagnostic fees and see reviews from previous customers to make sure you’ll be happy with your service.

Here’s a look at some of our vetted shops below—and you can download the app to compare car repair quotes in your area.

166 Reviews

H.A.D. Automotive

7080 Hazard Ave ste f, Huntington, CA

Heater Hoses Replacement Cost

Fair Cost Estimate for This Shop

$393

(Parts - $108, Labor - $285)

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (714) 897-7157

140 Reviews

Zipin Out Auto Service

38472 Cedar Blvd,, Newark, CA

Heater Hoses Replacement Cost

Fair Cost Estimate for This Shop

$317

(Parts - $108, Labor - $209)

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$140

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (510) 792-6699

164 Reviews

Full Service Master Car Care, LLC

1021 Patricia Dr, San Antonio, TX

Heater Hoses Replacement Cost

Fair Cost Estimate for This Shop

$317

(Parts - $108, Labor - $209)

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$110

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (210) 942-1972

173 Reviews

Paul's Auto Service

1754 E Charleston Blvd, Las Vegas, NV

Heater Hoses Replacement Cost

Fair Cost Estimate for This Shop

$284

(Parts - $108, Labor - $176)

Shop Diagnostic Fee

(Included in service charges)

$85

Compare this shop for free with Jerry (702) 384-7636

How did we vet these shops?
Jerry experts researched 2500+ real repair shops across the US. We talked to real shop customers, and analyzed both real shop pricing data and thousands of real customer reviews from each shop to verify them individually. We do not partner with the shops listed above, and our analysis is always unbiased.

How will a mechanic replace my heater hoses?

After your mechanic identifies the heater hose as the source of your car’s engine overheating, they will perform the following steps:

Open and secure the hood to prepare for service

Drain excess engine coolant from the heater hose

Install new heater hose

Refill coolant, start the engine

Check for leaks and observe engine temperature

What happens when your heater hose goes bad?

The most immediate effect of a failed heater hose is a loss of cabin heat. However, this inconvenience can soon lead to much larger issues.

A damaged or faulty heater hose can cause coolant leaks. Low coolant levels affect not only your vehicle’s heating system, but the entire engine cooling system as well.

Your heater hoses are also connected to the larger cooling system powered by the water pump, which circulates coolant to the thermostat housing and car radiator where the coolant heat dissipates, helping to keep your engine at the right temperature.

Without proper temperature regulation, you could experience:

Poor engine performance

Your engine to overheat

A cracked engine block

Cylinder head gasket failure

What is a heater hose?

Your car’s heater hose is responsible for transporting excess heat from the engine compartment in the form of heated coolant from the engine’s cooling system to your heater core, which provides warmth for passengers in the vehicle’s cabin.

How do I know if my heater hose is bad?

The first thing you’ll notice is that no hot air is coming from your heater vents. If the issue with your hose results in a leak, you will soon notice the following:

Dashboard alerts that your engine is overheating

Leaking engine coolant from the heater hose

Coolant puddles or pools under your vehicle

Coolant odor when hood is open

Low coolant level

Steam rising from under the hood

How often should heater hoses be replaced?

Typically, heater hoses and hose clamps should be replaced once every four to six years. This translates to roughly every 50,000 to 100,000 miles.

Keep in mind: Every manufacturer specifies a different age limit for their heater hoses, so be sure to consult your owner’s manual or speak with a certified mechanic.

Can I replace my heater hoses myself?

If you want to save money on repair costs and replace your heater hoses yourself, you need to be confident in your auto repair and DIY skills. You’ll need to be equipped with a heater hose repair kit, along with new engine coolant (antifreeze), new hoses, and safety goggles.

Replacing this part can be challenging if you’re not prepared. For the average car owner, we recommend visiting an auto shop and letting a trained mechanic perform the job.

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FAQs

How long does it take to replace a heater hose?

This procedure takes around two hours to complete.

Do heater hoses need to be replaced?

Yes, if heater hoses are broken or worn out, they should be replaced to prevent engine damage.

Meet Our Experts

John Davis

Car Expert

Certified mechanic with 10+ years of experience

John Davis is an expert automotive writer and former automotive mechanic. John's work spans multiple categories, and he relishes the opportunity to research a new subject and expand his area of expertise and industry knowledge. To date, John has written more than 200 articles covering car maintenance and care, car advice, how-to guides, and more.

Prior to joining Jerry’s editorial team, John worked as a mechanic and freelance writer, creating content for clients including HotCars and SetPower.

Jessica Barrett

Car Expert

Jessica Barrett is a senior insurance writer and editor with 10 years of experience in the automotive and travel industries. A specialist in car insurance, car loans, and car ownership, Jessica’s mission is to create comprehensive content that car owners can use to manage their costs and improve their lives. As a managing editor for a team of writers and insurance specialists, Jessica has edited over 2,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from local insurance shopping tips to refinancing car loans with bad credit.

Before joining Jerry as a senior content editor in 2021, Jessica created visual content for clients such as Expedia, Vivid Seats, Budget Direct Car Insurance, Angie’s List, and HomeAdvisor. Her content was published in Business Insider, Forbes, Apartment Therapy, and the BBC.

Kathleen Flear

Car Expert

Kathleen Flear is an expert insurance writer and editor who heads up Jerry’s editorial team as director of content. Kathleen empowers drivers to make smart car ownership decisions through best-in-class articles on insurance, loans, and maintenance. Prior to joining Jerry in 2021, Kathleen served as managing editor for a team of SEO content marketing professionals at Article-Writing.co and worked as a freelance writer and editor for a range of digital publications, including Chicago Literati magazine and Golden Words. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English language and literature from Queen’s University, and a master’s degree in creative writing and fiction from Sierra Nevada University.

*The price information provided on our car repair webpages is intended for general informational purposes only. Actual prices for car repair services may vary based on various factors, including but not limited to the make and model of your vehicle, the extent of repair required, and the prevailing market conditions. All prices for real repair shops are estimations based on our research only. Therefore, the prices listed on our webpages should not be considered as final quotes or binding offers.