CarMD.com Corporation unveiled its 2024 CarMD® Vehicle Health Index, highlighting a concerning trend: nearly half of drivers (49%) have dashboard warning lights illuminated, with check engine-related repair costs escalating nationwide.
This surge in costs, up 5.1% from the previous year, is attributed primarily to soaring parts expenses amid vehicles being retained longer.
David Rich, CarMD’s technical vice president, stressed the importance of addressing dashboard warnings promptly, particularly the check engine light, which signals emissions or drivetrain issues. Ignoring such warnings can lead to costly repairs and performance issues.
It’s not a joke: Here are the 10 most common check engine light-related repairs in 2023 and the average cost (including parts and labor) to make that repair:
- Replace catalytic converter(s), $1,304
- Replace oxygen sensor(s), $253
- Replace ignition coil(s) and spark plug(s), $398
- Replace mass air flow sensor, $311
- Replace ignition coil(s), $212
- Replace EVAP canister purge control valve, $141
- Tighten or replace fuel cap, free to tighten; $25 on average to replace (not in top five repairs for the first time)
- Replace ABS wheel speed sensor, $271 (new to the list this year)
- Replace fuel injector(s), $446
- Reprogram powertrain control module, $109
Key findings from the report include a significant jump in check engine light instances and the absence of the gas cap from the top five repair issues for the first time since tracking began in 2011. Additionally, vehicle age plays a role, with model year 2007 vehicles most prone to check engine light-related repairs.
CarMD’s Vehicle Health Index draws from more than 15 million failures and repairs reported by vehicle owners and professionals. More at: CarMD Vehicle Health Index .
