Window Motor Replacement Cost

Typical costs:

• A window motor can cost $50-$550 or more for just the part, depending on the brand and the make and model of vehicle, and whether the part is produced by the vehicle manufacturer (called OEM) or by another company (called aftermarket, and typically less expensive). For example, Autozone charges $63-$305 for an aftermarket window motor for a 2008 Honda Accord^[1] , depending on whether it's a front or rear window.
• Professional installation typically takes 1.5-3 hours at $50-$120 an hour, depending on local rates, the make and model of vehicle, and whether the work is done by an independent or chain repair shop, or at a dealership (typically the most expensive). This brings total costs (parts and labor) to $150-$900 or more.
• For example, San Jose Auto Repair^[2] in California estimates that a window motor replacement costs $140-$260 for most vehicles. RepairPal^[3] estimates that replacing a window motor on a 2008 Honda Accord costs $196-$307 in Sacramento, CA ($119-$209 parts, $77-$98 labor) and $193-$304 in Trenton, NJ ($74-$95 labor). On a 2008 Lexus LS460, RepairPal estimates that replacing the front window motor is $664-$764 in Sacramento ($173-$220 labor, $492-$543 parts) and $659-$757 in Trenton ($167-$213 labor); for the rear window motor it is $635-$727 in Sacramento ($144-$183 labor, $492-$543 parts) and $631-$721 in Trenton ($139-$178 labor). For a 2008 Ford F-250 Super Duty Truck, RepairPal estimates that parts cost $98-$131, with total installation costs of $194-$253 in Sacramento and $191-$249 in Trenton.

• Replacing a power window motor requires taking off the door panel, removing the window glass, removing the old motor, installing the new one and reversing the procedure to reassemble the door. AutoMD provides how-to instructions and a video demonstration^[4] .

• In many states there may be a core charge^[5] of $20-$60 for the window motor; this is a recycling fee, similar to the fees on plastic bottles, and does not have to be paid (or will be refunded) if the old part is exchanged for the new one.

• AutoMD^[6] estimates that a do-it-yourself window motor replacement takes about 1.8 hours and is of moderate complexity. However, a Ford Expedition owner^[7] reports being injured by the coil spring under the window motor, so read and follow all safety precautions carefully.

• Before replacing a window motor, check to see whether a fuse and/or circuit breaker is blown.
• A window motor can be replaced by a car dealership, an independent repair shop, an automotive glass service, a car audio specialist (they're experienced at working inside car doors) or car-repair chains like Pep Boys^[8] or Sears^[9] . Both the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence^[10] and the International Automotive Technicians Network^[11] provide a searchable directory of repair shops.
• Consumer Reports lists tips for finding a good mechanic^[12] .

1.  www.autozone.com/autozone/parts/2008-Honda-Accord-EX/Window-Lift-Motor/_/N-jsle9Z8...
2.  www.sanjoseautorepair.com/window.html
3.  repairpal.com/estimator
4.  www.automd.com/143/how-to-replace-a-window-motor/
5.  shop.advanceautoparts.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/content_corecharge___
6.  www.automd.com/143/how-to-replace-a-window-motor/
7.  www.expeditionforum.com/f27/how-not-replace-broken-window-motor-5520/
8.  storelocator.pepboys.com/pepboys/
9.  www.sears.com/automotive/v-1020005
10.  www.ase.com/Landing-Pages/Car-Owners/Find-a-Repair-Shop/Shop-Locator.aspx
11.  autorepair.iatn.net/
12.  www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/12/how-to-find-a-great-car-mechanic/index.htm

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