How Much Does a Power Steering Pump Cost?

The power steering pump is a part of the car’s power steering system, important in the maneuverability of the car. The pump pressurizes the oil through a hose in the two chambers of the steering rack. These two-sided chambers will have different pressures, depending on which side the steering wheel is turned. This system allows the driver to turn the wheel with ease.

Older models of cars did not have this power steering system, which meant that the driver was required to put in a lot of strength in order to turn the steering wheel. However, the same thing will occur if the power steering pump failure or malfunctions.

How Much Does Power Steering Pump Replacement Cost?

The average cost of a power steering pump can be anywhere from $100 to $300, without factoring in any labor costs. However, you can expect to pay as much as $3,000 only for the part, depending on the brand and model of the car and where you purchase it from.

Hiring a professional mechanic to replace your bad power steering pump with a new one can cost anywhere from $200 up to $500. Keep in mind that the cost will greatly vary depending on your geographical location, the type of car you own, and the mechanic.

According to CarAdvise.com, the national cost of a power steering pump is between $125 and $685.

On BeckerServiceCenter.com it is stated that the cost range is between $100 and $1,000 only for the part. However, they also claim that German car parts tend to be more expensive than Asian car parts. So expect an average cost range, for a power steering pump between $150 and $500.

AutoZone.com stated that the overall average cost, including the part and labor, is somewhere around $500.

On another website, YourMechanic.com, we found that the average cost can be between $169 and $2,500. Also, the labor cost can be anywhere from $146 up to $556.

Walmart sells different models and brands of power steering pumps and the cost range is from as little as $43 up to $554.

On Amazon, you can purchase this car part for $40 up to $1,740, depending on the make and model of your car and the part’s brand.

Midas.com quoted multiple types of power steering pumps with costs between $167 and $1,490.

Here’s what we could find on different types of power steering pumps for different makes and model cars:

For a Chevy car, models like the Cobalt, Impala, Malibu, and Tahoe, the cost of a power steering pump is somewhere from $300 up to $550.

For a Dodge Caravan, the cost will be around $400 to $620.

The cost of a Ford Focus and Escape power steering pump will be around $380 to $430, while for a Ford Taurus, the cost is from $350 to $470.

Honda Accord and Odyssey have similar costs for this part, somewhere between $280 and $470. A little more expensive is the pump for the Honda Civic with the cost around $450 to $570.

On the high end, the cost of a power steering pump for a Mini Cooper will be between $890 to $1,200.

As stated above, the make and model of the car will heavily impact the overall cost of a power steering pump. Also, when purchasing a cart part, a big factor in figuring out the price will be the store from where you purchase it.

Factors that affect the price

• Type of part – The OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) parts are the most expensive option, followed by the aftermarket parts, which can often be expensive as well.
• Re-manufactured parts –  A rebuilt or re-manufactured power steering pump can cost less than a new one. These are original pumps that are reconditioned with new parts by the vehicle’s manufacturer.
• Vehicle type – The cost of a power steering pump will be influenced by the make and model of the car. The costs can go from $150 up to $3,000 for a high-end car.
• Vehicle year of make/model – The year of make and model of the car is also a factor that may influence the cost. A power steering pump for a Ford F-150 from 2005 can cost around $180, while for a 2009 model, the cost can be around $205.

Power steering pump failure repair overview

Before concluding that you have a faulty power steering pump that needs to be replaced, the mechanic will ensure that the pump is the issue. If this is the case, the mechanic will drain out the fluid from the power steering pump and system.

Also, several components will be verified such as the reservoir, belt, pinions, and rack in order to see if there are any significant issues. Any faulty part will be recommended for replacement as the motor compartment is already disassembled. The mechanic will verify if there are any fluid leaks before replacing the new power steering pump.

You might also like our articles on the cost of power steering fluid flush, power steering belt replacement, or idler pulley replacement.

In order to remove the faulty power steering pump, the mechanic will disconnect the battery for safety. Then, the serpentine belt or drive belt and the radiator fan will be detached, to make room while replacing the pump.

The next step is to disconnect the pump’s cables and hoses and place a tray under the pump to drain the liquid from its reservoir. The power steering pump’s pulley will be detached from the locked nut and the mounting bolts that hold the pump onto the engine, will be removed.

After these steps, the power steering pump can be removed and replaced with a new one.

When the mechanic will reattach all the car parts, some of them may also need to be replaced. This often includes the power steering belt and pulley.

With all the new and old parts put back together, the pump’s reservoir will be filled up with new PS fluid for proper lubrication of the car’s components and a drive test will be done to ensure that everything works properly.

Extra costs to replace a power steering pump

The mechanic will also verify if the hoses are intact and if the power steering belt is not worn. If the parts are damaged, they will strongly recommend you replace them as well, a step that will increase the overall budget. Depending on the make and model of your car, the cost of a new power steering belt will be between $15 and $45.

Take into consideration that purchasing a power steering pump from an online retail store may come with additional costs in shipping and handling fees. Also, this car part is typically heavier, which will add some extra cost to the shipping fee.

DIY the replacement of the power steering pump may come with extra costs, due to the fact that you will need to acquire spacers, hardware, a billet aluminum bracket, and a power steering hose kit which includes a reservoir and other hardware.

Some mechanics will bill extra for the power steering liquid.

Important things to consider

Keep in mind that auto parts dealers may be able to provide an extended warranty when purchasing online the part and also for the labor.

On average, replacing a power steering pump may take two to three hours, depending on the make and model of your car.

How can I save money?

If you have the knowledge of how to replace a power steering pump, all the proper tools, and a place to do the work, you can try to do the job yourself in order to save money. The internet is full of freelance mechanics who post videos on how they do it. For example, PopularMechanic.com posted a video in which you can study all the steps when replacing a power steering pump.

Usually, small local mechanic shops will allow you to purchase the power steering pump yourself. This way, you can study the market and find the deal for your budget. However, dealerships will certainly refuse to accept this due to safety concerns.

It’s very important to shop around. Online retailers often provide discounts and sales. Also, compare the prices to get the best deal.

The same thing for the labor part. Always look around for auto shops and local mechanic shops and compare the costs of the labor. However, keep in mind to verify the rates as well as the quality of their work.