How Much Will It Cost to Fix My Transmission?

By Mister Transmission

Transmission repairs can be costly. Determining what you can expect to pay to get your vehicle back on the road depends on these factors

Of all the components that comprise your vehicle’s engine, the transmission is quite possibly the most complex. All mechanical devices need to be serviced and repaired occasionally. If your transmission has failed and is in need of a repair, or if you’ve noticed warning signs that something’s amiss and suspect a repair is required, the first thing that’s likely to pop into your head is, “How much will it cost to fix my transmission?”

Fair question. But there is no single answer. It depends on many factors ranging from the type of transmission your vehicle has (manual or automatic, five-speed or six-speed), to how old or how many kilometres it has driven, to whether or not it is under warranty. It could be that your vehicle’s transmission fluid level is too low or that the fluid viscosity is the wrong type for your car. Or it’s possible your transmission has failed and it must be rebuilt or replaced.

Spotting Potential Problems Early is Key to Keeping the Cost Down

As transmission repairs can prove to be costly, it’s wise to be aware of what the warning signs are before a total breakdown occurs. If you recognize a potential problem before it unfolds, you can potentially save yourself a lot of money, and certainly a lot of stress.

If your car has an automatic transmission or gearbox, some of the most common symptoms to be mindful of include:

  • Delayed engagement. When shifting from “Park” to “Reverse” or “Drive”, there’s a delay before the gear shifts. Thus, even if you rev the engine, the vehicle doesn’t move right away.
  • Gear slippage. Also known as transmission slippage, when the gear changes for seemingly no reason while driving, and when it does, the sound of the engine will change.
  • A burning smell. If your car’s transmission fluid is well beyond its best before date, it won’t smell pleasant (think rotten eggs or rotting fish). Furthermore, if the fluid hasn’t been changed in a long while, is low, or if the transmission fluid is overheating it will begin to give off a noticeable burning smell.
  • Unusual noises. When your car is in park or idling in neutral, if you hear unusual noises like rattling, clanging, or grinding sounds, it’s possible you may need to have worn out parts replaced like the bearings or gear teeth.

If your car has a manual transmission, be wary of these common warning signs:

  • Leaking fluid. Transmission fluid is red in colour (or it should be). If you find a pool of red liquid beneath your car, chances are your transmission is bleeding its vital fluid. Without fluid, the transmission will overheat and eventually seize up.
  • Gear failure. If you notice your car isn’t changing gears smoothly, and the clutch feels wrong or different when you’re driving, the clutch may be dragging, the hydraulic system may be failing, or the clutch may be warped.
  • Inability to change gears. If you can’t change from one gear to another with ease or at all, that’s a clear sign something is very wrong with your transmission. It’s possible the synchronization may be off between the clutch and gearbox.
  • Faulty shift lever. If the shift lever becomes hard to move while switching gears, any number of issues could be behind this problem from having the wrong type of fluid in your transmission to damage done to internal components such as the shift rails or shifting forks.

One of the easiest signs to spot that something might be wrong beneath the hood regardless of the type of vehicle you drive or the transmission it has is on your dashboard: the engine warning indicator. If the engine warning light illuminates, it’s recommended you have a mechanic check to see what the cause is. It might not have anything to do with your transmission, but it’s better to be sure than to be sorry.

Last but not least, get the transmission fluid and filter changed as often as is recommended by your vehicle’s manufacturer. It is the best preventative maintenance you can have performed on your transmission. Doing so will help prevent full-on breakdowns and expensive repairs over time.

Are you experiencing transmission problems? Call the experts at a Mister Transmission near you to book a service appointment, and ask for your free 21-point multi-check inspection.

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Customer Reviews
Professional transmission rebuilt
Max XIAO
Professional transmission rebuilt
Date: March 27, 2023
Website: Google
Mandy's customer service was second...
Vanessa Orchard
Mandy's customer service was second to none. Not only did he make sure the work they could do on our truck got done in a timely manner, but also made arrangements for other services to be completed that are outside their scope. PLUS, he took care of getting our truck there and back! Like Mandy said, we hope we don't need to see him for that truck again, but if we need transmission services for any of our other vehicles, we'll be back! Thank you for your great customer service Mandy!
Date: March 27, 2023
Website: Google
Highly recommended! I wasn't sure...
Akash Kachchhi
Highly recommended! I wasn't sure where to take my car for a transmission repair. Had quotes from other shops, which were all around the same, but no one was offering warranty on their work more than one year even after spending so much money. Only Mr. Mandeep offered me three years warranty, which makes me assured to go forward with the repair. Mr. Wes is really knowledgeable technician and he did a fantastic job, car works like new! Incredible staff that go above and beyond for their customers. Their customer service is great and the car was done on time.
Date: March 27, 2023
Website: Google
Nav and his crew are...
Darrell Govereau
Nav and his crew are always there for me. Give them a call for exceptional service! Not only transmissions!
Date: March 26, 2023
Website: Google
Excellent customer service!
Rob Harris
Excellent customer service!
Date: March 25, 2023
Website: Google
I took the car in...
Lance Lincoln
I took the car in because I had issues with my transmission, not only did they fix it but they fixed my lower control arm and adjusted my brakes, these are problems that were missed on the safety, Dan also dealt with my warranty company as well as made sure I had the financing to get my car back with no out of pocket funds, they worked late making sure I had the car on the day they said, thank you Dan and Bob for all your hard work.
Date: March 24, 2023
Website: Google
Great job on my transmission...
Alessandro Chiaravallo
Great job on my transmission and awesome customer's service... Thanks guys!
Date: March 24, 2023
Website: Google
very good and professional. I...
Tochukwu Ezeanochie
very good and professional. I will recommend them for everyone.
Date: March 24, 2023
Website: Google
Excellent service! Wes was professional,...
Lori Buckle
Excellent service! Wes was professional, considerate and easy to deal with. Would definitely recommend! A++++
Date: March 23, 2023
Website: Google
Great people, great service, you...
Mircea Manolescu
Great people, great service, you know they will take good care of your car, no matter the problem it has.
Date: March 22, 2023
Website: Google
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