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
Hi I had my 1966...
Craig
Hi I had my 1966 Chevelle Malibu SS in at Mister Transmission Sarnia to have the transmission worked on last year. Mike in the back shop worked on my car (pride and joy). He did the repairs that was needed done and a few extra things done without request. The car ran like a dream when I got it back. The cost was lower then they said it would be. I'm very fussy on who works on my car. The owner (manager) was awesome to deal with. Then this week 04 July 2025 I needed a shift cable repaired as I was headed out with my car . I went to the shop and they were over loaded with work. Mike made time to get my car fixed so I could use it on the weekend. They went the extra mile to get my car fixed and again I could not complain about the cost to repair the cable. I fully recommend them and the people that work there are outstanding. A special thanks to Mike who worked on my baby(my car) thanks so much guys. They are my go to shop with my Classic car and all my vehicles.
Date: July 5, 2025
Website: Google
I had a fantastic experience...
Xavier Montenegro
I had a fantastic experience with the whole Mr. Transmission team. Jordan and Jason are fantastic at their jobs, and they are truly willing to be honest and completely transparent with you. I took my 2018 Sierra to them for some transmission work (shocker), and they were quick, and the transmission now works fantastically. There were some small hiccups, the transmission initially acted a little weird, but they were quick to correct that. I had my spark plugs and a few coils swapped over here. One of the coils they got from GM blew up and took a couple of fuses with it. They comped the tow and had it fixed quickly, and were incredibly apologetic about the whole thing. Overall, if you are looking for quality service from a tried and true team, this is the place you want to go.
Date: July 5, 2025
Website: Google
Mandy was extremely helpful in...
Don Brindle
Mandy was extremely helpful in getting out 2009 VW beetle back on the road, we are from out of town and he was very compassionate to our situation and helped at every level, if you are in Cambridge and need help, Mandy is your man!
Date: July 3, 2025
Website: Google
These guys do good work....
Hunter Frederick
These guys do good work. And a fair price. 👍👍
Date: July 3, 2025
Website: Google
Excellent service, and fantastic staff....
KoiLady
Excellent service, and fantastic staff. We’re from BC and travel full-time. Our GMC diesel truck needed a ATF and filter change, and these awesome guys got us in next day. The cost was what they quoted, and we waited while they did the work. We’d absolutely go there again, and recommend them to others.
Date: July 3, 2025
Website: Google
Excellent service, and fantastic staff....
KoiLady
Excellent service, and fantastic staff. We’re from BC and travel full-time. Our GMC diesel truck needed a ATF and filter change, and these awesome guys got us in next day. The cost was what they quoted, and we waited while they did the work. We’d absolutely go there again, and recommend them to others.
Date: July 3, 2025
Website: Google
Amazing customer service from Dan...
Justine Butka
Amazing customer service from Dan and the crew. Took my 2018 Tuscon there with acceleration problems and Dan took the time to investigate and solve the issues even without my vehicle showing any codes. I had previously had 4 visits to other shops without any results to solve this issue and was told because there was no engine code they couldn’t do anything. But, Dan was able to diagnose and solve the problem and in 2 days had my car back on the road. It was a clogged catalytic converter. Thank you for your professionalism and experience.
Date: July 1, 2025
Website: Google
They assisted me with a...
Omid Bashiri
They assisted me with a test drive without any appointment to figure out the problem of my transmission. No other place could identify but this location. Great place to service your vehicle that you can trust
Date: June 29, 2025
Website: Google
Had my truck in for...
Isaac Fitz
Had my truck in for a transmission fluid, filter, diffs fluid and t case and had it back same day running smooth. Even showed up late accidentally and they were still able to complete everything
Date: June 28, 2025
Website: Google
Took my Nissan Rogue in...
Shaina Crawford
Took my Nissan Rogue in for some much needed TLC and I was very pleased with my experience. Very friendly staff, quick and efficient with their work. Would definitely recommend to anyone in need.
Date: June 28, 2025
Website: Google
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