With the economy and inflation the way they are right now, car repair costs seem unreal. However, despite their costs, there are some repairs that simply can’t wait. This is true for many high-tech features found on cars today. Vehicle owners must fix these matters as they arise or risk being left with a wrecked or broken down ride.
It can be difficult to estimate the costs of high-tech car features. For instance, an owner of a 2008 Chrysler Aspen might spend between $227 and $249 for a brake pad replacement nearby. In doing so, they ensure their SUV stops on a dime when it matters most, avoiding accidents and injuries. And though, two hundred bucks is a lot of money these days, that’s probably nothing compared to what you’ll have to spend on busted headlights, dents, broken windshields, and more.
Paying for the best extended car warranty might be helpful in keeping car repair costs low. The company you select will take care of the legwork, finding reputable shops to work on your vehicle. Then, upon using them for your maintenance, repair, or other needs, you’ll enjoy reduced/no costs.
Let’s take a look at some of the costs involved in fixing some common high-tech features.
Camera
Once you begin driving with a backup camera, you may come to rely on it a little more than you should. And why wouldn’t you? The driver-assist feature makes reversing and parking a cinch. But, just like any other part of a vehicle, this high-tech feature can malfunction over time.
If that happens to your car, take the car to a mechanic to get it diagnosed. Then, if the camera needs to be replaced, it will run you somewhere in the neighborhood of $268 to $282. That’s the average shop price of the repair, including parts and labor.
However, if you’re a hands-on owner when it comes to car maintenance and repairs, it may be possible to save yourself some money. All you have to do is replace the park assist camera on your own, which shouldn’t be all that challenging. And that will eliminate a labor charge of between $53 and $67 from the picture.
Infotainment System[VMV1]
Today’s vehicles come with top-of-the-line infotainment systems. If you have one, what you can do with it may vary from what other people can do in their cars. However, you’ll probably be able to change radio settings, make navigation adjustments, and more with your infotainment system from the touchscreen. But what if the high-tech display in your car turns black or blue and is unresponsive?
In such cases, it’s best to take your car to a mechanic to get the issue diagnosed. A faulty wiring harness, blown fuse, or bad relay could be to blame. The problem could also be software-related. A mechanic or dealer may need to update or reboot the pickup’s software when that happens. Because there are so many different things that can go wrong with an infotainment system, it’s impossible to give you an exact cost on this high-tech car feature repair.
However, an electrical problem could be to blame. If that’s what’s wrong with your ride, a mechanic can get it fixed up in a jiffy. The professional might have done one of the following:
- Fuse replacement: $110 to $140
- Starter repair/replacement: $290 to $995
- Battery replacement: $220 to $270
- Battery cable replacement: $125 to $400
Power Windows
Power windows may not seem all that high-tech, but if you really think about it, it wasn’t all that long ago when most people were rolling down car windows by hand. Perhaps you have a memory of that vehicle your mom used to drive, that clunker with the missing window roller handles.
Most of today’s vehicles have power windows and don’t be surprised if these windows stop working at some point. These models have motors that commonly fail in the front and rear doors.
As such, if a window won’t go up or down, you may need a window motor replacement. According to RepairPal, that job will run you between $224 and $398. However, people will have to have the window regulator assembly replaced altogether in some instances. If that’s what is required for your car, you should expect to spend somewhere between $268 and $409.
Leaking Moonroof or Sunroof
With a moonroof or sunroof in their vehicle, people get a great view of the sky. A moonroof also comes in handy for letting in some fresh air with the quick push of a button. But what if this high-tech feature begins to leak? Leaving it as-is won’t do because the moisture could cause mold to grow inside your car.
If your moonroof is leaking, a drain tube issue might exist. The cost to fix it will vary, depending on the actual problem. You should expect to spend between $88 and $111 for the diagnosis.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, car repair prices vary regardless of whether the components are high-tech or not. So, the amount you have to spend on your ride when something goes wrong won’t always be the same.
On one occasion, you might only have to dish out less than a hundred bucks for a service fee. Meanwhile, the next time you head to a shop, a repair could cost you two to three hundred dollars or more. Hopefully, you are now prepared to deal with scenarios that can affect your budget as they come.
