A good repair shop that can diagnose and install a replacement transmission can be hard to find – especially on short notice. We can help you find a shop that does quality transmission diagnostics and installation for a fair price.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

We also include a guide for fair prices for both replacement transmissions and installation labor for the most common transmission models.

How to Save Money:

We try to recommend repair shops more likely to install a remanufactured transmission that you purchase on your own for cost savings. When buying a transmission through a repair shop or dealership, you generally will pay $300 – $800 more.

When buying factory direct, you can save $300 – $800 from what the shop will add as their markup on the transmission. Get a factory direct estimate by text message + email by clicking here.

Questions to ask when calling local repair shops:

Note: Before calling, have your 17-digit VIN# number (from the vehicle dash, door or an insurance card, registration or title) handy.

–Do you install transmissions? Can you quote me a price for installation?
(Check the guide table below for fair labor prices. Labor costs can differ by area.)

–What is your hourly labor rate?
(Typical rates average $75 – $115 per hour)

–Can I have the transmission shipped to your shop for install?
(If you are purchasing directly from a company selling a remanufactured transmission)

Transmission Installation Shop Locator:

Below is a searchable map of repair shops that may install used or remanufactured transmissions at fair labor prices.

Reliable Repair Shop Criteria:

The following are recommended criteria to look for when calling around to find the most fair and reliable local repair shop for transmission installation:

• Has been in business for 2 years or more.
• Has a 4.0 or higher Google Reviews and/or Yelp Reviews rating, with no patterns of 1-star reviews.
• Has a Better Business Bureau “B” or higher rating.
• Is willing to install customer supplied transmissions purchased through reputable suppliers.
• Charges a maximum $95/hour labor rate for initial transmission installation and has a warranty hourly rate that is less than retail for warranty repair work.
• Offers transmission replacement labor using established hourly book times (Mitchell, Alldata, Chilton, Motor, etc).
• Has ability to reflash/reprogram using OEM subscriptions for late model 2006+ vehicles (shop equipped with Snap-On Pass-Through Pro II/III, Drewtech CarDAQ-Plus 2, Drewtech RAP, or similar J2534 device)
• Have a repair shop that does excellent transmission diagnostics and installation and want to be recommended? Visit our For Shops page

Fair Replacement Transmission Cost and Labor by Model

Find your transmission model in the table below for fair prices from reputable suppliers. Also fair labor cost for local installation at a local auto repair shop.

Get a free estimate on a remanufactured transmission factory direct by email.

More Information by Transmission Type

Where to Buy a Used Transmission

Option 1: Buying through a Local Repair Shop

When you go to your local repair shop, they’ll order a used transmission from a local or out-of-state salvage yard, depending on availability.

Pro Tip: If you are having your used transmission installed at a local repair shop, this option is the most recommended way to buy a used transmission.

The major benefit here is that you will typically have some sort of warranty on both the parts and labor through the repair shop if the one they purchased fails.

Option 2: Buying direct through a Salvage Yard

If you are installing a used transmission yourself, the nationwide search engine most commonly used to find a salvage yard transmission by repair shops and insurance companies is www.car-part.com which is connected to almost every salvage yard in the US.

Car-part.com uses the Hollander interchange system for searching the exact used transmission that will interchange with yours.

Pro Tip: Buy From A Salvage Yard That is Within Driving Distance From You When Possible! Always sort by distance and buy in your local area for the matching used transmission to save on the cost of shipping, if the matching unit is available locally. Also, if you have a warranty situation, it is much more difficult to have a warranty claim resolved if you purchase a used transmission from out of state.

Only licensed salvage yards can list auto parts on car-part.com so you can be assured that the companies listed are actual salvage yards.

Option 3: Buying online through a broker or website

Buying a used transmission through a broker / website is not recommended. Most brokers / websites typically use the above www.car-part.com to find you a transmission, then mark up the part by several hundred dollars–charge a brokering fee–and not all online brokers are legitimate or give you the accurate mileage that was on the transmission they are selling. So in the end, you end up paying more for the same thing, at a higher risk of having difficulty if you need a warranty claim.

Pro Tip: Resist the urge to buy a low priced transmission over the Internet that claims low mileage. The risk of a warranty situation is generally not worth any savings of buying a cheap transmission from out of state. You will have little or no recourse if the transmission does not work right. If you prefer to not deal with a salvage yard, buy a used transmission for sale through your local repair shop. Because if you end up having a problem with the transmission (roughly 20-25% chance), buying through your local repair shop will save you the potential headaches of dealing with a third party from out of state who is trying to get a warranty unit from another salvage yard in another state. The repair shop you are buying through typically will already have an established relationship with that salvage yard and will get your situation resolved far easier than through an online broker.

Our Recommendation

We recommend Street Smart Transmission. Their transmissions carry a 3 year / unlimited miles warranty that covers both parts and labor. Their warranty is nationwide and attached to the VIN so it is transferable with ownership if you decide to sell the vehicle. It also covers both parts and labor for the installation of the replacement transmission.

Finding a Shop to Install the Remanufactured Transmission

If your transmission has failed, you’re going to need a skilled mechanic to replace it. You can find a shop using our shop locator map.

For warranty purposes, you need to find a reliable repair shop. That way, if the replacement transmission doesn’t work properly, the warranty will cover it.

Warranty

Each step in the remanufacturing process has to be verified by quality control managers before the build can continue. This guarantees uniform, properly functioning transmissions that will exceed the original manufacturer’s specifications. It also allows for a generous warranty that will protect you from transmission repair costs for up to three years.

• Standard coverage: 3 Years / Unlimited Mileage
• Commercial applications: 18 Months / 100,000 Miles
• Warranty is attached to the VIN number and can be transferred if the vehicle is sold
• Coverage is good at any licensed repair shop, anywhere in the United States
• Pays for parts & labor
• Replacement transmission will be shipped immediately upon receipt of a claim

In addition to the exceptional warranty coverage, every transmission is shipped to any business address for free, and core returns are shipped free as well. Between the build quality and the warranty, a our transmissions are literally better than new.

More Information by Make & Model

Car-X Tire & Auto

(515) 270-0541
3632 Merle Hay Rd
Des Moines, IA 50310

Website: http://www.carx.com/

Midtown Auto Repair

(515) 243-4369
411 Grand Ave
Des Moines, IA 50309

Website: http://www.mdtownauto.com/

Premier Automotive Service

(515) 276-3838
6815 Hickman Rd
Urbandale, IA 50322

Website: https://www.premierautomotiveservice.com/

Our highest priority every work day is total customer satisfaction. Our quality services are carried out by auto experts with the use of concentrated training and the most reliable diagnostic and repair equipment on the market. Premier Auto has been family owned and operated since 2002, providing premium auto repair services in the Des Moines and Greater Urbandale Area day in and day out.

Bill’s Whitewall Tire Center

(515) 288-1132
1317 Walnut St
Des Moines, IA 50309

Website: http://www.billswhitewall.com/

Bill’s Whitewall Tire Center first opened for automotive repairs, tire sales, and wheel sales in 1968. Located at 1317 Walnut St. in Des Moines, IA, we offer a wide range of general automotive repair services to customers from Des Moines, IA, Ankeny, IA, Waukee, IA, and other surrounding areas.

Dale’s Wright Tire & Auto Service

(515) 277-4392
1825 Euclid Ave
Des Moines, IA 50313

Website: http://daleswrighttire.com/

Dale’s Wright Tire & Auto Service, an official NAPA AutoCare Center and TIA-certified tire dealer, has been open as a full-service automotive center for the last 12 years. Located at 1825 Euclid Avenue in Des Moines, IA, we have been providing automotive repair services and tire sales to customers from Des Moines, IA, and all of our surrounding communities including Urbandale, IA and West Des Moines, IA since 2001.

All Pro Servicenter

(515) 453-8439
1121 Railroad Ave
West Des Moines, IA 50265

Website: http://www.allproservicenter.com/

All Pro Servicenter was started in 1991 by purchasing an existing auto repair business in Urbandale, Iowa. The business consisted of 5 bays, with 5 employees. Since then, we have grown to include 6 locations in the Des Moines area with 30 bays, and 28 employees. Our mission in 1991 was to become known for providing the highest quality and best value auto service in the area. Our mission has remained the same throughout the years regardless of our growth. We believe our growth has been a reflection of our commitment to our mission.

Bob’s Transmission LLC

(515) 262-8601
2100 E Ovid Ave,
Des Moines, IA 50313

Sta-Rite Transmission Inc

(515) 266-1437
812 E 30th St
Des Moines, IA 50317

Website: http://www.sta-ritetransmission.com/

Westside Auto Pros

(515) 225-9090
1901 NW 92nd Ct
Des Moines, IA 50325

Website: http://www.westsideautopros.com/

Our talented team can fix everything from engine systems and fuel systems to transmission systems, as well as perform routine maintenance. The specialized training that each of our technicians undergoes enables them to pinpoint the exact issues of specific makes and models, saving you time and money.

Chuck And Larry’s Transmission

(515) 266-7256
1511 E Madison Ave
Des Moines, IA 50313

Website: http://chuckandlarrys.com/

Chuck and Larry’s Transmission has repaired and serviced transmissions for cars and truck fleets in Des Moines since 1976. Our fully certified technicians work on automatic and manual transmissions, as well as clutches, front and rear wheel drives, AWD’s, 4WDs, differentials and transfer case.

Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care

(515) 421-8593
6800 Hickman Rd
Des Moines, IA 50322

Website: http://www.cottmanofdesmoines.com/

When something goes wrong with the transmission on your car, truck, or SUV, you can get the quality transmission services you need by bringing your vehicle to Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care in Des Moines, IA. Our mission will be to finish our work correctly the first time so that you can save time and money. We can help you with transmission rebuilds and replacements.

Transmission Shops in Nearby Areas

Iowa State Licensing Requirements

Iowa does not require transmission shops in Des Moines, IA to qualify for a state license, so there is no state standard for competency among transmission repair services. They require only a registration, for which there is no inspection or testing of ability in transmission repair.

Need a replacement transmission? Get an estimate for replacement transmissions and local installation. Look up your transmission model by vehicle make and model.

What Transmission Do I Have?

Likewise, Iowa has no legal requirement that services for transmission repair in Des Moines, IA first show proof of liability insurance to reimburse you in the event of any damages that might occur during servicing.