How Much Does It Cost to Fix an AC Compressor

Air conditioning is now standard on most vehicles in the industry today. You may think that because your car is smaller than your home, the AC system in the car is smaller and therefore, less expensive. In fact, the AC system in cars cost about the same as a mini split AC system for a home. One reason for this is that your vehicle’s AC system needs to come on and cool its space from over 100F to under 75F in a handful of minutes. It sometimes has to perform this task a few times a day, depending on your schedule. No home’s AC system is expected to be able to do that. Your car’s AC system has all of the expensive bits, even that sneaky refrigerant gas that's always trying to escape.

One common vehicle repair that stings vehicle owners is a failed AC compressor. This is a repair that might cost over $1,000 to resolve. Here’s everything you need to know about the cost to repair a car’s AC system compressor.

What is a car’s AC compressor and what does it do?

The AC compressor reduces the volume (compresses) of the refrigerant gas that is used to complete the refrigerant cycle in the system. One way to think about the compressor is that it does all the hard work. To do that, it needs energy, which it gets from your engine via a pulley and shaft.

Where is the car’s AC compressor in the car?

The good news about AC compressors is that most of them are in plain view inside the car in the engine bay. The serpentine belt or accessory belt powers the compressor, so it needs to be in a place where the belt can turn the pulley.

What are the symptoms of a failed AC compressor?

No cold air is the most common symptom of a failed AC compressor. However, a check engine light may also illuminate if the clutch or pulley bearing is frozen and the belt that drives the compressor (and other things) is no longer spinning. You may even hear the belt screech. AC that is always on may also be a sign that the AC compressor is broken, or more accurately, its clutch mechanism is malfunctioning.

Why does an AC compressor fail?

Compressors are machines that run hot, making pressure half the year, and then they sit idle, not moving for half the year. That is not a recipe for a happy machine. Add in a dash of road salt and some sand and road debris each time you drive all winter, and it's a miracle the AC compressors ever work.

Kidding aside, the AC compressor is designed to last the life of the car, but they often last less than 10 years. If you have a Honda, be sure to check with your dealer if your particular model and year is covered under an extended AC warranty program before you pay to have a mechanic fix it. There is a large campaign underway at Honda related to failed AC units.

Can I just replace the clutch mechanism of my car’s AC compressor?

A very common failure mode of AC systems in cars is the clutch affixed to the compressor. It turns the compressor on and off as needed and on your demand by using the AC. It would be great if the clutch were simple to replace on its own, but all of the sources we can find say that it is not usually cost effective.

Most of the time, if the clutch fails, you end up replacing the compressor completely. The reason for this is that time is money. The AC compressor and clutch assembly have to both come out to work on the clutch, and then both go back in. The time spent troubleshooting and trying to repair the clutch is not very different from the cost of the part. If you do fix the clutch, you will then be spending money to reinstall an old AC compressor. So shops often won’t make the attempt.

Can I just ignore an AC compressor failure in my car and drive without AC?

Although some new hybrids and EVs have a more modern heat pump design that runs electrically, most AC compressors in most cars are belt driven. The belt is called the “accessory belt” or “serpentine belt,” and it must spin in order for your car to work. If your AC compressor freezes, the belt can't spin freely, and this is a problem.

Although many of us would simply forego AC in an older car to avoid the repair bill, unfortunately, that is not always an option. If the compressor, its bearing, or the clutch mechanism are causing the pulley to be frozen, you must have it fixed. The belt drives other things you need to make the car run safely and smoothly.

How much does replacing a car’s AC compressor cost?

The cost to fix the AC compressor in your car usually runs between $800 and $1,500 for this repair. $1,150 is about the average price to have a car’s AC compressor replaced. However, with inflation rapidly changing the value of the dollar, and shortages of vehicle parts rampant, this could change in the coming year.

If you are lucky and the AC compressor is easy to access, if the part is from an affordable brand, and is available remanufactured or as an aftermarket part, your cost will be lower. If it is hidden under the Fitzer valve and the brand has a European name, expect to pay more.

Read more on the topic of Aftermarket Parts here.

Does a car’s AC compressor require any maintenance?

Like most parts of modern cars, there is no maintenance you can perform to make this key component last longer. AC compressors are designed to last fifteen minutes longer than your warranty, excuse us, we meant to say for the life of your vehicle.

If there is one thing that we could suggest, it is that if your car requires the accessory belt to be replaced or adjusted for any reason, it really helps if the mechanic does that job correctly. A belt that is too tight is never helpful to anything that is run off of it.

Where can I get my car’s AC compressor replaced or repaired?

Your brand’s dealership network can replace the AC compressor in your car. However, these dealerships have large overhead costs and often charge as much as 35% more for the same work as a local garage. If your car is still under warranty, by all means, use the dealer.

However, a local trusted mechanic may be best for this job. An automotive repair chain would be one suggestion, but only if you have used the location before, know the mechanic is experienced, and have reason to trust the location.

Read more on How to Find a Good Mechanic here.

Can I replace my own AC compressor in my car?

No. On a scale with 1 being a cabin air filter change and 5 being a valve job, replacing an AC compressor is a 4 or 5. There are special tools required, a risk of losing the refrigerant gas, and we would not suggest attempting this at home. If you fail to do the job right, the car will not run, and/or you could cost yourself more money.

Read more on the topic of Owning a Car here.