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How Much Does Mass Air Flow Sensor Replacement Cost?

Updated October 2026 By RepairCostLab Editorial Team

Expect to pay $100 to $380 at an independent shop for a typical car, and up to $415 at a dealership. The mass air flow (MAF) sensor tells the engine computer how much air is coming in. When it fails, the engine runs rough and the check engine light comes on. The part is in the air intake and usually takes minutes to replace.

Parts$80–$300
Labor$20–$80
Shop time0.2–0.5 hours
DIY difficultyEasy (1/5)

Estimate your cost

Make Model Vehicle type Where you'll get it fixed Your ZIP code

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Parts –

Labor –

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US average labor rates. Add your ZIP code to adjust for your state.

Ranges cover aftermarket to OEM parts and typical book labor times. How we calculate this · Check your car for open recalls

Mass Air Flow Sensor Replacement cost by vehicle type

Vehicle	Parts	Labor	Total
Compact / economy car e.g. Civic, Corolla, Elantra	$80–$300	$20–$80	$100–$380
Midsize sedan / crossover e.g. Camry, Accord, RAV4, CR-V	$90–$345	$25–$90	$115–$435
Truck / full-size SUV e.g. F-150, Silverado, Tahoe	$105–$390	$25–$90	$130–$480
Luxury / European e.g. BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus	$145–$540	$30–$105	$175–$645

Independent shop, average US labor rates. OEM-brand sensors cost more but avoid the drivability problems some cheap aftermarket sensors cause.

Independent shop vs. dealer vs. chain

Where	Hourly rate	Typical total
Independent shop	$110–$160	$115–$435
Chain (Midas, Firestone…)	$120–$175	$120–$440
Dealership	$160–$230	$125–$470

Shown for a midsize sedan or crossover.

What does it do?

The MAF sensor measures the volume and density of air entering the engine so the computer can inject the right amount of fuel.

Signs you need this repair

Check engine light with codes P0100–P0104, or lean codes P0171 and P0174
Rough idle or stalling
Hesitation or jerking when accelerating
Poor fuel economy
Black smoke from the exhaust (running rich)

Can you do it yourself?

Difficulty: Easy (1/5). Usually two screws and one connector in the intake tube between the air filter and the throttle body.

Doing it yourself saves the labor portion, roughly $20–$80, so you would pay only for parts ($80–$300).

Is it worth fixing?

Yes, but try a proper MAF cleaning first. A working sensor restores drivability and fuel economy.

How to save money

Try cleaning the sensor with dedicated MAF cleaner spray first: a dirty sensor is more common than a dead one.
Check for air leaks in the intake tube after the sensor, which cause the same codes.
Replace a clogged or oiled air filter, which contaminates the sensor.

Questions to ask your mechanic

Did you try cleaning the sensor?
Did you check for intake air leaks after the sensor?
Is the replacement an OEM-brand sensor?

Asking for a written, itemized estimate (parts, labor hours and hourly rate) is your right in most states and makes quotes easy to compare.

Frequently asked questions

Can I clean a MAF sensor?

Yes, with spray made specifically for MAF sensors. Never touch the sensing wires.

Can I drive with a bad MAF sensor?

Usually, but the engine may run poorly and use more fuel, and a rich mixture can damage the catalytic converter over time.

How long does a MAF sensor last?

Often the life of the car, though oiled aftermarket air filters can shorten it.

Related repair costs

Helpful guides

Sources and methodology

Estimates combine typical book labor times, current aftermarket and OEM parts prices, and 2026 US shop labor rates. See exactly how we calculate them.

Found a price that looks wrong for your area? Tell us: we review every correction.