Vehicle’s MAP Sensor Cost [By Make & Model]

A vehicle’s MAP sensor – also known as a manifold absolute pressure sensor – is one of the most important vehicle sensors in relation to the engine. It’s essential to the vehicle’s ability to monitor air pressure, which helps airflow and exhaust to remain in their correct functionality.

At some point in the timespan of owning a vehicle, you may need to replace your vehicle’s MAP sensor to ensure the safety and maintenance of your form of transport. 

On average, the cost to replace a MAP sensor is about $137, where parts make up $96 and labor makes up $42 of that overall cost. This cost estimate is based on national averages, where prices differ based on factors like vehicle location, vehicle make and model, local taxes, and more. 

In this article, we’ll give an overview of the costs associated with replacing a vehicle’s MAP sensor. We’ll compare costs among different vehicle makes and models (and years), as well as the differences in cost for those living in different geographical locations. 

We’ll also look at the lifetime costs associated with replacing this vehicle part, as well as some ways one can save money in the process. Read on to learn more about the cost of replacing a manifold absolute pressure sensor. 

Cost Breakdown for a MAP Sensor Replacement

The cost of replacing a vehicle’s MAP sensor is going to be dependent on what type of vehicle you own. Different models require different part specifications, and this is especially true when it comes to old models vs. newer models.

Further, on average, the cost of labor tends to be less than the cost of parts associated with this job. The cost of auto repairs in Delaware represents figures close to the national average, according to a study reported by CarMD.

In the following table, we’ll compare the average cost of replacing a MAP sensor in different vehicle makes and models over the years. The cost estimates are based on Delaware prices to give an idea of the average national cost.

Cost of Parts vs. Cost of Labor

Factors Affecting the Cost of a MAP Sensor Replacement

On average, the cost of parts tends to be more than the cost of labor when replacing a MAP sensor. This isn’t always true of every vehicle make and model, though.

For some particular models, you may find that the cost of parts takes up almost the entire cost of the job, while labor costs are minimal. On the other hand, the two costs may be more evenly split. 

For example, when we examine the cost of MAP sensor replacement for a 2008 Acura RDX, we can see that the cost of parts is more than 90% of the total cost. On the other hand, labor costs are quite minimal.

But when we look at the cost for a 2020 Acura RDX, we can see that the cost of parts and labor are almost evenly split. 

Type of Engine

There are discrepancies in cost based on the type of engine your vehicle has, too. For some vehicles, like pickup trucks, there are lots of different engines used. This is true of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500.

When we look at the cost of replacing the MAP sensor for a 2008 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, for example, we can see that the cost differs among 5.3 Liter, 4.8 Liter, 4.3 Liter, and 6.0 Liter engines. 

The 5.3 Liter, 8 Cylinder Silverado 1500 MAP sensor replacement cost is around $160, while the cost for the 4.8 Liter, 8 Cylinder Silverado 1500 is about the same.

The cost for the 6.0 Liter, 8 Cylinder Silverado 1500 is also about $160. On the other hand, though, the cost for the 4.3 Liter, 6 Cylinder Silverado 1500 is about $73. 

It would seem that for a less powerful engine (fewer cylinders), the cost of replacing the MAP sensor is lower. 

Vehicle Make, Model, and Age

Further, the type of vehicle you own will affect the cost of repairing and replacing parts. This is pretty common knowledge, but it can be helpful to look at the exact trends in costs based on the type of vehicle. 

According to the data in our comparison table, it’s interesting to note that the cost of replacing a MAP sensor isn’t necessarily more or less expensive depending on the vehicle’s age.

When it comes to car brands like Acura, Jeep, and Chevrolet, it seems that older vehicles require more expensive repairs. Specifically, the Acura RDX MAP sensor replacement cost is much more expensive for an older model than it is for a newer model – hundreds of dollars more. 

Further, the data shows that replacing this part is generally more expensive for luxury cars than for standard car models. This is evident when looking at the costs for BMW models compared to other vehicles. 

Location Where the Replacement Is Done

Of course, one of the biggest factors affecting the cost of parts replacements is one’s location. Auto labor rates differ based on state location and local taxes.

It’s also important to note that some locations have different supply and demand setups when it comes to auto repairs. 

If you live in a town where there is only one auto shop within reach, your prices might be steeper than if you live in a town built on the auto industry. 

Californians, as well as those in Colorado, D.C., Utah, and Connecticut tend to pay the highest auto labor rates, whereas cheaper costs come in states like Ohio, Maine, Wisconsin, and Michigan. 

Lifetime Costs Associated with Replacing a Vehicle’s MAP Sensor

In addition to knowing the general, one-time costs associated with replacing a MAP sensor, it’s also important to understand what the costs might look like long term.

This means breaking down the costs based on how many times a vehicle is likely to have a faulty MAP sensor in its lifetime. Of course, there is no direct answer that applies to all makes and models.

However, we can look at some general criteria that explain how often this part gets replaced on most vehicles. 

Most importantly, you should know that the older a vehicle is, and the more miles it has on it, the more likely it is for a MAP sensor to fail or become faulty. This typically happens around 138,000 miles, and it doesn’t necessarily relate to a vehicle’s age. 

More often than not, it could be due to issues such as a car crash, auto repairs where the engine intake manifold is removed, or even when air filters are changed. These scenarios tend to make the MAP sensor vulnerable to damage. 

Given that the average vehicle has a lifespan between 250,000 and 300,000 miles overall, we can deduce that you likely won’t have to replace a MAP sensor more than twice in the car’s lifespan.

So, if the average cost is about $137, you can expect lifetime costs to be around $274. Of course, these estimates rely on an average.

If you encounter multiple vehicle collisions while owning a vehicle, you may have to replace your MAP sensor more often than this. 

Ways to Save Money When Replacing a MAP Sensor

Although the average price of replacing a MAP sensor doesn’t falter too much around the country, one thing to note is that there are ways to cut costs. 

DIY Replacement

One of the most obvious ways that vehicle owners can cut costs on auto part replacements is by installing the part in a DIY fashion.

Although engine-related repairs and replacements are no easy job, some individuals may be mechanics themselves or have the knowledge to aid them at home. 

If you can manage the job or have a friend who will help you install the MAP sensor for free, you are in luck. Going this route could save you up to a few hundred dollars in some cases. 

Avoid the Dealership

Another way that you can cut costs when replacing a MAP sensor is by avoiding the dealership if you can help it. Dealership auto work prices have a tendency to cost much more than costs at auto body shops, in general. 

This is especially true if you have a luxury car or a more expensive vehicle. Dealership costs for a BMW compared to dealership costs for a Toyota are likely going to be a lot different. 

Conclusion

A vehicle’s MAP sensor is essential to a properly functioning engine. This vehicle part plays into the vehicle’s airflow, and replacing it when necessary is a crucial step in maintaining your car’s health. 

The average cost of replacing a MAP sensor in the US is about $137, where parts cost about $96, and labor costs about $42. This average can vary depending on your location and vehicle type.

You may need to replace a MAP sensor more than once in the time you own a vehicle (about every 138,000 miles), meaning that lifetime costs could be closer to $300, on average. Don’t neglect the sensors related to your vehicle’s engine.