For the last 50 years, motorized windows have changed the way we see vehicles. Once a luxury, motorized windows today are more of an expected capability in cars today.

With over 90% of vehicles on the road utilizing motorized windows, it is understandable that more and more people have to deal with window motor repair or replacement. 

The average cost of a window motor replacement is $275. However, it can be as low as $250 and as much as $699. The factors that can affect the cost include 

• Number of windows you are repairing, 
• What type of windows do you have
• What kind of window assemblies you are replacing your old ones with. 

The price of window repair kits for a single-window starts at $77. Many kits come with parts for multiple windows, so you can expect to save money by replacing up to 4 windows at a time. 

The price of labor for a window assembly will be around $200 to $375, as it can take up to 3 hours to complete the job. 

Estimated Cost to Replace Standard Window Motor

If your vehicle has a combination regulator and window motor, the parts cost usually goes up because there are fewer (if any) aftermarket options available.

Most of the time, you will have to order this part from a dealership which automatically inflates the price. 

This may not be the case with very common vehicles, such as some Honda Accords, which have a combination regulator and motor which can be purchased for $50-$110.

Factors That Affect the Cost to Replace a Window Motor

Other factors that can make replacing your window motor more or less expensive include your geographic location, where you take your vehicle to have the work done, and the type of vehicle that you have.

While the first two factors are somewhat related, the third has more to do with how much labor will be required as well as how much the replacement part costs. 

Window Motor Replacement Sample Cost

Since replacing a window motor usually takes anywhere from 1.5 – 3 hours, you could be looking at significant savings on labor charges. Depending on how much the shop charges for labor, you could be able to find a better deal by having a small, local garage do the work versus a chain or dealership.

Most mechanics charge between $80 – $100 per hour, with dealerships charging much more. That means for a three hour job, you could be looking at an additional $200 or more for labor at a dealership that charges $150 per hour. 

Geographic location is another factor that typically impacts the costs for auto repairs. For example, California and Wyoming are the most expensive states in the U.S. for automotive service.

On the other hand, Michigan, Indiana, and Ohio are the three least expensive, according to a USA Today survey.

The type of vehicle also impacts the price to replace the window motor. Both the parts and labor are affected by the vehicle and how complicated the repair will be.

For example, the cost to replace a window motor in a Honda Accord would typically be less than half of the cost to do the same repair in a luxury vehicle like a Lexus. 

Cost Estimate to Replace Window Motor 

Cost to Replace Your Own Window Motor

If you have the know-how you may be able to do the work yourself to replace your window motor. In this case, you would save on the labor cost and only have to purchase the motor itself and any other parts or tools that you need for the job. 

If you decide to go the DIY route, it would be a good idea to check a service manual for your vehicle’s make, model, and year to see if there’s any vehicle-specific information that you need to know for disassembling or reassembling the doors. 

Take care when disassembling the door to have someone else hold the window glass, as it may fall suddenly and break as you loosen and remove the window mounting bolts. 

If you replace the window motor yourself and don’t need any other replacement parts, you should expect to only pay for the cost of the motor itself, which may be anywhere between $40 and $150+.

You also shouldn’t need any specialized tools for the project; just a socket and a screwdriver should be sufficient. 

If your windows are operational, but the “auto” feature has stopped working, there is something else you can try yourself before taking your vehicle to the shop. Resetting your power windows may solve the issue.

This may be the problem if you’ve recently changed your battery or disconnected it for some reason. However, if you have a very old vehicle, this is probably not the issue. 

To reset your power window control module, follow these steps:

1. Turn the key to the accessory position.
2. Ensure your windows are shut completely. 
3. Roll your window down all the way and continue to hold the “auto” button for 10 seconds. 
4. Roll the window back up and continue to hold the “auto” button in the “up” position for another 10 seconds. 
5. Test the fix by pressing the “auto” button as you would normally to automatically roll your window up or down. 

If this doesn’t resolve the problem, you may need to take your vehicle to have it checked out at a local auto shop. 

What Makes Your Powered windows work?

The internal mechanisms in the door panels are complex. But once you know what each item is, you can better understand the process of replacing the window motor assembly.

The main piece of the assembly is the window regulator, which is mounted to the interior panel. 

There is a horizontal bar at the top of the panel that keeps the glass straight and in the tracks. This is attached to the glass. 

Then there is the arm that does the “heavy lifting.” It takes the rotational motion of the motor and transfers it into the movement that goes up or down.

Finally, the window regulator has a built-in sensor that keeps the motor moving. At the same time, the glass goes up or down with automated one-touch control. The sensor tells the motor when to stop, preventing it from damaging anything.

Signs your window assembly is failing

When your window doesn’t work, it is safe to say there is an issue with the window, but it could be a fuse, switch, wiring, or the window motor. The only way to determine what the problem really is is to troubleshoot first.

While these are simple things to do, it does get very technical. Also, not everyone will feel comfortable pulling the interior panel off a vehicle. If this is the case, it may be best to take your car to a shop. 

How to Troubleshoot Problems with your window

If you plan to fix your window motor yourself, you will need to do it first to make sure the problem is, in fact, your window motor assembly and not just a switch. Always check your fuses first! 

Step by step

Diagnosing the power window: 

• Check your fuses first
• Take the interior panel off 
  • Unscrew the door screws
  • Take screws out
  • Pop plastic clips
  • Lift up and to the right
  • Pull off the plastic lining (it will be glued)
• Make sure the Key is in the vehicle, so there is power running
• Use your test light to test the switch by putting the probe into the switch. It will light up. 
• If power is getting to the switch, your window switch is good, so it is a motor issue. 

Things to consider

Sometimes your master switch will work when one of your door switches does not or vice versa. This can signify that it is a switch issue, but it doesn’t rule out a motor problem.

Always check your switches with a test light. A test light is a sensor that will light up when touching the internal part of a switch getting power. There is no power if it does not light up, meaning the issue is with the switch, not the motor. 

Test the door switch. If it works when the master switch does not, it is not the motor. 

If this is still not working, then it is the motor. 

Remove the interior panel. You can use a test light to check the wires and internal switches to ensure that the parts are getting power. You must rule out electrical issues before you can determine if the problem is the motor. 

The trick is to rule out all other options before deciding on the window motor assembly issue. The good news is that regardless of what you need to replace, you will always have to remove the inside paneling in the door to replace the switches or the window motor assembly. 

How to replace your window assembly

How to pull the window regulator out of the door

1. Remove the panel
   1. Take screws out
   2. Pop plastic clips
   3. Lift up and to the right
2. You will see electrical attachment/ remove or disconnect these
3. Pull the vinyl off; it will be glued, so you will have to reglue it; you will need to pull it off with glue
4. Remove the 2 bolts holding the glass to the regulator. 
5. Remove the weather stripping from the window
6. Pull the glass out through the top
7. Unbolt the assembly from the top, bottom, and motor in the window. 
8. Once it is all separated, you can pull it out along with the motor
9. Detach the connectors between the motor and the door. 

How to Replace the window regulator assembly and motor

1. Once you get the old assembly out of the door, you reinstall the new parts
   1. Start by connecting the motor to the connector
   2. Then attach the new arm and regulator to the door panel, 
   3. Finally, reattach the glass to the new assembly. 
2. Check that the new motor works properly. 
3. Reattach the weatherstripping. 
4. Then you will have to reattach the plastic lining with silicone glue. 
5. Replace the door panel using the plastic clips
6. Screw the door panel back into place. 

And you have successfully replaced your window regulator assembly! 

Cost for Window off Track

Sometimes if there is an issue with your vehicle window, it can result from the regulator, but it can also simply be the switch or fuse. One of the most common results of these issues is the window glass popping off the track. 

When you take your vehicle into the shop for a repair, they will troubleshoot the cause of the problem and fix the issue quickly. The cost of getting the glass put back on the track could be a little as $70 if the mechanic did not have to replace any part in the window assembly. 

The average cost of replacing fuses or switches ranges from $89 to $150. The mechanic will still have to go through the time-consuming opening of the internal door panel to get to the switches.

However, switches and an hour of labor will be much less expensive than paying for a new window regulator assembly. 

Prices of Window Motor Kits

The prices for window regulator assembly kits vary depending on parts, performance, and quality. You can also find kits for 2 or 4 door replacement, so you can upgrade your window parts all at once.

This can save you money in the long run as many vehicles will wear out parts simultaneously. 

The front driver-side window will often wear out first, with the other three not too far behind. 

All models in the price are Dorman brand and demonstrate the prices as of September 2021. These prices are subject to change. 

Dorman Window Kits

Related Guides 

• Window Regulator Replacement Cost
• F150 Rear Window Replacement Cost