Despite their dependability, even Toyotas are subject to the whims of the universe. Without regular maintenance, even the pillar of reliability itself, the Toyota Camry, can and will become a useless pile of scrap over time.
With new models, ToyotaCare provides free maintenance for the first two years or 25,000 miles, but after that coverage ends, you’re on your own wondering, “How much does Toyota maintenance cost?”
According to RepairPal, the average annual repair and maintenance costs for a Toyota are $441. Broken down, Toyota maintenance costs look something like this:
| Services | Prices |
|---|---|
| Tires | $460 to $1280 |
| Oil Changes | $25 to $120 |
| Brake Pads | $100 to $300 |
| Alignment | $100 to $210 |
| Headlights | $100 to $200 |
With the above values in mind, setting aside a minimum of $500 per year for your post-ToyotaCare Toyota servicing costs seems prudent.
Toyota Maintenance Basics
While your specific model and unique driving habits will have a hand in determining your maintenance schedule, Toyota does offer the following recommendations based on common usage:
| Interval | Maintenance Items |
|---|---|
| 6 Months/5,000 Miles | Tire Rotation Oil Change Wiper Blade Inspection Brake Pad Inspection Fluid Level Check |
| 12 Months/10,000 Miles | Oil Change Adjust Fluid Levels Brake Inspection |
| 36 Months/30,000 Miles | Rotate Tires Fluid Level Check Replace Cabin Air Filter OIl and Filter Change Engine Air Filter Change Drivetrain, Brakes, Fuel System, Steering, Inspection |
One of the most important maintenance items is oil changes. Many vehicles, including Toyotas, can go anywhere between 7,500 to 10,000 miles without needing an oil change, but your specific model may already be in the 5,000-mile range as seen above.
Changing filters is also really important. Take your oil filter, for example. It’s what keeps small but damaging particles from reaching your engine, which can cause scoring on moving parts and cause other surfaces to wear prematurely.
Other Toyota Maintenance Costs
Aside from the items above, there are plenty of other items you will need to repair or replace the longer you own your Toyota, which are listed below with their average cost:
| Services | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tire Rotation | $20 to $45 |
| Battery | $75 to $200 |
| Air Filter | $45 to $60 |
| Cabin Air Filter | $70 to $100 |
| Brake Fluid Change | $80 to $155 |
| Transmission Fluid Change | $175 to $205 |
Understanding Your Toyota Warranty Coverage
From the factory, your Toyota comes with the following warranty coverage:
Basic Coverage — 36 Months/36,000 Miles
Covers all components in the vehicle.
Powertrain Coverage — 60 Months/60,000 Miles
Covers all engine and driveline components such as the transmission, differential, and driveshaft.
Rust-Through Coverage — 60 Months/Unlimited Miles
Covers corrosion of any sheet metal.
Emission Control Coverage — 36 Months/36,000 Miles - 8 Years/80,000 Miles
Different parts have different coverage levels. Exhaust manifold coverage lasts 36 months/36,000 miles, for example, but the coverage for a catalytic converter lasts for 8 years/80,000 miles.
Restraint Systems Warranty — 60 months/60,000 Miles
Covers defects with airbags or seat belts.
Accessories Warranty — 36 Months/36,000 Miles
If you purchased any Toyota accessories from the dealer when you bought your car, they’re covered.
Hybrid Battery Warranty — 10 Years/150,000 Miles
If you bought a hybrid Toyota, the battery and its associated electric drivetrain parts are covered.
What is not covered by your Toyota warranty, however, is as follows:
- Consumable items such as tires or brake pads
- Weather damage
- Theft
- Mistreatment
- Maintenance items such as oil changes
- Regular use
Additionally, Toyota only covers repairs made at Toyota dealers and other authorized service centers. If you get work done at an unauthorized repair shop, you could be left footing the bill, even if it was a repair that would normally be taken care of by the car’s warranty.
Toyota Extended Warranties
If you want more coverage from Toyota after your basic coverage ends, you can purchase an extended warranty from Toyota. There are three tiers, each with different service lengths and protection levels, which are laid out below:
| Warranty Tier | Coverage Length | Parts Protected |
|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | Up to 6 years or 100,000 miles | The engine and drivetrain components. |
| Gold | 3 years/50,000 miles to 10 years/125,000 miles | Powertrain and other components, such as suspension, fuel system, climate controls, brakes, and electrical system. |
| Platinum | 3 years/50,000 miles to 10 years/125,000 miles | Covers even more parts than Gold, including small parts such as the glove compartment door latch and defroster control cable. |
As for how much you can expect to spend, Toyota extended warranties range anywhere between $1,000 and more than $2,500.
What you have to decide when you're considering a Toyota extended warranty is whether you expect to see that cost back. The bottom line is, if you have repair bills within the warranty time that would equal or exceed the value of the warranty, then it was money well spent.
How to Reduce Toyota Maintenance Costs
Within the first two years or 25,000 miles, you’ll be protected by ToyotaCare. After that, you can do the following to keep your Toyota servicing costs down: 1. Regularly inspect your car 2. Use quality parts 3. Compare shop prices 4. Do your own repairs 5. Drive safely
You can also buy Toyoguard Platinum protection, which extends ToyotaCare coverage for a few more years.
Which Toyota Service Center Is Right for You?
Toyota-specific service centers use original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts, which do the job exactly as Toyota wants it done. You do need to read reviews and make sure prices aren’t exorbitant, though. Go to sites like DealerRater.com to see what people are saying about the service quality and costs.
You can certainly get great service at independent repair shops, too, but your Toyota warranty could be in jeopardy if the shop isn’t certified or uses substandard parts, and it’s those kinds of shops that don’t necessarily use OEM or high-quality parts. Read reviews of shops to see what certifications they have and what people are saying about the quality of your repairs, and talk to your service provider about your coverage specifics.
Toyota Maintenance for High-Mileage Vehicles
Items that can and do fail on higher mileage Toyotas include the following:
| Part | Cost |
|---|---|
| Starter | $300 to $500 |
| Head Gasket | $1,600 to $2,000 |
| Transmission | $300 to $1,500 |
Oil changes and other fluid replacements will also need to be more frequent to prevent further damage. An engine with 100,000 miles on it will have worn parts that may allow oil and other fluids to get in places where they didn’t previously, but the more care you give your Toyota, the more likely it will go another 100,000 miles.
