How much does brake pad replacement (per axle) cost?

Typically $150–$350 at a US independent shop — about $40–$150 in parts and $90–$200 in labor for a mainstream vehicle. Your exact cost depends on your year, make, model, and engine. The free AI Mechanic gives a vehicle-specific estimate.

What makes brake pads replacement cheaper or more expensive?

Front vs rear axle; Pad material (ceramic costs more, lasts longer); Whether rotors need resurfacing or replacing too.

Brake pad replacement (per axle) cost

A brake pads replacement typically costs $150–$350 at a US independent shop for a mainstream vehicle — but your exact cost depends on your year, make, model, and engine.

Parts: $40–$150
Labor: $90–$200
Total: $150–$350

Brake pads are a routine wear item; a squeal or grinding usually means it is time. Replacing pads before they wear into the rotors keeps this a cheap job instead of a rotors-and-pads job.

What affects the price

Front vs rear axle
Pad material (ceramic costs more, lasts longer)
Whether rotors need resurfacing or replacing too

DIY vs. shop

A common first DIY brake job (~1 hr/axle) saving $90–200 in labor.

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Ranges like this are a starting point. Tell the AI Mechanic your year, make, model, and the symptom or OBD2 code — it estimates the cost for your exact vehicle, flags the likely cheap fix before the expensive one, and tells you when a shop is genuinely the right call.

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More repair costs

catalytic converter $900–$2,500 alternator $400–$900 brake rotors $300–$600 timing belt $500–$1,000 spark plugs $150–$400 oxygen sensor $150–$350