Transmission · important priority
Shifter Cable Replacement Cost & Pricing
Replace the transmission gear selector cable that connects the shift lever to the transmission. A worn or broken cable causes the gear indicator to be out of sync, difficulty selecting certain gears, or complete loss of gear selection.
Typical Shifter Cable Replacement cost
$160–$580, with an average estimate of $320 before vehicle-specific adjustments.
What to expect
Difficulty: easy. Typical labor time: 1–3 hours.
Mechanic's tip
A common symptom is the shifter moving freely but the transmission not matching — stuck in Drive while the indicator shows Park, or vice versa. The cable end bushing (a $5 plastic clip) fails separately from the cable itself and is worth checking first since it's a fraction of the cost. Routing the new cable correctly and setting the adjustment is critical — an improperly adjusted cable causes missed gears or harsh engagement.