Top 10 brands with the lowest repair cost to fix a check engine light

The cost of the dreaded check engine light

Everyone is familiar with the dreaded check engine light, and, unfortunately, those who have experienced it are just as familiar with the sinking feeling in the pit of the stomach as they contemplate what it means. There’s obviously something wrong with the car, and hopefully whatever that may be isn’t too terribly serious or expensive to repair.

A check engine light could be caused by any number of potential maladies, some serious and others relatively minor, like a loose fuel cap that could cost nothing at all to resolve. Every year since 2011, CarMD has compiled a Vehicle Health Index that, among other things, calculates the average cost to repair a vehicle with an illuminated check engine light.

We’ve organized the numbers into a slideshow of the top 10 brands with the lowest cost to repair a check engine light. Click on the image above to get started.

10. Buick

Average check-engine light repair cost: $420.73
Model with the lowest average repair cost: 2016 Buick Enclave ($147)

9. Ford

Average check-engine light repair cost: $385.15
Model with the lowest average repair cost: 2016 Ford Mustang ($189)

8. Volkswagen

Average check-engine light repair cost: $379.63
Model with the lowest average repair cost: 2016 Volkswagen Passat ($206)

7. GMC

Average check-engine light repair cost: $375.73
Model with the lowest average repair cost: 2016 GMC Acadia ($140)

6. Chevrolet

Average check-engine light repair cost: $366.54
Model with the lowest average repair cost: 2017 Chevrolet Traverse ($132)

5. Dodge

Average check-engine light repair cost: $349.50
Model with the lowest average repair cost: 2017 Dodge Durango ($127)

4. Chrysler

Average check-engine light repair cost: $337.73
Model with the lowest average repair cost: 2013 Chrysler 200 ($234)

3. Hyundai

Average check-engine light repair cost: $333.01
Model with the lowest average repair cost: 2017 Hyundai Tucson ($79)

2. Mazda

Average check-engine light repair cost: $332.38
Model with the lowest average repair cost: 2012 Mazda3 ($224)

1. Kia

Average check-engine light repair cost: $321.43
Model with the lowest average repair cost: 2017 Kia Soul ($82)