Exhaust System Replacement Cost in 2026 (Cat-Back, Muffler, Full System)
Exhaust System Replacement Cost in 2026 A full exhaust system replacement costs $1,000 to $3,000+ in 2026 when the catalytic converter is included, while a cat-back system (everything behind the cat) runs $500 to $2,000 and a standalone muffler runs $150 to $600 installed. The catalytic converter is the swing factor: it alone accounts for $550 to $1,900 of the total because it holds platinum, palladium, and rhodium. I replaced the entire exhaust system on a rusted-out 2009 Honda Accord in 2024, down-pipe back. The cat-back portion — pipes, resonator, muffler, and tailpipe — ran $720 installed at a New Jersey muffler shop, and the catalytic converter added another $1,080. The all-in total was $1,800, almost exactly the midpoint of the range I had estimated going in. Use our Exhaust Repair Cost Calculator(/auto/exhaust-repair-cost-calculator) to price a job by repair scope, vehicle, and pipe material before you call a shop. This...
How Much Does Exhaust Repair Cost in 2026? (Muffler, Cat, Full System)
How Much Does Exhaust Repair Cost in 2026? Exhaust repair costs $100 to $3,500 in 2026 depending on what failed: a simple weld repair runs $100-$300, muffler replacement $200-$600, catalytic converter replacement $1,000-$2,500, and a complete exhaust system $1,500-$3,500 installed. The single most expensive component is the catalytic converter — it contains platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which together drive 60-80% of the cost regardless of vehicle. The huge price spread reflects four distinct repair categories. A pinhole leak in a 5-year-old pipe gets welded for $120 in 30 minutes. A failed catalytic converter on a 2018 Toyota requires a $1,200 part that costs more than the entire rest of the exhaust system combined. Knowing which category you are in changes the conversation completely. Use our Exhaust Repair Cost Calculator(/auto/exhaust-repair-cost-calculator) to estimate by vehicle, component, and repair type. Exhaust repair cost at a glance | Repair Type | Parts | Labor...