How Much Does A Tire Pressure Sensor Cost? (2022 Pricing)

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Updated March 22, 2024

Are you in need of replacing a tire sensor? In this guide you’ll learn:

  • How much does a tire sensor cost on average
  • Where should I go for a tire sensor
  • How to avoid getting ripped off when buying a tire sensor
  • And much more!

Let’s get into it!

how much do tire sensors cost

Table of Contents

How Much Does A Tire Sensor Cost On Average?

The average cost of tire pressure sensor replacement is approximately $85-$225. While this range might seem relatively broad, it is important to consider the general fluctuation in cost between the parts offered for one model of vehicle, and the next. Hourly shop labor rates often differ by region as well, with some being inherently higher than others.

The low end of this price spectrum is largely reserved for the replacement of a TPMS sensor on standard domestic or common compact cars. These vehicles tend to be economically priced, and in most cases, so do their parts. Meanwhile higher sensor replacement costs largely apply to work on luxury or performance cars, while using original equipment or dealership parts.

What are the costs of labor?

Most shops charge approximately one hour of labor time to install and relearn a new tire pressure sensor. This amount of time is required to break down and partially dismount a tire, in order to access the sensor itself. Knowing this, I would expect to incur labor costs of around $35-$100 for the replacement of a faulty TPMS sensor.

What are the costs of parts?

Generally speaking, I would expect to pay somewhere between $50 and $150 dollars for a replacement TPMS sensor, not counting the labor associated with installation. While this is a relative average, consumers might also come across replacement sensors priced at higher or lower values than this range.

When Should You Get A Tire Sensor?

A vehicle’s tire pressure monitoring system utilizes tire pressure sensors at each individual wheel-end location These TPMS sensors are engineered to record the air pressure within any tire to which they are affixed. These readings are then directed to a car’s computer, where they are analyzed for irregularities.

If the TPMS system registers an individual tire pressure that is below a certain threshold, a vehicle’s TPMS warning light will be illuminated upon the instrument cluster. This notifies a driver that their vehicle has a low tire, thereby allowing them sufficient time to determine their next move before they are left stranded with a completely flat tire.

While TPMS sensors tend to be relatively long lived, they do have an anticipated service life of sorts. This is due to the fact that each TPMS sensor is powered by a small internal battery, which allows them to communicate wirelessly with a vehicle’s computer or onboard monitor system. Like any battery, these small power packs are subject to discharge over time.

In most cases, the failure of one or more of a vehicle’s low tire pressure sensors to communicate will be indicated by the presence of a persistent TPMS warning light. This warning will continue to register, even if all tires are inflated properly, and will often blink continuously. Although further diagnosis will be required, sensor replacement is typically required.

It is also worth considering the relative age of your vehicle’s tire pressure sensors, whenever you are planning to have a tire replaced. Assuming that all of a car’s TPMS sensors are the same age, I would certainly advise replacing the remaining sensors as well. This prevents inevitable failure from taking place at a less opportune time.

Additionally, TPMS sensor replacement might also be required after striking a pothole, or tweaking a tire’s valve stem when curbing a tire. This is due to the fact that a hard impact can jar a unit’s internal sensor battery, or compromise a sensor’s integrated valve stem assembly. This is especially true if such an impact has resulted in a blowout. 

How Much Does A Tire Sensor Cost At The Dealer Vs Other Places?

Without a doubt, a replacement tire pressure sensor will cost more when purchased from the dealer, than anywhere else. OEM parts are not cheap, and dealers capitalize upon the value of the manufacturer’s name and brand. For this reason, consumers should be prepared to part with their money when making a purchase through the dealership.

In most cases, a single dealership-sourced TPMS sensor will cost somewhere in the neighborhood of $85-$150 dollars. More often than not, this price tends to weigh out toward the higher end of this range, rather than on the more economical side.

Tire Sensor Cost At Autozone

Autozone, like many retail chain parts houses, carries a broad range of TPMS sensors, to suit the needs of most any motorist. Perhaps even better, is the fact that the company offers full sets of TPMS sensors for approximately the same price as a single sensor from the dealer. Most complete sensor sets can be purchased for an average cost of $120-$150, saving you a wad of money.

Tire Sensor Cost At Discount Tire

Discount Tire has become a “go-to” for many in search of all things tire-related in nature. Luckily, aside from tires, the company also stocks a wide array of tire pressure monitoring sensors. These sensors are moderately priced by industry standards, retailing for an average cost of $50-$100 per sensor. These sensors can be purchased in-store, or via the company’s website.

Tire Sensor Cost At Walmart

Walmart carries and markets numerous tire pressure monitoring sensors, all of which tend to be extremely economically priced. The average cost of a single TPMS sensor from Walmart is approximately $10-$25, while full sets of TPMS sensors cost $50-$120. However, it is worth mentioning that most of the company’s sensors must be ordered online, and shipped to the store.

Where Should You Go For A Tire Sensor To Get The Best Price?

It is really difficult to argue with the price at which Walmart markets most of its TPMS sensors. In fact, a consumer could easily order 2-3 complete sets of tire pressure sensors for their vehicle, for approximately the same price as they would pay for a single sensor at the dealer.

Additionally, the retail giant offers a significant number of sensors for sale on its website, making it quite likely that they will have a particular product to fit your specific vehicle. These sensors can then be shipped to the nearest Walmart location for no additional cost, where they can be picked up.

Yet another advantage to ordering a TPMS sensor through Walmart, is the fact that the vast majority of Walmart Supercenters feature on-site automotive service centers, which offer tire service at a somewhat discounted price when compared to other tire shops. This allows you to save additional money in the long run, and take care of all of your tire care needs on the spot.

How To Avoid Getting Ripped Off When Buying A Tire Sensor?

Luckily, it is relatively difficult to get ripped off when purchasing a tire pressure sensor. This is due to the fact that the installation of a new sensor will either cure the issue at hand, or it will not. This should be evident by the status of your vehicle’s TPMS light. 

In most every case, a vehicle must undergo a TPMS relearn after sensor replacement has concluded. This is done in a handful of different ways, and largely depends upon the make and model of the vehicle that is being worked on. Before leaving a tire shop, ensure that this relearn procedure has been completed in its entirety and that the vehicle’s TPMS warning light is off.

Certain OEMs require that a vehicle be driven for a certain period of time, to ensure that a designated wheel speed has been reached before a vehicle’s TPMS light will go out. If this is required by your vehicle’s manufacturer, request that the technician doing the work complete a brief test drive, to ensure that this criteria has been met.

While this might seem like overkill, it is extremely important to verify that a vehicle’s TPMS light has gone out after service has been completed. This is due to the fact that this stands as the only way to verify that the repair has been completed correctly and that the replacement sensor is working correctly. 

It is quite easy to damage a tire sensor during tire installation, especially if a technician is not familiar with the proper procedure for mounting tires on TPMS sensor-equipped rims. Unfortunately, if you do not go the extra mile to ensure that your vehicle’s TPMS light is out following service, it will become your word versus the shop’s, once you have left the property.

How To Save Money On A Tire Sensor?

The best way to save money when purchasing a tire pressure sensor is to shop around and compare all available prices. Some shops will offer sensors for certain vehicles at a discounted rate, in a bid to reduce their inventory of seldom-used parts. Though few are available, it also never hurts to search on the internet for any coupons that might be in circulation.

It also pays to keep track of any warranty that relates to previously replaced tire sensors. In most instances, replacement sensors will be covered by a warranty of at least 12 months. Remembering this fact, and having the paperwork on hand to back it up, can save you a chunk of change if your newly purchased tire sensor were to experience premature failure.

The next best way to save money on a tire sensor is to take care of the tire sensors that you currently have. This includes having a vehicle’s tire sensors serviced whenever you have a bad tire, or a set of tires replaced. These kits typically include replacement seals, washers, and valve cores, all of which can fail to corrosion if not adequately serviced, thereby necessitating sensor replacement.

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About The Author

Josh Boyd

Josh Boyd

With 6 ASE Certifications between the passenger car/light truck and medium/heavy truck test series, Josh has 10+ years of experience working with cars and trucks.

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