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The cost of the dreaded check engine light
  • The cost of the dreaded check engine light
    • Image Credit: Kia

    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. And for more information on the total cost of ownership for a tool to determine the cheapest new vehicles to own in America.

  • In this photo taken Wednesday, April 26, 2017, shows the front grille of a 2017 Buick Enclave at a GMC Buick dealership in Miami. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)
    • Image Credit: AP

    10. Buick

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

  • This is the Ford logo on the grill of a 2019 Ford Expedition 4x4 at the 2019 Pittsburgh International Auto Show in Pittsburgh Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
    • Image Credit: AP

    9. Ford

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

  • The Volkswagen logo on a Golf GTI catches a reflection of the sun at the Quirk dealership in Manchester, N.H., Wednesday, July 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
    • Image Credit: AP

    8. Volkswagen

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

  • In this Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019, photograph, the company logo shines off the grille of an unsold 2020 Sierra pickup truck at a GMC dealership in Littleton, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
    • Image Credit: AP

    7. GMC

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

  • FILE--In this Sunday, July 28, 2019, file photograph, the company logo shines off the grille of an unsold 2019 Chevrolet Silverado pickup truck at a dealership in Englewood, Littleton, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)
    • Image Credit: AP

    6. Chevrolet

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

  • The Dodge logo is displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
    • Image Credit: AP

    5. Dodge

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

  • In this July 22, 2011 photo, a Chrysler logo is displayed on a Chrysler 300 vehicle at a car dealership in Omaha, Neb. Chrysler Group LLC said its sales rose 20 percent over last July. It was helped by new products such as the Jeep Grand Cherokee, which saw sales jump 76 percent. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik)
    • Image Credit: AP

    4. Chrysler

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

  • In this Friday, Oct. 6, 2017, the company logo shines off the grille of an unsold 2018 Santa Fe sports utility vehicle outside a Hyundai dealership in the south Denver suburb of Littleton, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
    • Image Credit: AP

    3. Hyundai

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

  • A Mazda logo is pictured during the Tokyo Auto Salon in Tokyo on January 12, 2020. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP) (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images)
    • Image Credit: Getty

    2. Mazda

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

  • This is the KIA logo on the grill of a 2020 KIA Telluride on display on a sign at the 2019 Pittsburgh International Auto Show in Pittsburgh Thursday, Feb. 14, 2019. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
    • Image Credit: AP

    1. Kia

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

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