You hit a curb hard, a wheel bearing seized, or the shop says a steering knuckle is cracked or bent. Before you agree to the repair, here is what a new knuckle costs and when a recall pays for it.
So how much does it cost to replace a steering knuckle? With Jeep’s own knuckle and its recall job time for the Grand Cherokee, one front knuckle comes to $723.80, before a wheel alignment.
With an alignment at an Austin repair shop’s price, it comes to $843.80 to $943.80. Owners told NHTSA, the US road safety agency, they paid or were quoted $725 to $2,400.
In this guide I will show you what the carmakers’ knuckles and job times come to and what owners paid. I will also show you the recalls that replace knuckles free, and the signs of a damaged knuckle.
What Jeep’s Knuckle and Job Time Come To
Jeep recalled about 250 2024 Grand Cherokee models because the right front knuckle may not have been fully machined, so the ball joint might not seat and could separate. Dealers replace the knuckle free, and Jeep pays them 2.6 hours.
With Jeep’s right front knuckle for the 2022 and 2023 Grand Cherokee on a dealer parts website, checked October 13, 2026, and $132 an hour, Tekmetric’s US average from June 2026:
So one front knuckle comes to $723.80. The left knuckle is $388.30, and Jeep’s recall kit also came with new links, nuts and bolts, so a shop bill can be higher.
The wheel needs an alignment after a new knuckle. GM’s recall for some 2009 Saturn Vue and Chevrolet Captiva Sport models paid for one with every knuckle replaced.
GM paid 2.1 hours for one knuckle and its tie rod end with the alignment, and 3.2 hours for both sides. Luxury Auto Works, a repair shop in Austin, puts most four wheel alignments there at $120 to $220, about an hour.
So with an alignment at that price, one Jeep front knuckle comes to $843.80 to $943.80.
What Owners Paid
Here is what owners told NHTSA they paid or were quoted, with a link to each complaint:
- A Ford dealer put the cost of replacing both front knuckles of a 2014 Explorer, ruined by seized wheel bearings, at $725, filed in December 2019.
- The rear knuckle on the passenger side of a 2019 Honda Odyssey was replaced for $900 after the rear wheels were found out of alignment, filed in August 2023.
- A Chevrolet dealer said new knuckles for a 2009 Malibu were $1,200 without labor, filed in October 2018.
- A Ford dealer wanted $2,400 to replace the rear knuckles of a 2018 Explorer because of a cracked bushing, filed in January 2024.
So owners paid or were quoted $725 to $2,400, most of them for a pair of knuckles. That is well above one Jeep knuckle worked out, so ask whether one side or both really need it.
Recalls That Replace Knuckles Free
Road salt can make the rear cross axis ball joint of a Ford Explorer corrode and seize, and that can break the rear toe link. Ford recalled 631,176 2013 to 2017 Explorer models for it in 2021.
Its dealers inspect the joint’s knuckle, replace it as needed and fit new rear toe links, free. The recall covers Explorers sold or ever registered in 22 states and Washington, DC, mostly in the Northeast and Midwest.
Ford also recalled 150,723 2011 to 2013 Explorer models from those states that may have this joint as a replacement part. Dealers replace the joint, the knuckle or the toe link as needed, free.
Nissan recalled some 2020 Murano and INFINITI QX60, and 2021 GT-R, INFINITI QX50 and Q50 models whose front knuckle or rear axle housing may be too weak from wrong heat treatment.
Its dealers check the casting stamp and replace the parts free, a visit of up to about 5 hours. Enter your VIN on NHTSA’s recall page before you pay for a knuckle on any of these.
Signs of a Damaged Steering Knuckle
A strong impact, such as hitting a curb, can bend a weak knuckle, and then the steering wheel may sit off center, Nissan explains. In the worst case a damaged knuckle can let the wheel come off.
Owners describe a clunk when turning, a car that pulls, a grinding wheel bearing, and tires that wear unevenly because the wheels cannot be aligned. Have the knuckle checked the same week if you notice any of them.
Steering Knuckle Questions You Might Have
How much does it cost to replace a steering knuckle?
With Jeep’s own knuckle and 2.6 hours for the Grand Cherokee, one front knuckle comes to $723.80, or $843.80 to $943.80 with an alignment. Owners paid or were quoted $725 to $2,400.
How much is a steering knuckle?
Jeep’s front knuckles for the 2022 and 2023 Grand Cherokee are $380.60 and $388.30 on a dealer parts website. A Chevrolet dealer put new knuckles for a 2009 Malibu at $1,200 without labor.
How long does it take to replace a steering knuckle?
Jeep pays 2.6 hours for one front knuckle on the 2024 Grand Cherokee. GM paid 2.1 hours for one knuckle and tie rod end with an alignment, and 3.2 hours for both sides.
Do you need an alignment after replacing a steering knuckle?
Yes. GM’s recall included an alignment whenever a knuckle was replaced, and an Austin shop puts most at $120 to $220.
Can you drive with a bad steering knuckle?
Have it checked right away. A damaged knuckle can pull the steering off center, and in the worst case the wheel can separate.
Where These Prices Come From
- Jeep recall 07B (NHTSA 24V-131, April 2024), GM bulletin 08389 (NHTSA 08V-616, November 2008) and Nissan recall R21A4 (NHTSA 21V-402, September 2021), on NHTSA’s website.
- Ford recalls 21V-537 and 21V-746, on NHTSA’s website.
- Part prices, checked October 13, 2026: MoparPartsGiant 68483788AC and 68483789AC. Luxury Auto Works, Wheel Alignment, Austin, Texas, August 28, 2026.
- Tekmetric, Average Auto Repair Labor Rates by State, June 30, 2026, and the owner complaints to NHTSA linked above, read October 13, 2026.
I hope this helps you check for a free recall first, and pay a fair price when the knuckle is yours to fix. If you have any questions, you can email me at costcheckr@gmail.com.
.jpg){kind=link}
