2012 Rav4 V6 alternator replacement cost

[road_rascal]

The alternator went kaput last week at 185,000 miles and had the car towed to a local shop that I've been going to for the last 20+ years. I don't think I've could have done this myself as the radiator needed to be moved/removed and the AC system evacuated and recharged. This was the first real mechanical breakdown I've had with this car, so I can't really complain. I'm hoping to take the Rav to 300,000.

 

[TheOilWizard]

$150 /hour actually doesn't seem bad. I want to say our dealerships are around $200 /hour.

 

[Kira]

Is the radiator/AC procedure needed for the 4?

 

[97prizm]

A reman alternator is $328 now? Seems steep. Have you looked at rock automotive or one of the other sites to find a new alternator and the price?

 

[JTK]

A reman alternator is $328 now? Seems steep. Have you looked at rock automotive or one of the other sites to find a new alternator and the price?

That's with their parts mark-up I'm sure. Actual cost was probably half that.

 

[GMBoy]

They did you no favors - Little high on labor - all data says 3.3hrs and their warranty is terrible when most shops are 2yr/24k miles or more. The price of the alternator is high as well. My cost on an AZ REMAN is $205 and brand new is $280. My charge with my markup on the NEW alternator would be about $305!

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Part number 11326, matches up to a cheap $150 reman that they charged you twice as much for

The could've at least used a Denso reman.

Honestly, with Toyota's transverse V6 designs, it wouldn't surprise me if you needed to recharge the AC to replace an alternator.

Here's what it looks like under the hood:

 

[joekingcorvette]

Might be a little high on the cost but if it's done right the first time you are golden. 185,000 before any major repairs is great.

 

[atikovi]

With those prices I hope you got some lube, and I don't mean for the oil change.

 

[burbguy82]

looks like a pain to change.

 

[SC Maintenance]

Part number 11326, matches up to a cheap $150 reman that they charged you twice as much for

The could've at least used a Denso reman.

Honestly, with Toyota's transverse V6 designs, it wouldn't surprise me if you needed to recharge the AC to replace an alternator.

Here's what it looks like under the hood:

I watched that vid, and they didn't need to evac the AC - just move a couple lines.

Based purely on the video - remove the battery, remove the top of the rad support, remove some brackets - remove the belt - reverse. Really doesn't look all that bad to me. Easy to say from the armchair

Having said that, As @GMBoy said book is 3.3 hours - which seems reasonable. Worst case is you paid for 1.2 hours extra.

 

[road_rascal]

A reman alternator is $328 now? Seems steep. Have you looked at rock automotive or one of the other sites to find a new alternator and the price?

A Toyota OEM was about $385.

 

[road_rascal]

Is the radiator/AC procedure needed for the 4?

For the V6 i think so according to Rav4 World posts. I don't think so for the 4 cylinder.

 

[Hall]

Have you looked at rock automotive or one of the other sites to find a new alternator and the price?

How does that help ? OP said they can't DIY this repair.

 

[IveBeenRued]

I did an alternator and belt swap for a friend on a 2011 RAV4 with the 3.5L V6. It was about half an hour. No special tools needed and no AC evac/recharge was required. It was tight but doable.

 

[TheLastWord]

The alternator went kaput last week at 185,000 miles and had the car towed to a local shop that I've been going to for the last 20+ years. I don't think I've could have done this myself as the radiator needed to be moved/removed and the AC system evacuated and recharged. This was the first real mechanical breakdown I've had with this car, so I can't really complain. I'm hoping to take the Rav to 300,000.View attachment 219362

Looks like you got hosed. I watched 3 U Tube videos for that car/engine and none removed the radiator or did AC work. 2 removed the upper radiator support only. Denso remanufactured on Amazon for $250.

 

[TheLastWord]

I did an alternator and belt swap for a friend on a 2011 RAV4 with the 3.5L V6. It was about half an hour. No special tools needed and no AC evac/recharge was required. It was tight but doable.

^^ What he said.

 

[atikovi]

The alternator went kaput last week at 185,000 miles and had the car towed to a local shop

Why towed? Car will drive over an hour with a bad alternator.

 

[mjk1967]

Was it a reman Denso ?
I had one put in a few years ago in a 2011 Avalon.

 

[Nick1994]

Why towed? Car will drive over an hour with a bad alternator.

Sure is interesting charging a battery on the side of the road. Plug it into a tree, maybe a stop sign?

And taking an Uber home to get the battery charger