5 Common Car Problems and What They Cost to Fix

4. Malfunctioning mass air flow sensor:

This sensor measures the amount of air supplied to the engine, which determines how much fuel should be delivered. When it malfunctions, it can result in a loss of power to the car, surges during acceleration and a decrease in fuel economy. It costs around $375 to fix.

5. Misfiring spark plugs:

Spark plugs are small but essential, since they make the car go by igniting the compressed fuel in an internal combustion engine. Misfiring spark plugs can affect engine power and fuel economy and can also damage the catalytic converter. You can replace spark plugs yourself for around $10 or pay $300 for a technician to do it.

CarMD says the total average repair cost in the U.S. is $305.56, including $202.28 for parts and $103.27 for labor.

The most expensive cars to repair? Hybrids. They remain rare enough that their parts are pricier and fewer technicians are trained to fix them.

The report is based on data from 170,000 vehicle repairs made between 1996 and 2010. The data came from vehicle owners and technicians who downloaded information to CarMD.

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