Dishwasher Repair Cost — What You’ll Actually Pay
The big-picture guide. Most dishwasher repairs land between $130 and $350 — and an outsized share of "broken dishwasher" calls end at a clogged filter, a kinked drain hose, or a detergent problem rather than a failed part. Check the cheap stuff first; the parts list below covers the rest.
National averages for independent repair companies. Service-call/diagnostic fees ($75–$150) are usually applied toward the repair. Costs vary by brand, model, and city.
What causes it — and what each fix costs
Drain problems
Standing water in the bottom — filter, drain hose, air gap, or drain pump.
Not cleaning well
Filter, spray arms, water temperature, or the circulation pump.
Water inlet valve
No fill, slow fill, or overfilling.
Door latch / switch
Won’t start, stops mid-cycle when bumped, door pops open.
Heating element
Dishes wet and cold at cycle end; no sanitize.
Circulation pump / motor
Hums without washing, or grinds. The big mechanical repair.
Leaks
Door gasket, pump seals, hoses, or a cracked tub.
Control panel / board
Dead buttons, blinking lights, no response.
Repair or replace?
Dishwashers are the cheapest major appliance to replace ($400–$700 for solid mid-range), so the repair math is tighter: fix anything under ~$250 without hesitation, think hard about pump or board jobs past year 7. Quiet premium machines (Bosch, Miele) justify bigger repairs.
We'll quote you on hauling it away — or buying it.
Not every dishwasher is worth repairing, and we'd rather tell you that than sell you a repair. If you're replacing it, we'll give you a free quote either way: scrap pickup for a machine that's finished, or a cash offer if it still has life in it. Working units, recent models and premium brands are often worth real money.
Common questions
How long do dishwashers last?
9–12 years typical, with Bosch and Miele frequently running longer. Hard water shortens everything — Arizona owners, that means you: use rinse aid and clean the filter monthly.
Why do my glasses come out cloudy?
In Arizona it’s almost always hard-water film, not a broken machine — a citric-acid cleaner cycle and rinse aid fix it. Etching (permanent cloudiness) comes from TOO much detergent in soft water.
Is it worth repairing a 10-year-old dishwasher?
Only for cheap fixes — a latch, valve, or gasket, yes. A $350 pump on a machine at the end of its design life, no.
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