Just How Often Should Alternator Be Replaced?

If you're wondering how often should alternator be replaced, you're probably dealing with a car that's acting a bit moody or won't start at all. Most mechanics will tell you that an alternator typically lasts between 80,000 and 150,000 miles, which for the average driver usually translates to about seven to ten years. However, unlike your oil or your tires, there's no set-in-stone schedule in your owner's manual that says, "Hey, change this exactly at 100k." It's one of those parts that usually works perfectly until it suddenly doesn't. ...

May 5, 2026 · 7 min · Minzer Ulrikke