Why Shock and Strut Replacement Costs Thousands of Dollars . Andrei here at Main Street Auto EV in Downtown Walnut Creek. We explain why replacing shocks and struts in your car can cost thousands of dollars. Using a Toyota Prius as an example, we show how much disassembly is required to access these components. We discuss why shocks and struts typically need replacement at 80,000-90,000 miles, why reusing old parts isn't recommended, and the critical safety implications of worn shocks and struts