🔧 1500 - Cabin Air Filter Replacement

On your 1500, the cabin air filter (if equipped) sits behind the glove box and filters the air going through the heater/AC. Some 1500s of this generation were built without a cabin filter from the factory, but the HVAC box often has a marked cutout that can be retrofitted with a filter door and filter.

Difficulty Level: Beginner (if equipped) / Advanced (retrofit) | Estimated Time: 0.3–0.7 hours (if equipped) / 1.0–2.0 hours (retrofit)

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Turn the ignition off and remove the key before working near the dash.
• ⚠️ Don’t probe or pull on wiring behind the glove box (airbag and HVAC wiring may be nearby).
• ⚠️ If doing the retrofit cutout, keep plastic chips out of the blower opening and wear eye protection.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required for a normal filter swap; it’s recommended for the retrofit if you’ll be cutting near wiring.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Flashlight
• Trim removal tool
• Phillips screwdriver #2
• Small flat-blade screwdriver
• Shop vacuum
• Utility knife
• Razor scraper

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Cabin air filter - Qty: 1
• Cabin filter retrofit kit (filter access door + filter) - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Empty the glove box so nothing falls out when you drop it down.
• If you plan to do the retrofit, lay a towel on the passenger floor to catch plastic shavings.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Drop the glove box down

• Open the glove box fully.
• Use your hands to gently push the left and right sides of the glove box inward to clear the stops, then let it swing down.
• If your glove box has a damper strap/arm on the right side, use a small flat-blade screwdriver to carefully unclip it. (A damper is a small arm that slows the glove box as it opens.)

Step 2: Check if your 1500 has a cabin filter access door

• Use a flashlight and look behind the dropped glove box at the black HVAC housing.
• Look for a small rectangular cover/door with tabs (this is the cabin filter access door).
• If you see a door: continue to Step 3.
• If you do NOT see a door but you see a molded/outlined rectangle where a door would go: skip to Step 5 (retrofit option).

Step 3: Remove the cabin filter access door (if equipped)

• Use a trim removal tool or small flat-blade screwdriver to press/release the retaining tabs.
• Pull the door straight off and set it aside.
• Tip: Press tabs firmly, don’t pry hard.

Step 4: Replace the cabin air filter (if equipped)

• Slide the old filter straight out.
• Use a shop vacuum to lightly vacuum any loose dust/leaves from the opening.
• Install the new filter with the airflow arrow matching the airflow marking on the housing/door (if marked). If there’s no marking, install it the same direction the old one came out.
• Reinstall the door by snapping it back into place by hand.

Step 5: Retrofit option (only if there is NO factory access door)

• Put on safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• Use a flashlight to find the molded rectangle outline on the HVAC housing where the access door would be.
• Use a utility knife to carefully cut along the outline. Make several light passes instead of one deep cut.
• Use a razor scraper to clean/square the edges so the retrofit door can seal.
• Use a shop vacuum to remove all plastic shavings from the area before installing the filter.
• Install the retrofit door from the kit and slide in the new cabin filter with the airflow arrow matching the kit/housing marking.
• Tip: Keep the blade shallow to avoid damage.

Step 6: Reassemble the glove box

• Reattach the damper strap/arm (if equipped) by hand; use a small flat-blade screwdriver only if needed to guide the clip.
• Push the glove box sides inward again to pass the stops and close it normally.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and run the blower on medium, then high. Listen for any rubbing or ticking (a sign the filter/door isn’t seated).
• Switch HVAC between fresh air and recirculation and confirm airflow feels normal.
• If you did the retrofit, recheck the passenger floor area for leftover plastic chips and vacuum again.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$180 (parts + labor) / $250-$500 (retrofit if offered)

DIY Cost: $20-$60 (parts only) / $40-$120 (retrofit kit)

You Save: $70-$120 (replacement) or more with retrofit

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.3–0.7 hours (replacement) or 1.0–2.0 hours (retrofit).

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🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.