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Radiator Cost


How Much Does a Radiator Cost?


low cost Range: $390-$520
low cost SUV: $480-$850

Related Topics:

Radiator Flush

Replacing a Transmission

Muffler

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A key part of a car's cooling system, a radiator keeps the engine from overheating. HowStuffWorks.com explains that the radiator transfers heat from the liquid coolant to the air blown through by the fan. You will most likely need to replace your radiator if there is a leak in the core.
 
Typical costs:
  • Replacing a radiator costs $390 to $516 for passenger cars; $483 to 854 for SUVs or mini-vans, depending on the type of coolant used and the age, make and model of the vehicle.
What should be included:
  • Quotes on replacing a radiator should include the actual part, fresh coolant, any replacement hoses needed, labor and tax.
Additional costs:
  • Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts generally cost more than after-market or off-brand parts. The New York Attorney General's office doesn't recommend non-OEM parts. When getting quotes, ask the repair shop which kind of part would be used.
Shopping for a radiator:
  • According to the Federal Citizen Information Center, shops that do only diagnostic work and do not sell parts or repairs may be able to objectively tell you if your radiator needs replacing.
  • While amateur mechanics may be able to replace a radiator by themselves at home with little risk of injury or serious damage to the vehicle, Cars.com rates replacing a radiator as a somewhat complex job. If you're not an experienced home mechanic, replacing the radiator might be best left to an expert.
  • You can find a reputable auto repair shop through groups like the National Institute for Auto Service Excellence or the International Automotive Technicians' Network.
  • When it comes to auto repair, labor charges can vary wildly, so get quotes from several shops to find a fair price for a radiator.
Article updated May 2007
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments


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Radiator Rplaced
Amount: $865.00
Posted by: Tim in Buffalo in Buffalo, NY.Posted: January 4th, 2011 07:01PM
Car Make: 2003 BMWCar Model: 540
Auto Shop: RUSSO AUTO
OUCH... They tried to charge me $525.00 for an OEM radiator. It retails over the counter for $429.00 from local BMW shop. I complained about mark up and they dropped the price $75.00. The bill would have been $940. Fast service, had car ready by end of the day without an appointment. Good lesson learned, I will always ask how much the mark up will be on parts before agreeing on the repair.
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radiator removal and replace
Amount: $268.00
Posted by: fireman jim in hazelcret, IL.Posted: January 7th, 2011 03:01PM
Car Make: chev 1500 pick upCar Model: pick up
Auto Shop: home
removed and replaced radiator and hoses. 1hr.30min.268.00 for the person that paid 900.00 next time u need work done on your veh. send me a plane round trip ticketand hotel fee.it will be cheeper
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2007 vw rabbit 2.5L
Amount: $800.00
Posted by: a user in chicago, IL.Posted: February 3rd, 2011 05:02PM
Car Make: VolkswagenCar Model: Rabbit
Auto Shop: Jennings volkswagen dealership
i think same as any foreign dealership over price. But need this car fix soon for work!
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radiator removal and replace
Amount: $185.00
Posted by: a user in san jose, CA.Posted: February 4th, 2011 06:02PM
Car Make: toyotaCar Model: rav4
Auto Shop: Mobile service
I bought radiator from HMH for $135( incl.tax) and call mobile service guy does it for $60.
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replaced radiator and hoses
Amount: $266.00
Posted by: mamachakula in Murphy, NC.Posted: February 16th, 2011 08:02AM
Car Make: toyotaCar Model: Camry
Auto Shop: Pleasant Valley Auto
Replaced radiator, hoses and coolant. Included labor. All within an hour and 1/2. Great service!
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1998 Chrysler Concorde radiator repair
Amount: $600.00
Posted by: jlee815 in Atlanta, GA.Posted: March 22nd, 2011 11:03AM
Car Make: chryslerCar Model: concorde
Auto Shop: pepboys
not happy but paid to get my car back. Radiator =$149.59 + MISC Radiator parts for a total of 207.00 FOR PARTS. 342.60 FOR LABOR. I CAN REPLACE A RADIATOR BUT GETTING TO THE RADIATOR IN THIS CAR IS A pita.
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Radiator and water pump replacement estimate
Amount: $2,230.00
Posted by: Texas Jeff in Texas City, TX.Posted: April 30th, 2011 10:04AM
Car Make: 2001 DodgeCar Model: Dakota
Auto Shop: Clear Lake Dodge
Estimate for replacing radiator and water pump! Told me the timing chain was contaminated and needed to be replaced as well. Pulled the truck out and went to a reputable shop. I'd avoid these folks at all costs! After questioning them about the timing chain, they backpedaled and said it would probably be OK. Ended up spending $1300.
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Radiator Replacement
Amount: $361.00
Posted by: Major Dad in Garden Grove, CA.Posted: June 3rd, 2011 03:06PM
Car Make: 2001 HondaCar Model: Accord VP Sedan
Auto Shop: Pep Boy's
I was able to bargain plus get an extra 10% off.
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radiator replaced
Amount: $400.00
Posted by: i hate mechanics in dallas, TX.Posted: August 24th, 2011 11:08AM
Car Make: 2000 cryslerCar Model: 300m
Auto Shop: dallas tx
Car overheated and took it in. I was quoted for 800. I called around and got otherquotes for new radiator and radiator hose. I found one for 400 and midas then matched that. One minute its 800 then the next its 400. Dont go to midas. new radiator is 120 online and hose is 40. 100/hr labor. Dont believe their first offer. Tell them your going somewhere else and they will usually go down
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Replaced radiator and hoses car had 124000 miles
Amount: $395.00
Posted by: PeteMan in Lakeland, FL.Posted: August 30th, 2011 12:08PM
Car Make: 2001 ToyotaCar Model: Camry CE
Auto Shop: Joyce Auto
Tires plus wanted like 680. Joyce gave me less. I guess I could have saved another 200. I should have done better. But I guess they did a decent job. 1aauto had the part for like 125 and I'm sure I could have found someone to do it through craigslist.
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Slightly high but worth the cost
Amount: $650.00
Posted by: Ivan in Conroe, .Posted: September 16th, 2011 09:09PM
Car Make: MazdaCar Model: Mazdaspeed protege
Auto Shop: Gallo Mazda Dealership
Radiator - 399
Labor 230
Coolant 20
Modified super large radiator on a speial custom mount. Did a super job! A little pricy compare to other shops, but is done at dealership, so I guess this price is ok.
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Busted radiator
Amount: $706.00
Posted by: SusiQ1971 in Daytona, .Posted: September 20th, 2011 01:09AM
Car Make: FORDCar Model: EXPLORER, EDDIE BAUER EDITION
Broke down, then had my SUV towed to local mechanic shop not dealer. They charged me $706.00 for new radiator, hoses, flush, and thermostat. Was that a good price? I don't know anything about engines and what-not. It took less than 3 hrs to fix it and get it back to me. I was relieved about that. I hate being stranded.
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Radiator replacement
Amount: $55.00
Posted by: TexomaGHOST in Denison, TX.Posted: October 9th, 2011 10:10AM
Car Make: 1996Car Model: Ford Explorer
Auto Shop: Self
I bought a used radiator for my explorer. To remove it, took about 5 minutes. 2 clamps for hoses, 2 bolts for the shroud, 2 bolts that hold the radiator on (all bolts are 10 mm I believe)\r\nand 2 transmission lines (5/8 inch wrench worked)\r\nThen I spent 11.99 on antifreeze after flushing the engine and radiator.
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Radiator Replaced F350 2005
Amount: $450.00
Posted by: ckj in Muscle Shoals, AL.Posted: December 6th, 2011 09:12AM
Car Make: FordCar Model: F350
Auto Shop: Muscle Shoals AL
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Replaced radiator, hoses, thermostat and filled with coolant
Amount: $557.00
Posted by: JotoMonks in Chicago, IL.Posted: January 12th, 2012 03:01PM
Car Make: HondaCar Model: civic
Auto Shop: Joe\'s Expert Auto
Steam started coming out of my car, and the temp gauge started rising. I parked the car right away, towed it to Joe\'s the next morning. He replaced the radiator, hoses, thermostat, and filled up the coolant all by 2pm. I probably could\'ve paid less elsewhere, but I know they always do the job right. Labor was $325. The radiator was $120 for the part.
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radiator replaced
Amount: $107.00
Posted by: GLinne in San Antonio, TX.Posted: January 14th, 2012 12:01PM
Car Make: 1998 nissanCar Model: maxima
Auto Shop: self
purchased $443 radiator on amazon for $85 + S/H installed myself in inder 1 hour. DIY it\'s easy.
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Replaced Radiator- not thermostat or hoses
Amount: $522.00
Posted by: a user in Verona, WI.Posted: March 27th, 2012 08:03AM
Car Make: JeepCar Model: Grand Cherokee
Auto Shop: Carstar
It seems a bit high, but I have seen prices higher and some lower. I don't feel like it was crazy high. I was thinking about $450-- oh well what can you do. Car repair in general is not fun at all :-(
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Radiator replaced
Amount: $786.98
Posted by: Tom M in Raleigh, NC.Posted: April 7th, 2012 04:04PM
Car Make: AcuraCar Model: CL
Auto Shop: North Ridge BPI\\AMOCO
We were out-staters traveling through Raleigh, NC when the radiator on our low mileage Acura sprung a leak. Billy\'s service station was close so we went there(we didn\'t have much choice). \r\n\r\nThe costs: \r\nradiator-$248.70 \r\nthermostat -$38.25\r\ngasket - $6.50\r\nantifreeze -$57.10\r\nLabor - $400.50\r\nsupplies $12.27\r\ntax - $23.66\r\n\r\nTotal $786.98 OUTRAGEOUS!\r\n\r\nAgain, the owner\'s name was "Billy" as in "Billy the Kid."
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Radiator & Thermostat replaced
Amount: $540.66
Posted by: Nathalie Jegg in Woodstock, GA.Posted: April 17th, 2012 12:04PM
Car Make: JeepCar Model: Liberty
Auto Shop: Rob's Total Car Car
Broken down like this:

PARTS:
Thermostat 39.95
Radiator (V6 w/ A/C) 249.95
Antifreeze 16.96
Shop Supplies 10.74

LABOR:
Remove & replace radiator (for V6, Auto trans) 127.50
Remove & replace thermostat (for V6) 76.50
TAX: 19.06 TOTAL: $540.66
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New Radiator
Amount: $195.00
Posted by: Steelerockr in Milwaukee, WI.Posted: April 27th, 2012 03:04PM
Car Make: 1995Car Model: Chevy Corsica
Auto Shop: independant mechanic
($105 radiator) and ($80 labor) \r\nNo other repairs done (no coolant flush etc)
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Radiator Replaced
Amount: $790.00
Posted by: a user in Buena Park, CA.Posted: May 2nd, 2012 04:05PM
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Camry (1995)
Auto Shop: Buena Park Toyota Dealer
Unfortunately, I needed it right away on a Saturday so I went to the dealer. Though the radiator cap was less than one year old and I had seen it was still in good shape, they tried to tell me I needed a new one because the old one was corroded and had undergone too much pressure (a leak causes an increase in pressure ?!?!). I was told the replacement radiator was aftermarket yet it still cost $300! Never again!
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