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CostHelper.com > Cars  > Radiator

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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Recent Posts
Amount: $780.00 GMC Denali Radiator replacement
Posted by: sjh2k in newport news, VA.Purchased: May, 2007
Car Make: GMCCar Model: Denali
Auto Shop: B&L Auto
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Amount: $1,066.83 Over $1,000
Posted by: Dan in Charlotte, NC.Purchased: May, 2007
Car Make: NewmarCar Model: Diesel Motor Home
Auto Shop: Bullock's Radiator
When you feel bad about the three or four hundred you have to pay for a radiator in your car, remember it can always be worse :o)
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Amount: $812.00 Acura Integra GS-R OEM Radiator Replacement
Posted by: c.alegre@gmail.com in Oakland, CA.Purchased: November, 2007
Car Make: AcuraCar Model: Integra GS-R 1999
Auto Shop: Oakland Acura Dealer
Plus side, they had parts in the same day and finished same day.
Negative side, didn't shop around and spent way too much.
Dealer of course used OEM parts, called to make sure everything was ok. took off $70 as a courtesy, original bill was for $882. can we say "OUCH"
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Amount: $812.00 Radiator Replacement
Posted by: Rebecca in Greenville NC in Greenville, NC.Purchased: November, 2007
Car Make: InfinitiCar Model: Q45 sedan
Auto Shop: Plaza Auto Shop
Great service, finished work before promised. The staff is friendly and straight forward. SO much better than Colony Tire!
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Amount: $350.00 Haggled for best price
Posted by: Lilly in Lakeland Florida in Lakeland, FL.Purchased: April, 2008
Car Make: AcuraCar Model: 3.2 TL
Auto Shop: Watson's Radiator Repair
I was originally quoted $675 at a Goodyear Service Center. That price included a new radiator, thermostat, and labor. I told the manager I was not happy with the price and he immediately went back to the office and had reduced the price to $445. I told him that I was going to get a second opinion and took my car to a Radiator repair shop down the road. I ended up haggling back and forth between the two places and finally got the parts and labor for $350! Don't ever settle for the first price you are given.
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Amount: $95.00 Cost for replacement radiator
Posted by: Allen in Perris, CA.Purchased: April, 2008
Car Make: HondaCar Model: CRX
Auto Shop: NAPA Auto Parts
Ran into a concrete curb when the road ended suddenly. Stupid mistake. The car wasn't badly damaged but the radiator was busted. Got the replacement radiator for a little less than a hundred dollars at a local Napa With my pops discount. I'm going to attempt to put it on myself.
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Amount: $515.00 radiator for acura integra
Posted by: a user in seattle, WA.Purchased: May, 2008
Car Make: acuraCar Model: integra
Auto Shop: Budd & Co Inc
For a replacement radiator/thermostat plus the original cooling system test ($40) with a 1 year/12K warrenty on parts and labour. More than I was hoping to spend, but a suggested mechanic that doesn't rip you off.
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Amount: $517.00 Radiator, Thermostat and belt replacement
Posted by: Gwen and Gene in Stone Mountain, GA.Purchased: June, 2008
Car Make: 1991Car Model: chrysler Imperial
Auto Shop: Firestone
Had radiator, thermostat, and belt replacement price includes labor and taxes. Good job and great service!
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Amount: $645.63 Replaced radiator and two connector hoses
Posted by: CRV owner in Phoenix, AZ.Purchased: July, 2008
Car Make: HondaCar Model: CRV
Auto Shop: 25th Street Automotive
included new radiator, cap, new coolant,cooling system supplement, two hoses and clamp as well as shop supplies. I thought this was a high price, but given the comprables for an "SUV", I guess it is in the ballpark, though my last car, a Jeep Wrangler never ran me over $400.00.
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Amount: $250.00 radiator replacement
Posted by: bmr in seattle, WA.Purchased: 2008
Car Make: hondaCar Model: civic
Auto Shop: walt\'s in south seattle
amazing guys. did the job in 2 hours and were great.
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Amount: $804.00 replaced radiator
Posted by: CRV owner in AZ in gilbert, AZ.Purchased: August, 2008
Car Make: hondaCar Model: crv
Auto Shop: napa auto-lindsey, gilbert, az
paid for new thermostat; seal, low hose, rad hose and radiator--also cooling system fill/flush;;;;

AC doesn't work now and temp gage in car runs very hot! not sure what they did, but going back in tomorrow to see if they can fix it for $804!! they'd better.
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Amount: $750.00 New radiator, thermostat, flush
Posted by: KP in Collinsville, IL.Purchased: September, 2008
Car Make: MazdaCar Model: Protege5
New radiator, thermostat, gasket, system flush.
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Amount: $500.00 hyundai sonata radiator
Posted by: arun in pittsburgh, PA.Purchased: 2002
Car Make: hyundaiCar Model: sonata
Auto Shop: pep boys
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Amount: $260.00 replaced radiator
Posted by: a user in Brooklyn, NY.Purchased: May, 2008
Car Make: NissanCar Model: Altima 2002
Auto Shop: Igor Auto Center
Brought car in at 8:30am picked it up at 10:30am the same day.
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Amount: $574.00 Radiator
Posted by: A user in Texas in Houston, TX.Purchased: 2008
Replaced the radiator, cap and a hose. Took it in because heater was not heating properly and discovered that the radiator was cracked. The crack was the reason the heater was not generating heat properly.
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Amount: $302.58 Replaced Radiator
Posted by: Blacksmith in Marietta, GA.Purchased: February, 2001
Car Make: DodgeCar Model: Ram 1500
Auto Shop: CARWASH USA, INC
Replaced the radiator, new coolant, washed the truck. Two hours exactly.
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Amount: $21.00 Radiator or hose leak
Posted by: Elisabeth Driscoll in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.Purchased: August, 2002
Car Make: LandroverCar Model: Discovery II 2001
Auto Shop: Carmax
When I got home and parked my car in my driveway, I hearded a sound, looked at my car and suddenly a huge flush of water seeped our under my car. I am afraid I have to replace my radiator but my neighbor thinks it might be a hose? How can I find someone good, (beside the Landrover dealer $$$$) who can fix my car and does not charge my the maximum amount for a radiotor? I am a single mom who barely has this extra money for repairs, unfortunately.
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Amount: $425.00 Radiator Repair 2004 Jeep
Posted by: A way out of no way in Farmington Hills, MI.Purchased: February, 2009
Car Make: JeepCar Model: Cherokee
Auto Shop: Northwest Tune-Up
Well after visiting costhelper.com and based on the average cost for and SUV radiator. I do feel the cost may be fair. On the other hand, to spend $425 on an auto repair as simple as a radaitor makes me mad. I can barely pay my car note.
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Amount: $220.00 Radiator
Posted by: Sean S. in Cerritos, CA.Purchased: February, 2001
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Camry
Auto Shop: Norwalk Toyota
Changed radiator and added new coolant.
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Amount: $675.00 Radiator replacement
Posted by: Demaris in Ann Arbor in Ann Arbor, MI.Purchased: February, 2009
Car Make: HyndaiCar Model: Santa Fe
Auto Shop: Firestone
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Amount: $0.00 Radiators
Posted by: Jesse in Anoka, MN.Purchased: 2009
Car Make: SaturnCar Model: SC2
Auto Shop: NONE
I brought my vehicle in after buying it from a CARHOP in Minnesota, many problems that they were not going to fix... The Radiator is going out now, and I have to pay for it, was wondering if anyone knew of any place i could bring it for a relatively decent price...
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Amount: $519.77 New Radiator
Posted by: Kathy W. in College Station, TX.Purchased: 2009
Car Make: HondaCar Model: CR-V 1998
Auto Shop: Allen Honda
Got a new aftermarket radiator, hoses, clamps and cap after my old one cracked and started leaking. Honda radiator would have been $175 more. Took less than a day and they gave me a 10% student discount, bringing the total down from $576.77 to $519.77. For a small SUV I guess I made out pretty good, even getting it done at the dealer.
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Amount: $540.00 Radiator Replacement
Posted by: Sujit Mondal in Norristown, PA.Purchased: March, 2009
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Camry
Auto Shop: Firestone
Include New Raditor parts and labour , Raditor cap , pressure test , antifreeze flush.

A common thing observed in firestone always , they do recomend the part which is not affected. For this they have suggested raditor hose replecement also , but I have not done that.
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Amount: $288.00 Radiator Replacement
Posted by: a user in Tallahassee, FL.Purchased: May, 2009
Car Make: NissanCar Model: Altima
Auto Shop: BP Service Station
Replaced the radiator, clamps, and refilled coolant after two cracks in the radiator were discovered.
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Amount: $502.00 Radiator, Thermometer and Fluid Replacement
Posted by: user in Charlotte, NC in Rock Hill, SC.Purchased: May, 2009
Car Make: NissanCar Model: Altima
Auto Shop: Harrelson, Nissan
Car overheated. They found a small leak in the radiator and decided to replace it AND the thermometer. I sort of wished I had them replace the thermometer first to see if it was that (because the darn car is so old), but looks like I was quoted about right for the radiator based on what I'm seeing here. My cost breakdown was $299 on a new radiator, $25 or so for the coolant, and $25 for the new thermometer.. LABOR was $179 for 2 hours. Ouch! I wonder why I got a Ph.D. when these mechanics make $90 an hour! :o) Good luck!
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Amount: $260.00 Radiator
Posted by: a user in Phoenix, AZ.Purchased: May, 2009
Car Make: VolvoCar Model: S80
Auto Shop: America Muffler
Changed with Brand New Radiator and coolant
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Amount: $429.87 Remove and Replace cracked plastic Raditor with Aluminun core
Posted by: Kirk in Panama City, FL.Purchased: June, 2009
Car Make: ChevoletCar Model: S-10
Auto Shop: Madd Hatter
So the price I paid was average. Took the first quote. Priced just the radiator part #15120548 for $429.74 at the dealer. Online it ranged from $139-204. Leak started from a crack in the plastic. Most of the franchise service centers I have used and have only been happy with one of them which I only used once. Heard good reviews about Madd Hatter just 2 miles from me. He said he would call me back and a few minutes later the quote was $429.87 and would take a few hours. I didn't even haggle. Without my truck I would have to rent a car to go to work for how many days? Based on the price of the part I expected several hundred dollars at the dealer if nothing else was wrong. For $429.87 new radiator installed, antifreeze and same day return while I waited with no additional cost was a great deal. It has a 12 month, 12000 mile parts and labor warranty. Took about 3 hours. I'm just happy there was no serious damage and no more work required. Heard on a radio talk show that the extended life antifreeze should be changed more frequently because it doesn't protect for 5 years.
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Amount: $397.00 new radiator
Posted by: brad in Austin, TX.Purchased: August, 2009
Car Make: FordCar Model: Ranger
Auto Shop: Kurts Autowerks
had leak. new radiator needed.
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Amount: $640.00 Radiator Replaced
Posted by: truckeefamily in Truckee, CA.Purchased: September, 2009
Car Make: FordCar Model: Expedition
Auto Shop: Quality Automotive and Smog Inc
price included a diagnostics test to determine problem (had leak and heater was not working), replacement radiator, new fluids, and labor.

Note: My Ford Expedition has the 5.4L V-8 engine.
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Amount: $826.00 Radiator Replaced
Posted by: a user in Catonsville, MD.Purchased: October, 2009
Car Make: ToyotaCar Model: Prius (2003)
Auto Shop: Russel Toyota
$826 for just part, quoted 6 hours labor.
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Amount: $760.00 Radiator & hoses replaced plus oil change
Posted by: longdar in Falls Church, VA.Purchased: December, 2002
Car Make: AcuraCar Model: Integra 97
Price includes labor and tax
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Amount: $923.72 Radiator Replaced
Posted by: S. Thomas in Fairfield, OH.Purchased: November, 2009
Car Make: Mercedes BenzCar Model: ML320
Auto Shop: N.T.B.Fairfield OH
Price include parts labor and tax.
N.T.B. price was $330.00 less then the Mercedes Benz dealer, they use all new parts and it comes with a nationwide warranty, so any state i am in that has a N.T.B or Tire Kingdom shop will honor my warranty.
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