Radiator replacement costs $450 to $1,850 per repair in 2026
Radiator replacement costs $450 to $1,850 per repair in 2026. RepairPal lists an average of $1,368 to $1,550, with parts near $1,000 and labor at $375 to $550. Empire Auto Protect says independent shops charge $450 to $1,200 for most cars and trucks. SoFi lists $750 to $1,850. Your vehicle, the part you pick and the shop set the price.
What price guides say
We checked 4 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| RepairPal | RepairPal lists an average of $1,368 to $1,550, labor at $375 to $550, parts at $993 to $1,001 and a Ford F-150 at $1,594 to $1,801. |
| Empire Auto Protect | Empire Auto Protect lists $450 to $1,200 at independent shops, $1,500 to $2,400 at dealers or for luxury cars and a compact sedan at $450 to $750. |
| SoFi | SoFi lists radiator replacement at $750 to $1,850, repair at $250 to $750 and mechanic rates of $75 to $130 an hour. |
| ConsumerAffairs | ConsumerAffairs lists full radiator replacement at $765 to $1,826 and repair at $250 to $750. |
Radiator replacement prices by vehicle
| Vehicle or type | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average car | $1,368 to $1,550 | RepairPal |
| Honda Civic | $870 to $1,016 | RepairPal |
| Toyota Camry | $944 to $1,133 | RepairPal |
| Ford F-150 | $1,594 to $1,801 | RepairPal |
| Compact sedan | $450 to $750 | Empire Auto Protect |
| Midsize SUV | $580 to $950 | Empire Auto Protect |
| Full size pickup | $700 to $1,200 | Empire Auto Protect |
| Luxury sedan | $1,200 to $2,100 | Empire Auto Protect |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Your vehicle | Bigger or luxury vehicles cost more. RepairPal lists a Honda Civic at $870 to $1,016 and a Ford F-150 at $1,594 to $1,801. |
| Part choice | Parts are about 60 percent of the cost, per Empire Auto Protect. RepairPal lists parts near $1,000 on average, and a store brand part may cost less. |
| Labor | Labor takes 2 to 5 hours, per Empire Auto Protect. RepairPal lists labor at $375 to $550, and SoFi lists shop rates of $75 to $130 an hour. |
| Shop type | Dealers and luxury cars cost more. Empire Auto Protect lists $450 to $1,200 at independent shops and $1,500 to $2,400 at dealers or for luxury cars. |
| Extra work | Coolant and small parts add to the bill. Empire Auto Protect lists a coolant flush at $40 to $90 and a thermostat at $25 to $60. |
What the price includes
The quote normally covers draining the coolant, removing the old radiator, fitting the new one and refilling the system. Parts and labor are the two big pieces. Extra costs can include new coolant, hoses, a thermostat or a radiator cap. RepairPal says its range leaves out taxes and fees.
DIY or hire a pro
Changing a radiator at home is hard for most people. You must drain hot coolant safely, remove hoses and fans, fit the new part and bleed air from the system. A mistake can lead to overheating and engine damage. Empire Auto Protect lists 2 to 5 hours of labor for a pro. You can save money by buying the part yourself, but ask the shop first, since some will not fit parts you bring. A pro also tests for leaks after the job. Simple jobs like a cap or a coolant top off are fine to do yourself.
How to tell you need it
Signs include a temperature gauge that climbs, steam from the hood, coolant puddles under the car and a sweet smell. You may also see low coolant that keeps dropping, or rust and green crust on the radiator. If the engine overheats, pull over and shut it off. Do not open the cap while it is hot.
How to judge your quote
- Ask if the quote covers coolant, hoses and the thermostat.
- Ask if the part is factory or aftermarket.
- Ask how many hours of labor are in the price.
- Ask if the leak could be fixed with a cheaper repair.
- Compare the total with the range above: $450 to $1,850 per repair for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Get the leak checked first. SoFi lists radiator repair at $250 to $750, below replacement at $750 to $1,850.
- Get two or three quotes. Empire Auto Protect lists $450 to $1,200 at independent shops and $1,500 to $2,400 at dealers.
- Ask about quality aftermarket radiators. They can cost less than factory parts, and many shops carry them.
- Do the cap and thermostat while the system is open. Empire Auto Protect lists a thermostat at $25 to $60 and a cap at $10 to $25.
- Never drive an overheating engine. Heat can ruin the engine, which costs far more than a radiator.
Why this costs more in 2026
Trade labor now runs about $75 to $150 an hour in most of the US. Lumber, steel, copper, PVC and concrete all cost more than in 2024, and freight went up after the oil shock that began with the Iran war in February 2026. Radiators are mostly aluminum, and aluminum and freight costs rose in 2026 after the oil shock that began in February.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from RepairPal, Empire Auto Protect, SoFi and ConsumerAffairs. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a radiator replacement cost?
RepairPal lists $1,368 to $1,550 on average. Empire Auto Protect lists $450 to $1,200 at independent shops. SoFi lists $750 to $1,850.
How much is a radiator repair?
SoFi and ConsumerAffairs both list $250 to $750 for repair. Replacement costs more, at $750 to $1,850 per SoFi and $765 to $1,826 per ConsumerAffairs.
How much is labor for a radiator replacement?
RepairPal lists labor at $375 to $550. SoFi lists a rate of $75 to $130 an hour and 2 to 3 hours of work. Empire Auto Protect says 2 to 5 hours.
How much does the radiator itself cost?
RepairPal lists parts at $993 to $1,001 on average. Empire Auto Protect lists parts from $220 to $400 for a compact sedan and $350 to $650 for a full size pickup.
What else should I replace with a radiator?
Empire Auto Protect lists a thermostat at $25 to $60, a cap at $10 to $25 and a coolant flush at $40 to $90. Doing them together can save labor.