How much does a 2018 Ford F-150 radiator replacement cost?

A 2018 Ford F-150 radiator replacement typically runs $520 to $1,290 at an independent shop, parts and labor included. The spread comes mostly from engine and access: the part is $150 to $600, labor is two to four hours, and fresh coolant with a bleed adds $25 to $60.

Why does the price change with the engine?

The 2018 Ford F-150 came with more than one engine, and the larger one usually means more coolant, tighter access, and a pricier radiator, so the job costs a little more. Sites that show one national number ignore this. Pick your engine on the estimate above for a closer figure.

Is it always the radiator when my Ford overheats?

No. Overheating on this vehicle is often the thermostat, water pump, a hose, or a coolant leak rather than the radiator itself. Confirm the source with a real diagnosis before you approve a radiator job, so you are not paying to replace a part that was fine.

Are there recalls on the 2018 Ford F-150?

Yes, NHTSA lists 19 recalls for the 2018 Ford F-150. Recall repairs are done free of charge at a franchised dealer for that brand, so it is worth checking your VIN before paying a shop for related work.

How much does a 2018 Ford F-150 radiator replacement cost?

A 2018 Ford F-150 radiator replacement typically runs $520 to $1,290 at an independent shop, parts and labor included. The spread comes mostly from engine and access: the part is $150 to $600, labor is two to four hours, and fresh coolant with a bleed adds $25 to $60.

Why does the price change with the engine?

The 2018 Ford F-150 came with more than one engine, and the larger one usually means more coolant, tighter access, and a pricier radiator, so the job costs a little more. Sites that show one national number ignore this. Pick your engine on the estimate above for a closer figure.

Is it always the radiator when my Ford overheats?

No. Overheating on this vehicle is often the thermostat, water pump, a hose, or a coolant leak rather than the radiator itself. Confirm the source with a real diagnosis before you approve a radiator job, so you are not paying to replace a part that was fine.

Are there recalls on the 2018 Ford F-150?

Yes, NHTSA lists 19 recalls for the 2018 Ford F-150. Recall repairs are done free of charge at a franchised dealer for that brand, so it is worth checking your VIN before paying a shop for related work.

Home/Repair costs/2018 Ford F-150/Radiator replacement

2018 Ford F-150 · Radiator replacement

2018 Ford F-150 radiator replacement cost

Estimated cost for your car

$520 to $1,150

Charlotte, NC area

Updated Aug 2026

Which engine? They price differently, so pick yours for a closer number.

Radiator (part)

$150 to $600

Labor (2 to 4 hrs)

$250 to $600

Coolant + bleed

$25 to $60

Get real offers from local shops I have a quote, is it fair?

What actually goes wrong on this exact vehicle

Federal safety data for the 2018 Ford F-150, so you know what to check before you pay for a radiator.

open + past recalls

owner complaints filed

Power Train

the #1 reported issue

Real owner report, verbatim from NHTSA:

“The contact owns a 2018 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH on the highway, the vehicle lost motive power, and the brakes became inoperable. The drivetrain and wrench symbol were displayed. The ABS warning light was illuminated and DTC: U100 (Failure of Communication for Engine and Transmission) was displayed. The codes were cleared after restarting the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a communication error with the engine and transmission computer. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred. The transmission upshifted from first gear to seventh. After a while, the vehicle resumed normal operations, but then the vehicle drove abnormally. The RPM increased to high, and the temperature gauge was at HOT. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and was diagnosed with complete transmission failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,513.”

Worth knowing: overheating is often the thermostat, water pump, or a hose, not the radiator itself. Confirm the source before you approve a radiator job.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration), recalls and complaints for the 2018 Ford F-150. Refreshed periodically.

Real local prices, unlocking soon

We publish what drivers actually paid once five verified F-150 cooling jobs have closed in your metro. Until then, the estimate above is your best guide.

Post your job and set the local price

Not sure it’s the radiator?

Overheating on this vehicle is often the thermostat or water pump. Describe what it’s doing and we’ll narrow it down.

Diagnose it free

How your cooling system works

The radiator is one piece of a loop. Knowing where it sits and what it works with is how you tell a real diagnosis from an upsell.

Coolant carries engine heat to the radiator, the fan pulls air through it to shed that heat, and the water pump pushes the cooled coolant back. A leak, a stuck thermostat, or a dead pump all look like “overheating” from the driver’s seat.

Found a puddle? What the color tells you

Bright green

Classic coolant leak. Find the source before it overheats.

Orange / pink

What most modern vehicles use (OAT). Same urgency as green.

Rusty brown

Old, corroded coolant. Overdue for a flush.

Milky / oily

Coolant mixing with oil. Can mean a head gasket. Serious.

What goes into a radiator replacement

The bill splits into three pieces: the radiator itself, the labor to swap it, and one to two gallons of fresh coolant with a fill-and-bleed to clear air pockets. On most vehicles the radiator sits behind the bumper cover, grille, condenser, and fans, so a tech spends two to four hours getting it out and back in. That access time, not the part price, is usually why two quotes for the same job look so different.

The 2018 Ford F-150 shipped more than one engine, and the larger one runs a little higher on both parts and access, which is why the estimate moves when you pick your engine above. National-average sites flatten that into a single number. Ask your shop to confirm the exact part for your engine before the work starts.

Estimate note: the per-engine figures are a close approximation from the make and job, refined as real local quotes come in. Treat them as a ballpark, not a guaranteed quote. The only exact number is one from a shop that has seen your car.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a 2018 Ford F-150 radiator replacement cost?
A 2018 Ford F-150 radiator replacement typically runs $520 to $1,290 at an independent shop, parts and labor included. The spread comes mostly from engine and access: the part is $150 to $600, labor is two to four hours, and fresh coolant with a bleed adds $25 to $60.
Why does the price change with the engine?
The 2018 Ford F-150 came with more than one engine, and the larger one usually means more coolant, tighter access, and a pricier radiator, so the job costs a little more. Sites that show one national number ignore this. Pick your engine on the estimate above for a closer figure.
Is it always the radiator when my Ford overheats?
No. Overheating on this vehicle is often the thermostat, water pump, a hose, or a coolant leak rather than the radiator itself. Confirm the source with a real diagnosis before you approve a radiator job, so you are not paying to replace a part that was fine.
Are there recalls on the 2018 Ford F-150?
Yes, NHTSA lists 19 recalls for the 2018 Ford F-150. Recall repairs are done free of charge at a franchised dealer for that brand, so it is worth checking your VIN before paying a shop for related work.

You deserve a fair fix.

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