Kia Optima radiator price snapshot
- Low
- $35
- Average
- $160
- High
- $1,800
Vehicle-specific price guide
How much is a used Kia Optima radiator ?
How much does a used Kia Optima radiator cost? Current salvage yard asking prices with condition grade, trim, and model-year detail from real marketplace listings.
Price summary
A used Kia Optima radiator costs $35 to $1,800, with a median asking price of $146. Based on 1,116 priced salvage yard listings across the US, compatible across 2011–2025 (15 model years), updated Sep 9, 2026. Prices exclude shipping, core charges, and installation.
Grade A (excellent)$153
Grade B (good)$173
Grade C (fair)$100
USD
Condition comparison
Price by part grade
Grade AClean / low wear$35–$1,685823 listings
Grade BStandard used$50–$435159 listings
Grade CVisible wear$70–$10023 listings
Grade XUngraded$50–$1,800111 listings
| Grade | Price range | Relative range | Listings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade AClean / low wear | $35–$1,685 | 823 | |
| Grade BStandard used | $50–$435 | 159 | |
| Grade CVisible wear | $70–$100 | 23 | |
| Grade XUngraded | $50–$1,800 | 111 |
Median by grade
Grade price comparison
Grade A$153
Grade B$173
Grade C$100
Ungraded$100
Median asking price by seller-reported condition grade · $35–$1,800 overall range
Replacement cost
What is the Kia Optima radiator replacement cost?
- Used part
- $146
- Kia Optima median asking price
- Labor
- $190–$600
- 2–4 hours at $95–$150/hr
- Estimated total
- $335–$745
- median used part + labor
Labor is a typical independent-shop range for radiator replacement, not a quote for your vehicle; it does not include coolant refill and system bleed. The part price is the live median from the salvage-yard listings on this page. Full radiator replacement cost breakdown
Korea built (VIN K, 1st digit), (2.0L), lower (inverter)41 listingsInterchange 2016–2019$100$65 – $300
Korea built (VIN K, 1st digit), (2.0L), upper (engine)41 listingsInterchange 2016–2019$123$70 – $300
Model-year comparison
What does a Kia Optima radiator cost by year?
Market analysis
How much does a used Kia Optima radiator cost?
Based on 1,116 listings, a used radiator for the Kia Optima runs $146 at the median, ranging $35–$1,800. That figure comes from 1,116 priced salvage-yard listings tracked by our index. Condition matters: grade-A units (lowest mileage, best condition) carry roughly a 53% premium over grade-C stock, with grade-A medians at $153.
Fitment variant moves the price more than most buyers expect. The most affordable variant we track, Korea built (VIN K, 1st digit), (2.0L), lower (inverter), lists at a $100 median, while US built (VIN 5, 1st digit), 2.4L commands $218, a 118% gap inside the same part category. Confirm which variant your VIN requires before comparing quotes.
Model year matters too: 2015 units carry the lowest median at $75, while 2019 tops the table at $170. Parts from 2011–2016 are interchangeable, so if the 2015 fits your vehicle, it offers the best value across 6 compatible years.
Against comparable vehicles, the Kia Optima sits 10% below the Ford Explorer ($162), 14% below the Jeep Wrangler ($170), and 32% below the Mercedes E Class ($216) for the same part. The “similar vehicles” cards below open each comparison guide.
Buying a used radiator: what to check
- Inspect for bent fins, crusted seams, and dried coolant trails, all signs of leaks.
- Confirm automatic vs manual transmission versions; auto radiators include cooler lines.
- Plastic end tanks age badly. Favor low-mileage donors.
- Pressure-tested units are worth the premium; ask.
Keep browsing this vehicle
What other Kia Optima parts are priced?
01wide ±117%
Engine
$2,500median
$150$6,017
02wide ±323%
Transmission
$649median
$75$4,267
03wide ±138%
Front Bumper
$272median
$13$765
04wide ±129%
Rear Bumper
$243median
$25$650
05wide ±129%
Hood
$401median
$100$1,132
06wide ±642%
Fender
$137median
$40$1,800
07wide ±2633%
Headlight Assembly
$476median
$30$25,100
08wide ±1110%
Tail Light
$125median
$25$2,800
09wide ±224%
Alternator
$88median
$30$425
10wide ±126%
Starter
$110median
$30$307
11wide ±209%
AC Compressor
$133median
$44$600
12
Transfer Case
Price data updating
13wide ±189%
Axle Shaft
$101median
$19$400
14wide ±148%
Strut
$75median
$35$257
15wide ±273%
Steering Rack
$283median
$40$1,587
16wide ±264%
Grille
$140median
$19$759
17wide ±11384%
Side Mirror
$132median
$20$30,075
18wide ±111%
Turbocharger
$474median
$100$1,155
19wide ±317%
AC Condenser
$110median
$25$723
20wide ±272%
Wheels
$125median
$19$700
21wide ±492%
Fuel Pump
$115median
$40$1,172
22wide ±237%
Water Pump
$75median
$20$375
23wide ±108%
Power Steering Pump
$125median
$30$300
24wide ±169%
ABS Module
$175median
$40$631
25
Differential
Price data updating
26wide ±5661%
Engine Computer
$102median
$25$11,573
27wide ±142%
Throttle Body
$73median
$20$228
28wide ±2048%
Brake Caliper
$50median
$12$2,060
29spread ±48%
Drive Shaft
$300median
$75$361
30wide ±127%
Tailgate
$335median
$50$900
31wide ±147%
Intake Manifold
$131median
$30$415
32wide ±21781%
Control Arm
$72median
$20$31,385
33wide ±162%
Blower Motor
$116median
$30$405
34wide ±170%
Exhaust Manifold
$454median
$54$1,600
35wide ±455%
Transmission Control Module
$110median
$25$1,025
36wide ±213%
Steering Column
$195median
$51$880
37wide ±142%
Fuel Tank
$143median
$40$445
38wide ±167%
Window Regulator
$114median
$30$410
39wide ±159%
Instrument Cluster
$85median
$10$280
40wide ±380%
Torque Converter
$125median
$50$1,000
41wide ±80%
Steering Wheel
$150median
$35$275
42wide ±385%
Ignition Switch
$100median
$30$800
43wide ±421%
Car Radio
$177median
$10$1,500
44wide ±147%
Heater Core
$116median
$61$401
45wide ±150%
Rear View Mirror
$100median
$25$325
46wide ±527%
Sunroof
$126median
$46$1,375
47wide ±113%
Master Cylinder
$99median
$20$243
48wide ±166%
Fog Light
$110median
$20$386
49wide ±1238%
Center Console
$100median
$25$2,500
50wide ±288%
Air Bag
$125median
$35$755
51wide ±140%
Door Assembly
$250median
$50$750
52wide ±86%
Quarter Panel
$400median
$55$740
53wide ±119%
Rear Bumper Assembly
$300median
$20$731
54wide ±389%
Front Seat
$176median
$30$1,400
Price comparisons
Compare Kia Optima radiator prices
Radiatorcompare
MercedesEClassvsKiaOptima
Class$216
Optima$146
$70 diff4,452 listings
RadiatorcompareMercedesCClassvsKiaOptima
Class$269
Optima$146
$123 diff3,837 listings
RadiatorcompareHyundaiSonatavsKiaOptima
Sonata$183
Optima$146
$37 diff3,355 listings
RadiatorcompareHyundaiElantravsKiaOptima
Elantra$182
Optima$146
$36 diff3,105 listings
RadiatorcompareFordMustangvsKiaOptima
Mustang$165
Optima$146
$19 diff2,588 listings
RadiatorcompareHondaAccordvsKiaOptima
Accord$150
Optima$146
$4 diff2,540 listings
Compare fitments
What do similar vehicles charge for this part?
Acurawide ±617%
Acura MDX
$145median
$60$1,850
Acurawide ±323%
Acura RDX
$123median
$51$845
BMWwide ±773%
BMW X3
$209median
$45$3,275
BMWwide ±361%
BMW X5
$398median
$25$2,900
Chevywide ±577%
Chevy Colorado
$182median
$48$2,150
Chevywide ±160%
Chevy Equinox
$170median
$50$595
Kiawide ±459%
Kia Forte
$143median
$50$1,363
Kiawide ±143%
Kia Seltos
$201median
$53$626
Kiawide ±8728%
Kia Sorento
$172median
$50$30,075
Kiawide ±367%
Kia Soul
$135median
$45$1,037
Kiawide ±390%
Kia Sportage
$207median
$20$1,636
Kiawide ±442%
Kia Telluride
$200median
$45$1,814
Common questions
Kia Optima radiator FAQ
How much is a used radiator for a Kia Optima?
Based on 1,116 priced salvage yard listings, a used Kia Optima radiator lists between $35 and $1,800, with a median asking price of $146.
How much does it cost to replace a Kia Optima radiator?
Using a used part, a Kia Optima radiator replacement typically runs $335–$745 all-in: the median used radiator for this model lists at $146, and independent-shop labor for radiator replacement typically takes 2–4 hours at $95–$150/hr ($190–$600). The labor figure does not include coolant refill and system bleed. Labor is a national part-level estimate, not a quote for your vehicle.
What affects the price of a used Kia Optima radiator?
Condition grade, mileage, model year, and fitment variant all move the price. Our data covers 5 distinct trims/variants for this part. Check the variant table above, since interchange differences can change the price substantially. Always confirm fitment against your VIN or part number before buying.
Which Kia Optima model years does this price guide cover?
This guide currently has year-level pricing for 2020, 2019, 2018, 2015. Other model years contribute to the overall range where sellers listed them without a year breakdown.
Which Kia Optima radiator years are interchangeable?
Based on salvage-yard interchange data, Kia Optima radiator listings appear across model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, suggesting these years share compatible fitments. Shopping across all 15 years may surface better prices or grades. Always verify the exact part number and VIN before buying — interchange compatibility can vary by trim or drivetrain.
How much is a used Kia Optima engine radiator?
A engine radiator is another name for a radiator. The Kia Optima radiator prices on this page apply — median $146, from 1,116 salvage yard listings.