A woman was left frustrated after bringing her car in for an oil change when a mechanic tried charging her $1,100 to fix a coolant leak. TikTok user Marlene (@marzgonzalezxo) posted a viral video detailing her experience and suspicion towards the proposed work the tech said her vehicle needed. Oil Change Turns To A Thousand-Dollar Coolant Fix "So, I just got back from getting my oil change done," Marlene begins. "And the guy was like, 'Your car is super clean, no issues. But, there's one little thing, one little thing,’ he says. ‘It was super low on coolant. It looks like one of the hoses is cracked … and that’s where it’s leaking from.’ So, I’m like, immediately, I already knew where this was going." Marlene then stated that she suspected the service tech was attempting to upsell her on a service, and her suspicions were soon confirmed. That’s because the mechanic recommended that, in addition to repairing the hose he says was leaking coolant, a slew of other fixes should be completed as well. Swapping out the radiator, thermostat, and other hoses was a good idea, according to the tech, just to ensure that her car was operating optimally. "So I’m like, ‘How much?’ What’s the estimate, you know?" That’s when the shop worker informed her that it would cost around $1,100 to perform all of the aforementioned procedures. While Marlene said she indeed had the money to fix her vehicle, she couldn’t believe the maintenance would cost that much. Was The Mechanic Taking Her For A Ride? In a video posted on Jan. 12, Marlene documented other woes with her Chevrolet Malibu. The video documents her interaction with an AAA worker, who informed her that she would need to replace her car’s battery again. Many who replied to the clip surmised that the issue with her ride could be an electrical malfunction resulting in a battery draw. This would prematurely deplete her car’s battery, preventing it from starting without a jump. In another TikTok, Marlene records herself inside her Malibu, which appears to have a relatively new interior, judging from its large center-dash infotainment display and Apple CarPlay integration. Regarding hoses and fluid leaks in Chevrolet vehicles, Lemon Law Experts compiled a list of affected General Motors car models that have experienced these issues. Primarily, cars manufactured from 2018 to 2020 were mentioned in the write-up. When it comes to the 2018 Malibu, a 2020 recall was issued for vehicles that experienced transmission fluid leaks. Chevrolet Cruze vehicles from 2011 to 2015 were specifically named as being prone to engine coolant leaks. However, the Malibu wasn’t listed by the NHTSA as being predisposed to leaking coolant. What Causes A Car’s Coolant To Leak? According to RepairPal's analysis, there are three primary causes of a car’s coolant leak. When it comes to the Malibu, the auto maintenance site attributes "loose hose connections" as the reason coolant isn’t being distributed properly throughout the vehicle, rather than a damaged or defective hose. This problem is one of the simplest and least costly to address, as RepairPal writes that it "involve[s] tightening loose connections." AutoZone writes that loose hoses can be easily rectified by tightening the clamps around the hoses to prevent them from loosening while driving. A pair of specialized pliers to remove old clamps and replace them with fresh ones will help with the process. The auto parts retailer also went on to state that drivers can determine whether or not their hoses are loose or damaged by looking underneath their car after it’s been parked for an extended period of time. If there’s any fluid pooled underneath the car, determining what type it is can help folks identify the source of the leak. If it’s coolant, then you’ll more than likely need a radiator hose replacement. Parts Geek offers radiator hoses for the 2025 model Chevrolet Malibu for $17.97 apiece. However, these aren’t OEM-recommended components. ACDelco lower and upper radiator hoses sell for $111.97 and $120.97, respectively. Radiator And Water Pump Defects May Result In Coolant Drips While RepairPal says there’s a 50% chance a Chevy Malibu’s leaking coolant, there’s also a 25% chance there’s an issue with the radiator and/or a 25% chance it’s the car’s water pump. If a car’s radiator is clogged or impaired, the flow of coolant can be impeded from getting to it, subsequently causing the car’s engine to overheat. Ultimately, this can damage a car’s engine, leading to costly repairs, so it’s better to fix the problem sooner rather than later. Water pump failures cause similar issues because coolant isn’t being properly circulated throughout the vehicle, leading to overheating. On a separate RepairPal estimate page, the website says radiator replacements on a 2025 Malibu range anywhere from $1,338 to $1,605, but prices can vary depending on the location and how labor-intensive the process is. For water pumps, the same vehicle carries an $852 to $1,139 swap-out cost. YourMechanic listed much lower prices, however, for both procedures. Find A Trusted Local Mechanic AARP opined on the importance of utilizing the services of "an auto mechanic you can trust." The nonprofit organization says that these privately owned locations "usually offer … repairs at a better price point than the dealership." Finding a place with positive reviews on popular search engines like Google or Yelp can go a long way in narrowing down your search for a mechanic. Furthermore, third-party shops will often prioritize long-term client relationships, as they don’t have any skin in the game when it comes to upselling you on a new vehicle after you’ve hit a certain mileage threshold. So, heading to a local shop for routine oil changes, tire rotations, and other services can go a long way in keeping your car on the road for hundreds of thousands of miles—and keeping you away from unnecessary replacements just so they can make a quick buck. Motor1 has reached out to Marlene via TikTok direct message for further comment. We will update this story if she responds. We want your opinion! What would you like to see on Motor1.com? Take our 3 minute survey. - The Motor1.com Team