Hello, I took my 2016 fit in for a service A, and they said one of the rear shocks was leaking.

Repair costs 1200+ CAD to replace both rear shocks and realign.

Does this sound right? What are my options?

Are non oem shocks cheaper? Should I do this work at the dealer?

 

I've never seen this issue here. I'd take it to a trusted or recommended independent mechanic for a second opinion.

 

You can't align the rear without adding "shims". We have a rear torsion beam. Its factory set not adjustable. Ask the service writer how they will align the rear.
If that prices includes new rear torsion beam then i say go for it.
Here's an article how to align the rear.

Tweaking Toe On A Rear Twist Beam

 

+1
Get a second opinion on whether or not there is a leak and if so, what the cost would be. Also find out if an alignment is then required. When it comes to dealers color me cynical.

 

I smell toro caca at the dealership.

 

My '16 LX also has a leaking right rear shock. Dealer found it couple months ago when I had it in for other service. Not a big leak and dealer didn't recommend replacement just yet, but to watch it instead.

I've been looking at the Koni Orange 8050-1131 if I need to replace.

 

I swapped out both stock rear shocks for the Koni Orange in about 30 minutes to pair with Swift springs. Pretty easy driveway job if you are so inclined. Huge improvement over stock.

 

+2 on getting a second opinion on the strut.

 

I vote for getting a second opinion on anything a dealer tells you that costs money and that you can't verify. A couple of years ago my ex-girlfriend brought her Lexus to the dealer. They gave her a long list of stuff that needed doing, close to $2000. I told her to get it in writing and send it to me.
Stuff like wheel alignment. I asked her if the car pulled to one side. No. I called the dealer, went over stuff with them- like for wheel alignment I asked if the tires were wearing unevenly. Nope. I crossed that off the list.
By the time I was done going through the list we were below $800. Someone who knows more about cars than I did could've probably crossed off more stuff but some things I just didn't know enough about to tell them to screw off.

A year ago they told her that her car was leaking oil and that if she were planning to keep the car she should fix it. They showed her underneath where it was leaking from, but she didn't know enough about cars to tell me where it was. It was an expensive repair.

I said to wait- I'd come see where it was leaking from, but first ask them to wipe it off with a rag. Then I asked if there was an oil stain in her parking spot.

She checked. Nothing.

Car runs fine, no oil leak.

 

I used to work for a dealership. They are always to upsell.
In ny you used to be able to fail a car for inspection with leaking shocks. They changed the law. Unscrupulous mechanics would spray oil on the shock and then fail the car for inspection.

 

The factory rear shocks on a GK are about $160 each and it would take less than an hour to change the two shocks. As stated above, aligning the rear is basically not possible and definitely not needed.

So, in US $ it should cost about $450 total to replace both shocks at the dealer. That would put it at under $600 Canadian. The dealer is definitely trying to screw you.

 

I had a firestone do that to my rear differential on my 4runner saying it was leaking and needed replacement. I was like I've never seen a spot on my parking spot, so show it to me. It was on the lift still. I rubbed my finger on it lightly and it came up oily but it was clean oil. I told them just finish up installing the tires and I wouldn't be doing the diff. I knew if it was a real leak, dust and road grunge would be caked on. Got home, cleaned it off with brake cleaner and a paper towel. It never did leak.

My friend was the service manager but was off that day. He confronted the tech and he pretty much confirmed he was trying to get one over on me.

 

And I'm guessing he didn't fire the thief. Which is why we have this sort of behavior.

 

A big part of the problem is that most mechanics get paid more for doing more work. So they are financially encouraged to find problems. Which can lead to dishonesty. Most dealerships pay mechanics in that way. Less so with private shops. That's why I always tell people to go to private shops.