Report: Hyundai To Cut Complimentary New-Vehicle Maintenance Starting With the 2026 Model Year
Many automakers offer free routine maintenance for the first few years of a new car’s life as a way to attract buyers and inspire peace of mind. Despite offering one of the industry’s most robust warranties, Hyundai is doing away with its free maintenance program starting with the 2026 model year.
Right now, Hyundai buyers see three years or 36,000 miles of free maintenance, which includes four services for oil changes, filters, tire rotations, and more. It’s a program similar to the ones offered by Toyota, Honda, and others, but Hyundai said it can no longer sustain the costs.
In a letter to dealers, the automaker said, “The cost of the program grew to unsupportable levels.” In place of the complimentary maintenance program, Hyundai will offer prepaid maintenance, though it’s hard to imagine that being a viable replacement for a previously cost-free offering.
Hyundai’s decision won’t affect already-produced 2025 model-year vehicles, so it could be a good time to purchase if you are already in the market for one. The new Service Drive prepaid maintenance program goes into effect today, however, so any new Hyundais reaching dealers’ lots won’t have free services attached.
The cost of prepaid maintenance will likely vary between vehicles, but Hyundai will offer coverage for the previously free first four services, including oil changes and tire rotations. Buyers can add the prepaid coverage for up to eight years from the purchase date.
[Images: Hyundai]
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Chris grew up in, under, and around cars, but took the long way around to becoming an automotive writer. After a career in technology consulting and a trip through business school, Chris began writing about the automotive industry as a way to reconnect with his passion and get behind the wheel of a new car every week. He focuses on taking complex industry stories and making them digestible by any reader. Just don’t expect him to stay away from high-mileage Porsches.
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"Complimentary" maintenance isn't free as the cost is included in the MSRP.
Since Hyundai (like most other automakers) will likely be raising prices across the board (whether imported or built here), they will soften the blow a bit by no longer incorporating the cost of complimentary maintenance.
This is a price increase, sorry to jump ahead. TG out, again.