Categories: Cars

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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Source: The Truth About Cars

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