Buyers of 2025 Hyundai vehicles get three years or 36,000 miles of complimentary regular scheduled maintenance. Buyers of 2026 Hyundai vehicles will not, according to a new report.
CarsDirect had the scoop first, and Hyundai officials haven’t responded to our emailed requests for confirmation. But we’re inclined to believe the news, and to think Hyundai won’t be the last automaker to chop a free maintenance plan.
Related: Car Maintenance Guide – Everything You Need to Know
Memo to Dealers
CarsDirect published a memo reportedly sent to Hyundai dealerships last week. It explains that “the cost of the program grew to unsupportable levels,” leading to the decision.
Instead, the memo tells dealers they should offer a pre-paid maintenance program that lets owners pay for future maintenance appointments ahead of time.
Likely a Tariff Casualty
Hyundai hasn’t explained its logic, but it’s not hard to intuit. A new 25% tariff will apply to car parts on or before May 3, depending on how long it takes the U.S. Department of Commerce to write the rules that enforce it.
Related: With Tariff Rules Unclear, Automakers Can’t Predict Prices Yet
Nearly all auto parts used in the U.S. come from outside the country.
If Hyundai was already struggling with the program’s finances, that problem would only grow as parts become more expensive.
We may well see other automakers end complimentary maintenance programs in the coming days.
It Was Never an Important Consideration, Anyway
Losing the program is bad for car shoppers, but it was never a particularly enticing offer to begin with. Most new cars need little maintenance in their first few years of ownership. So, the programs offer limited savings.
Buyers shouldn’t weight them too heavily in their decision making. A lower interest rate or significant cash incentive often saves you more in the long run.
Pre-paying maintenance, however, is not a bad idea if you own a Hyundai today. We can’t predict how long the parts tariff might remain in place. But pre-paying maintenance at today’s prices offers you some insulation against the price increases likely to come.