Hyundai has confirmed that it will no longer provide complimentary maintenance (HCM) on its vehicles starting with the 2026 model year.
In a bulletin shared with dealers and reported by Cars Direct, Hyundai stated that the program’s costs had become unsustainable. As an alternative, the company is advising dealers to promote pre-paid maintenance plans, enabling them to focus on a new source of revenue.
Hyundai’s exceptional warranty has been a major draw, offering complimentary services like multipoint inspections, oil changes, and tire rotations for the first three years or 36,000 miles on new vehicles.
The HCM Program covered Hyundai models from 2020 to 2025. As the program evolved, Hyundai decided to adopt a new strategy and discontinue the Program for models from 2026 onward. As stated in the note referenced by CarsDirect, the change creates an opportunity for dealers to redirect toward a new pre-paid maintenance plan.
The discontinuation applies solely to routine maintenance coverage, which functions separately from the car’s original manufacturer’s warranty. The 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and the 5-year, 60,000-mile new vehicle warranty will continue to be offered without any changes.
Hyundai CEO José Muñoz shared with Autocar that, while the program’s discontinuation might disappoint some potential buyers, the company’s commitment to not raising prices could be an attractive factor. He also stressed that the U.S. is a crucial market for Hyundai, where offering a competitive product is vital.
As reported by CarsDirect, the new Pre-Paid Maintenance Program will be available in two options: Pre-Paid Basic Maintenance and Pre-Paid Scheduled Maintenance. The Basic tier covers essential services like oil changes and tire rotations, whereas the Scheduled tier offers a more comprehensive package that includes all maintenance tasks specified in the owner’s manual.
Hyundai plans to provide customers with a discount on the purchase of one of the maintenance plans, though specific pricing details will be disclosed later. For the company, the initiative ensures steady business for dealerships and service centers while fostering customer loyalty by discouraging maintenance at third-party facilities.
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