--- title: "Hyundai Is Killing Its Three-Year Free Maintenance Plan" date: "2025-04-02" modified: "2025-04-02" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia.md" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/hyundai-is-killing-its-three-year-free-maintenance-plan" categories: - "Hyundai News" - "News" - "News by Brand" --- # Hyundai Is Killing Its Three-Year Free Maintenance Plan ![Cars are seen at a Hyundai dealership in Houston, Texas, on March 27, 2025.]() *\Ronaldo Schemidt/Getty Images\* Since 2020, [Hyundai]() has had one of the most attractive selling points of any car brand: free maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever came first. Not all maintenance was free, of course, but routine stuff like oil changes and tire rotations were on the house. Those are the sort of savings that steals customers away from rival brands. Unfortunately for Hyundai customers, though, that limited "Complimentary Maintenance" plan ends with 2026 models. First shared by *[CarsDirect]()*, Hyundai reportedly sent a service bulletin to dealerships sometime last week, informing them of the upcoming change. The note told dealers that free maintenance is being axed because "the cost of the program grew to unsupportable levels." Hyundai PR hasn't responded to *The Drive's* request for comment, but we'll update this story when we get one. However, an employee at a Hyundai dealer did confirm the validity of the bulletin. It's important to note that this is separate from the car's original manufacturer's warranty—this is just for routine maintenance. Both the 10-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty and five-year, 60,000-mile new vehicle warranty will remain. ![]() *Hyundai Ioniq 9 on display at the 2024 Los Angeles Auto Show. *Josh Lefkowitz/Getty Images** "The HCM Program has provided coverage for Hyundai model years 2020 through 2025. As the program has matured, Hyundai has determined a new approach is necessary and will not be offering the HCM Program for model year 2026 and beyond," the bulletin is said to have stated. What's the new approach? According to the note quoted by *CarsDirect*, "This also opens an opportunity for our dealers to shift focus to a different revenue stream, Pre-Paid Maintenance!" (Exclamation not ours.) There will apparently be two different pre-paid maintenance programs: A "Pre-Paid Basic" and "Pre-Paid Schedule" plan. The Basic one will just handle oil changes and tire rotations, but the Schedule option will cover all of the scheduled maintenance mentioned in the vehicle's owner's manual. Customers can buy maintenance plans that span up to eight years, but there's currently no word on price. I'd imagine it's cheaper to purchase the prepaid plans than pay for each individual service interval as they arise, otherwise, what the hell's the point? Customers of 2020 through 2025 model-year Hyundais will still keep their Complimentary Maintenance plans, even if they run past 2026. So, if you're a current Hyundai customer, you won't lose your free oil changes because of this policy change. However, when it comes time to trade your car in, you'll have to forfeit one of the bigger selling points Hyundai had over its competitors. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]() ## More - [Hyundai Plans to Streamline the Sales Process]() - [Tesla Kills Annual Maintenance Program After Realizing Its Cars Are Just Too Reliable]() - [A Year Later, Hyundai Isn’t Close to Selling Cars on Amazon: Report]() - [Hyundai, Kia Release Free Anti-Theft Software To Combat Stolen Car Epidemic]() - [If You Own a 2011-2019 Hyundai or Kia, You Might Be Eligible for a Free Engine]() - [Hyundai Killed Its Mid-Engine Sports Car Over $150,000 Price Tag]() - [Genesis to Distance Itself Further from Hyundai Sooner Than Planned]() - [Hyundai Pulls Planned Ads After “Disturbing Accusations” at Scandal-Plagued “O’Reilly Factor”]()