Hyundai Maintenance Cost Guide
Hyundai owners can expect to pay low routine maintenance costs at an average of $468 yearly across all models, compared to the industry-wide average of $652.
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Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- Hyundai makes it easy to care for your vehicle with a complimentary maintenance plan as part of the factory warranty.
- Some common vehicle issues reported by Hyundai owners include problems with the engine, transmission, and brake pads.
- After your factory warranty expires, you become responsible for regular maintenance unless you purchase additional coverage.
RepairPal puts the Hyundai maintenance cost at $468 per year, depending on vehicle age, mileage, location, and shop. Hyundai is known for reliability, but owners will still need to budget for repair and maintenance costs.
Every new Hyundai comes with a factory warranty, which provides basic coverage for a limited number of years. But if you’re looking for further coverage and peace of mind, there are many extended warranties that offer prolonged protection.
We’ve researched and compiled a list of the best extended car warranty providers. When deciding on a contract like an extended warranty, it’s smart to compare brands and get quotes from several companies.
General Hyundai Maintenance
Hyundai vehicle maintenance guides suggest owners carry out services at recommended intervals. These services can be administered by factory-trained and certified Hyundai technicians, who strictly observe all factory requirements.
For all vehicles with a 2000 model year or newer, Hyundai provides a recommended maintenance schedule, which is based on the vehicle’s style, engine, total mileage, and other factors.
For the most part, Hyundai owner manuals require service every 6,000 to 8,000 miles depending on the vehicle and driving conditions.
The recommended service schedule for a 2023 Hyundai Elantra is in the table below. Keep in mind that many parts that only need inspections early on may need repairs later in the car’s life.
| Mileage Recommendation | Maintenance Items |
|---|---|
| Every 8,000 miles | Engine oil and oil filter change, tire rotations, inspect air conditioning system, inspect battery, brake pads, driveshaft, steering, and suspension |
| Every 16,000 miles | In-cabin air filter replacement, larger multi-point inspection including fuel system, fuel tank, and parking brake |
| Every 48,000 miles | Replace brake fluid and spark plugs |
| At 120,000 miles | Replace coolant |
Annual Average Hyundai Maintenance Costs
A study from the American Automobile Association (AAA) showed that the average maintenance cost across all new vehicles in 2023 was $1,475 per year. For small sedans, the average maintenance cost in 2023 is $1,367.
According to data from Edmunds.com, the annual average maintenance cost of a Hyundai ranges from $42 for a 2022 Accent to $240 for a 2021 Sonata during the first year of ownership. These numbers increase to $1,336 and $1,054 by the fifth year, respectively. Although costs vary by model and year, Hyundai costs are on par with the national average.
Hyundai Complimentary Maintenance
Even without its comparatively low maintenance costs, Hyundai makes it easy to care for your vehicle with its complimentary maintenance plan. Part of the Hyundai Assurance program, the plan covers factory scheduled maintenance for up to 3 years/36,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Each complimentary maintenance service includes engine oil changes and oil filter replacements, tire rotations, multi-point inspections, and several other services. After free maintenance runs out, you can get Hyundai’s prepaid maintenance plan to cover service up to 7 years/105,000 miles.
Common Hyundai Repairs
For the most part, Hyundai has proven to be reliable. However, Hyundai owners have still encountered some issues. According to CarComplaints, some of the most common problems across different Hyundai models and years are:
- Engine issues, including seizure: If not diagnosed and repaired right away, these problems can lead to engine failure and engine replacement, which can cost up to $4,500 $5,150 for some Hyundai models.
- Transmission problems: Some Hyundai owners have reported transmission issues, like not being able to accelerate after stopping. If not covered under warranty, repairs for this issue may cost around $600.
- Rotors and brake pads: Many Hyundai owners have complained about needing to replace their brake pads due to a grinding noise. Brake pad problems cost about $310 to fix. While this may seem minimal, given the high usage of the component, brake pad repair will likely have to be repeated throughout the lifespan of the car.
Repair Cost Comparison: Hyundai Models
Knowing the annual Hyundai maintenance costs and repair costs is helpful before you commit to a potential purchase. RepairPal data provides annual costs for various Hyundai models and types, and we’ve compared them to the average annual repair costs across all cars.
| Hyundai Model | Type | Hyundai Annual Repair Cost | Average Annual Repair Cost For Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elantra | Compact | $452 | $526 |
| Tucson | Compact SUV | $426 | $521 |
| Sonata | Midsize | $458 | $526 |
| Santa Fe | Midsize SUV | $515 | $573 |
As part of the 2020 CarMD® Vehicle Health Index™ Make and Model Reliability Rankings, CarMD lists the Top 100 Vehicles in the United States based on the lowest average “check engine light”-related repair costs. Hyundai has 9 different models included in the list:
| Rank | Hyundai Model | Average Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2018 Tucson | $33.80 |
| 8 | 2017 Tucson | $75.35 |
| 18 | 2018 Kona | $99.33 |
| 24 | 2016 Tucson | $108.13 |
| 48 | 2015 Genesis | $137.50 |
| 51 | 2019 Kona | $141.27 |
| 76 | 2013 Elantra GT | $160.49 |
| 83 | 2010 Sonata | $166.22 |
| 100 | 2012 Tucson | $174.73 |
Repair Cost Comparison: Hyundai Vs. Similar Brands
Hyundai is known for having some of the most affordable repair costs among all automobile brands. Ever since CarMD began conducting its Vehicle Health Index Make and Model Reliability Rankings in 2011, Hyundai has placed within the top five for highest reliability and lowest average repair costs.
The brand even placed first for three of the CarMD’s nine ranking years (2013, 2016, and 2017) with its lowest average at $306 in 2017. In 2020, Hyundai landed in the fourth spot, but its annual repair costs still averaged a reasonable $352 – only a $30 increase over Kia, which was ranked first. The following chart compares Hyundai’s average repair costs in 2020 (the most recent ranking year) against other affordable brands:
| Brand | Average Check Engine Light Repair Cost |
|---|---|
| Kia | $322 |
| Chrysler | $333 |
| Mazda | $339 |
| Hyundai | $352 |
| Dodge | $355 |
How Long Do Hyundai Vehicles Last?
In addition to its consistently high reliability rating from CarMD, Hyundai is also listed as the third most dependable compact car by the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Vehicle Dependability StudySM in 2023. In overall dependability rankings, however, Hyundai fell from the third position in the 2022 study to eighth place in 2023.
Additionally, in the U.S. News & World Report’s 2023 Best Cars for the Money Awards, four of the twelve winners were Hyundai models. The outlet ranked cars based on their quality and value, and gave awards to the Elantra Hybrid, Santa Fe, Palisade, and Kona.
With its overall reliability, maintenance plan, and manufacturer’s warranty, it’s clear that Hyundai is committed to longevity.
How Do Extended Warranties Help With Costs?
All car warranties serve one overall purpose: to give the owner peace of mind. If you plan to keep your Hyundai beyond the original factory warranty coverage, we recommend purchasing an extended auto warranty plan.
These vehicle service contracts protect you from costly bills due to breakdowns. While they’re not designed to cut down on regular maintenance costs, extended warranties can be lifesavers when it comes to expensive repairs.
Aside from protecting most major components, extended warranties can be further tailored to your preferred amount of coverage, time, mileage, and other details. For example, you can opt to include coverage for high-tech components like front- and rear-view cameras, navigation systems, and more.
Most plans include additional services, such as 24/7 roadside assistance or reimbursement for a rental car in case yours is in the shop. Many extended warranty providers will also take care of all paperwork and payment associated with repairs.
With the right extended car warranty, the coverage, extra service, and peace of mind are worth the price. Hyundai offers factory and extended warranty coverage for all new car purchases and CPO warranty coverage for select used car purchases. Coverage is also available from third-party warranty companies.
Our Manufacturer Extended Warranty Survey
In December 2023, our team polled 1,000 drivers with automaker warranty coverage, including Hyundai contract holders. A total of 55 respondents had Hyundai extended warranty plans. We asked consumers how much they paid for their coverage, and here’s what they reported:
- 25 percent reported paying under $1,000
- 25 percent reported paying $1,000 to $2,000
- 24 percent reported paying $2,000 to $3,000
- 7 percent reported paying $3,000 to $4,000
- 5 percent reported paying $4,000 to $5,000
- 13 percent were unsure how much they had paid
Pricing can vary widely depending on the level of coverage you choose.
Drivers were mostly satisfied with the level of coverage selected. One contract holder with an Elantra that had between 50,000 and 100,000 miles said, “Everything is great, no problems. I submitted a claim for a new transmission. It was approved and I was very happy.”
Recommended Car Warranty Providers
While most car manufacturers or dealers offer extended warranty plans during the sale of the vehicle, there are many reasons to go with a third-party provider.
The biggest benefit of a third-party provider is flexibility. Extended warranties from third-party providers open your options – you can request your preferred the type of coverage or duration, and a provider will work to find a plan to fit your needs.
Third-party providers also have a wider network of repair shops. You can usually choose any licensed repair shop including Hyundai dealerships for auto repairs.
Jump-start your search for the best third-party extended warranty providers by reading our in-depth reviews, including ones for top choices Endurance, CarShield, and Carchex.
Hyundai Auto Maintenance Cost: FAQ
Here are some commonly asked questions about Hyundai maintenance costs:
Are Hyundais expensive to maintain?
Hyundais are not expensive to maintain. RepairPal ranks the brand in 4th place for reliability out of 32 car brands, and owners pay an average of $468 per year for repairs and maintenance. This is cheaper than the industry average of $652 per year.
What is the maintenance cost of Hyundai cars?
The average owner pays about $468 per year to maintain a Hyundai according to RepairPal. Different models have different costs, too. For example, the Elantra costs about $452 annually while the Santa Fe costs $515.
Which car is cheapest to maintain?
According to RepairPal, Honda is the cheapest car brand to maintain. Drivers pay an average of $428 per year for maintenance and repairs, and some Honda models cost even less than that.
Methodology
In an effort to provide accurate and unbiased information to consumers, our expert review team collects data from dozens of extended auto warranty companies to formulate rankings of the best providers. Companies receive a score in each of the following categories, as well as an overall weighted score out of 5.0 stars.
- Industry Standing: Warranty providers with a history of strong business practices and endorsements from experts receive the highest scores in this category.
- Coverage: This rating is based on the types of extended warranty plans available, coverage terms, and added benefits like roadside assistance.
- Cost: Our research team reviews sample quotes for a variety of plans and vehicles. Companies with lower prices per year of coverage receive the best scores.
- Transparency: This score takes into account contract transparency and the availability of a money-back guarantee.
- Customer Service: We comb through customer reviews and perform our own shopper analysis to get a sense of the responsiveness and helpfulness of each warranty company.
*Data accurate at time of publication.
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