Heavy-Duty Truck Maintenance Costs Surge 27% Since 2020, Tariffs Threaten Deeper Increases

Key Details Maintenance costs for heavy-duty trucks have climbed 27.4% over the past five years, with parts up 23.8% and labor costs jumping 33.5%, according to the Q4 2025 Decisiv/TMC Parts and Labor Service Benchmark Report. A truck that cost $1,000 monthly to maintain in 2020 now runs roughly $1,274 for identical work. The recent 1.3% dip in combined costs reflects fewer miles run during the freight recession, not actual price relief. Tariff Impact New Section 232 tariffs effective November 1, 2025, add up to $35,000 to imported Class 8 truck prices, pushing total acquisition costs near $238,000. More critical for daily operations: tariff-related price increases are already flowing through parts pricing before tariffs fully take effect. Raw material costs for steel and aluminum have risen alongside tariff announcements, with firms attributing 40% of 2025-2026 unit cost growth to tariff effects. What You Need to Know Supply chain anxiety pricing is happening now. Distributors and parts manufacturers are raising prices preemptively to hedge against disruptions, not just responding to actual shortages. Fleets should review maintenance contracts and inventory strategies immediately. Delaying equipment purchases or maintenance work could backfire if tariff impacts deepen through 2026.