When you’re trying to budget for your GMC vehicle, you should consider several factors. One that many new owners overlook is the annual GMC maintenance cost to keep their vehicle in peak condition. While GMC vehicles are fairly reliable, maintenance and repair costs can still be costly.
In this article, we’ll discuss average annual GMC maintenance costs in detail. We’ll also explain the manufacturer-recommended service schedule, the cost of GMC repairs, and how extended car warranties can lower your overall ownership expenses.
Extended warranties foot the bill for costly repairs, and if you purchase a contract from one of the best extended car warranty companies, you’ll also receive a variety of benefits and top-notch customer service. To see how much you would pay for coverage, get free quotes from the industry’s highest-rated providers.
Average Annual GMC Maintenance Cost
According to RepairPal, GMC drivers pay an average annual repair cost of $744, which is relatively costly compared to the industry average of $652. This average takes both routine maintenance, like oil changes and tire rotations, and unexpected repairs such as a pump replacement into account.
Of course, how often your vehicle will need repairs depends on several factors, including the vehicle’s age, mileage and model. Additionally, your annual GMC maintenance cost will vary based on location as well. To give you a better idea of how GMC ownership costs can vary, we’ve compared a few models and their average annual maintenance bill below.
| GMC Model | Reliability Rating | Average Annual GMC Maintenance Costs |
|---|---|---|
| GMC Yukon | 3.0 out of 5.0 | $747 |
| GMC Acadia | 3.0 out of 5.0 | $734 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | 3.0 out of 5.0 | $727 |
| GMC Savana 2500 | 3.0 out of 5.0 | $1,114 |
GMC maintenance costs also depend on the service interval. Depending on what work needs to be performed, you may pay upward of $300 in maintenance services. Using data from RepairPal, we detailed the average service costs for one of GMC’s signature vehicles – the GMC Yukon XL. Remember that these are just averages, and your actual GMC maintenance cost may vary.
| Maintenance Service | GMC Maintenance Cost |
|---|---|
| Oil change | $142 to $152 |
| Tire rotation | $35 to $44 |
| Spark plug replacement | $276 to $338 |
| Air filter | $57 to $66 |
| Cabin air filter | $60 to $82 |
| Brake pad replacement | $314 to $362 |
| Coolant flush/change | $158 to $200 |
GMC Recommended Maintenance Schedule
If you’re looking to keep your GMC maintenance costs down, it’s best to follow the manufacturer-recommended maintenance schedule. Not only do you risk running up extra repair costs if you don’t adhere to GMC’s recommended service intervals, but you can also void your factory or extended warranty.
Below, we detailed a sample 2017 GMC Yukon maintenance schedule according to the manufacturer, so you have a better idea of what to expect whenever you’re taking your vehicle in for service.
| Service Interval | Recommended Maintenance Services |
|---|---|
| Every 7,500 miles | Oil and filter change, tire rotation, and a safety inspection |
| At 22,500 miles | Oil and filter change, tire rotation, safety inspection, and passenger air filter replacement |
| Every 45,000 miles | Oil and filter change, tire rotation, engine air filter replacement, transmission fluid flush, transmission filter replacement, transfer case fluid replacement, and a safety inspection |
| At 97,500 miles | Spark plug replacement |
| At 150,000 miles | Engine cooling system drain and various systems inspection |
The best place to find your specific vehicle’s service intervals is in the owner’s manual. But if you can’t find the owner’s manual or simply don’t have one, you can find your maintenance schedule on the My GMC website as well.
Vehicle Repairs and the GMC Maintenance Cost
Regardless of how well you take care of your vehicle, replacements and repairs are necessary as the vehicle ages. While some repairs are inexpensive, such as replacing a gas cover, others are far more costly.
Below, we broke down several commonly reported repair costs for different GMC vehicles. These maintenance estimates use data from RepairPal and include both parts and labor costs.
| GMC Model | Repair | GMC Maintenance Cost |
|---|---|---|
| GMC Envoy | Fuel pump replacement | $666 to $825 |
| GMC Envoy | Blower motor resistor replacement | $117 to $152 |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | Fuel pump replacement | $877 to $975 |
| GMC Yukon | Wheel speed sensor replacement | $145 to $170 |
How Can an Extended Warranty Lower GMC Maintenance Costs?
If you’re worried about how much you need to budget for potential automotive repairs, you’re not alone. While GMC vehicles are more reliable than most, repairs can be more expensive due to the larger size of GMC vehicles. If you’re worried about unexpected costs, a great way to have a set budget for repairs each month is to buy an extended car warranty.
An extended warranty, also called a vehicle protection plan, pays for covered repairs after your original warranty expires. You’re only responsible for a deductible and the cost of the warranty contract.
When you’re considering an extended warranty, you can choose between two types: a GMC-backed extended warranty and a third-party extended warranty. We’ll break down both options below.
GMC Extended Warranties
GMC offers two extended warranties, but both options have strict eligibility requirements. These coverage plans include the GMC Extended Limited Warranty and the GMC Platinum Protection Plan.
The GMC Extended Limited Warranty extends the bumper-to-bumper warranty to 5 years/60,000 miles. However, the GMC Extended Limited Warranty does not extend the powertrain warranty.
The GMC Platinum Protection Plan protects vehicles with up to 80,000 miles on the odometer. However, this warranty does not cover every component. Additionally, you might have to pay a deductible every time you use it. For more information, read our full GMC extended warranty review.
Third-Party Warranties for GMC Vehicles
If the GMC extended warranty doesn’t suit your needs, or your vehicle isn’t eligible for either option, you’re not out of luck. Reputable third-party warranty companies also offer high-quality protection for new and used GMC vehicles.
Third-party warranties have a few advantages over GMC-backed warranties, including:
- They cover higher-mileage and older vehicles.
- They offer a wider selection of authorized repair shops.
- Coverage premiums are often cheaper.
- Some plans cover maintenance and repair costs.
Best Options for Extended GMC Protection
While there are multiple options for extended warranties, some plans are better than others. Additionally, not every vehicle is eligible for every extended warranty plan, and you need to shop around for a reliable brand you can trust.
Below, we’ve highlighted two of our top-rated third-party warranty providers for GMC vehicles: Endurance and CARCHEX.
Endurance: Best Provider
Endurance earned the No. 1 spot in our industry-wide extended warranty review. We give the company a 9.6 out of 10.0 rating based on its strong industry reputation, affordable plans and wide variety of coverage options. Endurance offers terms lengths up to 200,000 miles.
Read our comprehensive Endurance warranty review for more information. You can also click below for a free, no-obligation quote.
CARCHEX: Best for High-Mileage Cars
CARCHEX is our recommended pick for GMC drivers with high-mileage vehicles. The provider offers several warranty plans for new and used cars. CARCHEX is backed by industry leaders like Kelley Blue Book, Edmunds.com and CARFAX.
If you’re looking for more information, read our full CARCHEX review, and click below for a free, no-obligation quote.
Methodology
The Detroit Bureau collects data from every major car warranty provider to formulate rankings of the best warranty companies. Our in-depth rating system takes into account coverage, pricing, transparency, customer satisfaction and ratings from industry experts. Each provider is given a weighted score in five categories, as well as an overall score out of 10.0.
We recommend auto warranty companies based on these rankings, but we also encourage you to perform your own research and compare quotes to find the best coverage.
