Are GMCs expensive to maintain?
Maintenance is an unavoidable cost of car ownership, so it’s an important consideration when choosing one brand over another. According to RepairPal, the average cost to maintain a GMC is about $744 per year.
If you purchase or lease a new GMC vehicle, your first-year maintenance costs will be lower because GMC covers your first scheduled maintenance visit. This first visit includes a tire rotation and multi-point inspection.
How GMC compares with other automakers
GMC vehicles tend to cost more than Chevrolet, Toyota and Lexus vehicles for average maintenance and repair costs, though they tend to be similar in cost to Fords and less expensive than BMWs.
| Make | Average maintenance and repair cost |
|---|---|
| GMC | $744 per year |
| Chevrolet | $649 per year |
| Toyota | $441 per year |
| Ford | $775 per year |
| Lexus | $551 per year |
| BMW | $968 per year |
GMC maintenance and repair costs by model
The table below shows how average maintenance and repair costs vary for different GMC models.
| Model | Average maintenance and repair cost |
|---|---|
| GMC Acadia | $734 per year |
| GMC Sierra 1500 | $727 per year |
| GMC Terrain | $558 per year |
| GMC Yukon | $747 per year |
» MORE: Average car maintenance costs
GMC maintenance cost and schedule
GMC’s routine maintenance schedule looks very typical for your average truck or SUV.
GMC maintenance cost
GMC maintenance costs are fairly similar to those of other SUVs, though some costs may be higher or lower depending on the model.
Example: 2024 GMC Sierra 1500
The table below shows typical maintenance costs for a gas-powered 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. All quotes are for Austin, Texas.
| Service | Cost estimate |
|---|---|
| Oil change and filter | $88 to $124 |
| Tire rotation | $61 to $90 |
| Spark plug replacement (5.3 liter, 8 cylinder engine) | $461 to $656 |
Source: RepairPal, fair price estimate tool
GMC maintenance schedule
The recommended maintenance schedule varies by model. You can check your owner’s manual for your model’s recommended maintenance schedule or GMC’s website.
Example: GMC Sierra 1500
The table below shows selected items from GMC’s recommended maintenance schedule for a GMC Sierra 1500.
| Service | Schedule |
|---|---|
| Check engine oil | Every 7,500 miles |
| Change oil and filter | Once a year |
| Tire rotation | Every 7,500 miles |
| Replace passenger compartment air filter | Every 22,500 miles or two years, whichever comes first |
| Replace spark plugs | Every 60,000 miles for 2.7L L4 Turbo engines; every 97,500 miles for 5.3L and 6.2L V8 engines |
| Replace hood or body lift support gas struts | Every 100,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first |
| Change transfer case fluid | Every 100,000 miles |
| Drain and fill engine cooling system | Every 150,000 miles or 6 years, whichever comes first |
GMC repair costs
RepairPal gives GMC vehicles 3 out of 5 stars for reliability, which is an average score. It also reports that GMC vehicles tend to have higher-than-average maintenance costs compared to other vehicles, along with more severe repairs.
Example: GMC Sierra 1500
The table below shows some typical repair costs for a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500. All quotes are for Austin, Texas.
| Service | Cost estimate |
|---|---|
| Timing belt replacement for 4WD vehicle (includes skid plate and oil pump drive belt) | $1,605 to $2,334 |
| Front brake pad and rotor replacement, both sides | $960 to $1,060 |
| Alternator replacement (5.3 liter, 8 cylinder engine) | $644 to $773 |
Source: RepairPal, fair price estimate tool
How can an extended warranty help?
For context, all new GMC vehicles come with the following factory warranties:
A 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, which covers most parts if they fail due to factory defects
A 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty, which covers the engine, transmission and drive axle(s)
Factory warranties follow the car, not the driver, so if you buy a lightly used GMC, it may still have some factory warranty protection. And if you suffer a breakdown or a part failure under warranty, your cost out of pocket could be $0.
But if your GMC is no longer under warranty, an extended warranty may be worth it for peace of mind. In general, an extended warranty is more likely to be worth it for vehicles with:
Short factory warranties
High repair costs
Average (or worse) reputation for reliability
GMC extended warranty plans
You can purchase a GMC extended warranty plan, called the GMC Protection Plan. This plan comes in three versions: Powertrain, Silver and Platinum. Powertrain plans are available in terms of up to eight years or 120,000 miles, while Silver and Platinum plans are available in terms of up to eight years or 100,000 miles.
GMC maintenance and protection plans
GMC also offers a prepaid maintenance plan and a tire and wheel protection plan:
Prepaid maintenance plan: Comes in two versions with terms ranging from two to seven years
Tire and wheel protection plan: Can get coverage for one to seven years
Third-party extended warranty plan
For a GMC vehicle, typical costs range from about $1,000 to $1,200 per year for a third-party extended warranty plan, though costs vary depending on factors like the model, mileage, age, deductible and location. These costs are comparable to the typical cost of an extended warranty for all brands, which is about $1,000 per year.
FAQ
How much is a GMC oil change?
A GMC oil change typically costs around $200 to $300, though costs may be lower or higher depending on the GMC model, where you live and where you get the oil change. Generally, an oil change at a dealership costs more than at a local mechanic.
What is considered high mileage for a GMC?
GMCs can last over 200,000 miles and potentially up to 300,000 miles with proper care, regular maintenance and repairs.
Is the GMC maintenance plan worth it?
A GMC prepaid maintenance plan can be worth it if you want peace of mind about potentially expensive repairs. The standard version covers oil and filter changes, tire rotations and multipoint inspections, while the Plus version covers all of that and cabin air filters, engine air filters, brake fluid and wiper blades. Both versions offer several term options, and you can easily cancel plans or transfer them to a new owner.
Article sources
ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, industry experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. Specific sources for this article include:
GMC, “Vehicle Warranty and Protection Plans.” Accessed Oct. 1, 2026.
RepairPal, “GMC Reliability Rating.” Accessed Oct. 1, 2026.
RepairPal, “GMC Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Oct. 1, 2026.
RepairPal, “Toyota Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Oct. 1, 2026.
RepairPal, “Ford Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Oct. 1, 2026.
RepairPal, “Chevrolet Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Oct. 1, 2026.
RepairPal, “Lexus Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Oct. 1, 2026.
RepairPal, “BMW Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Oct. 1, 2026.
RepairPal, “GMC Acadia Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Oct. 1, 2026.
RepairPal, “GMC Sierra 1500 Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Oct. 1, 2026.
RepairPal, “GMC Terrain Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Oct. 1, 2026.
RepairPal, “GMC Yukon Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Oct. 1, 2026.
RepairPal, “Get a Free Car Repair Estimate.” Accessed Oct. 1, 2026.
