GMC Maintenance: Cost, Plans and Service Schedule
GMCs tend to have above-average maintenance costs
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GMC vehicles tend to be slightly more expensive to maintain than the average vehicle, though some models may be more costly to repair. Continue reading to learn more about typical GMC maintenance and repair costs, recommended service schedules and how GMC costs compare to other cars’ maintenance costs.
It costs $744 per year on average to maintain a GMC vehicle, according to RepairPal.
Jump to insightGMC vehicles have average reliability compared to other vehicles, according to RepairPal.
Jump to insightGMC offers several extended warranty plans and pre-paid maintenance plans.
Jump to insightAre GMCs expensive to maintain?
Maintenance is an unavoidable cost of car ownership, so it’s an important consideration when choosing one brand over another. For GMC, the average cost of maintaining a vehicle is around $744 per year, according to RepairPal.
If you purchase or lease a new GMC vehicle, your first-year maintenance costs will be lower since your first scheduled maintenance visit is covered by GMC. 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 maintenance costs for other SUVs, though some costs may be higher or lower, depending on the model.
Example: 2023 GMC Sierra 1500
The table below shows typical maintenance costs for a 2023 GMC Sierra 1500. All quotes are for Tulsa, Oklahoma.
| Service | Cost estimate |
|---|---|
| Oil change and filter | $229 to $307 |
| Tire rotation | $49 to $72 |
| Spark plug replacement (5.3 liter, 8 cylinder engine) | $390 to $535 |
Source: RepairPal, fair price estimate tool
GMC maintenance schedule
The recommended maintenance schedule will vary depending on which model you have. You can check your owner’s manual for your model’s recommended maintenance schedule or GMC’s website.
Example: 2023 GMC Sierra 1500
The table below shows selected items from GMC’s recommended maintenance schedule for a 2023 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 GMC Sierra 1500. All quotes are for Tulsa, Oklahoma.
| Service | Cost estimate |
|---|---|
| Timing belt replacement for 4WD vehicle (includes skid plate and oil pump drive belt) | $1,701 to $2,476 |
| Front brake pad and rotor replacement, both sides | $936 to $1,033 |
| Alternator replacement (5.3 liter, 8 cylinder engine) | $589 to $692 |
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 on it. 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, it may be helpful to get an extended warranty 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 Pre-Paid Maintenance plan and a Tire & Wheel Protection plan:
- Pre-Paid Maintenance plan: Comes in two versions with terms ranging from two to seven years
- Tire & 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’re located and where you go to get an oil change. Generally, getting an oil change at a dealership will cost more than getting an oil change 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 and regular maintenance and repairs.
Is the GMC maintenance plan worth it?
A GMC Pre-Paid Maintenance plan can be worth it if you’re looking for peace of mind for potential expensive repair costs. The standard version covers oil and filter changes, tire rotations and multi-point 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 plans can be easily cancelled or transferred 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:
- RepairPal, “GMC Reliability Rating.” Accessed Dec. 27, 2025.
- RepairPal, “GMC Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Dec. 27, 2025.
- RepairPal, “Toyota Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Dec. 27, 2025.
- RepairPal, “Ford Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Dec. 27, 2025.
- RepairPal, “Chevrolet Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Dec. 27, 2025.
- RepairPal, “Lexus Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Dec. 27, 2025.
- RepairPal, “BMW Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Dec. 27, 2025.
- RepairPal, “GMC Acadia Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Dec. 27, 2025.
- RepairPal, “GMC Sierra 1500 Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Dec. 27, 2025.
- RepairPal, “GMC Terrain Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Dec. 27, 2025.
- RepairPal, “GMC Yukon Repair & Maintenance Costs.” Accessed Dec. 27, 2025.
- RepairPal, “Get a Free Car Repair Estimate.” Accessed Dec. 27, 2025.
