GMC Extended Warranty Overview
GMC offers three extended warranty plans that last for up to 8 years or 100,000 miles.
With our #1 rated provider, 
Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- The average cost of a GMC extended warranty is $1,744, which is on the cheaper side for extended warranty plans from manufacturers.
- GMC vehicles have an average annual repair cost of $744, which is a bit higher than the industry average of $652.
- Considering its unlimited mileage and wide variety of plans, Endurance is the best third-party warranty company for GMCs.
Whether you’re looking for a new GMC, thinking of buying one used, or are a current owner, a GMC extended warranty can provide peace of mind that repairs are covered. Read on for a full breakdown of the GMC extended warranty and additional recommendations. We’ll also explain the differences between GMC extended warranties offered at dealerships and those from the best car warranty companies.
GMC Extended Warranty
The GMC extended warranty can cover up to 8 years or 100,000 miles from the original in-service date, which is quite a bit more than the GMC factory warranty of 3 years/36,000 miles. You have three options for coverage: Platinum, Silver, or Powertrain. All of these come with the same added benefits like roadside assistance and rental car coverage.
GMC Extended Warranty Plans
Below is an overview of what the GMC extended warranty plans cover.
| Protection Plan Name | Description of Coverage |
|---|---|
|
Platinum |
The Platinum Protection Plan is a bumper-to-bumper vehicle service contract (VSC), which means it covers almost any mechanical breakdown except for a small list of exclusions as outlined in the contract. Essentially, if you don’t see a GMC component listed in your contract, you can consider it covered. |
|
Silver |
The Silver Protection Plan is a good mid-level option that covers many major systems of the vehicle. This includes everything under the Powertrain Plan, plus the front and rear suspension, the electrical, steering, brakes and more. |
|
Powertrain |
The Powertrain Protection Plan covers the basic components that move your car forward. These include the engine, transmission, drive axle, and hybrid drive components. |
GMC also offers a variation of the Platinum plan for electric vehicles like the Hummer EV SUV and Hummer EV Pickup. The plan is called the EV Protection Plan and it covers any breakdown except for exclusions.
What’s Not Covered by the GMC Extended Warranty?
Here are the general things the GMC Protection Plan won’t cover, no matter the level of coverage:
- Damage from accidents, the environment, or misuse
- Aftermarket modifications
- Damage from lack of maintenance
- Regular maintenance services
- Parts prone to wear out like brake pads and wiper blades
This list is actually very standard across the warranty industry as a whole. GMC’s protection plans also won’t cover any pre-existing mechanical issues.
GMC Extended Warranty Benefits
All plans come with the following perks:
- Roadside assistance: This 24-hour service covers lockout assistance, battery jump-starts, fuel deliveries, towings, and spare tire installations up to different limits.
- Trip interruption: This covers food and lodging costs up to $200 per day for five days if you have a breakdown over 100 miles from home.
- Rental car coverage: This helps pay for a rental car or alternate transportation for $40 per day up to 10 days when your car is in the shop.
These three benefits are standard on most manufacturer extended warranties.
GMC Extended Warranty Terms and Conditions
You can purchase a GMC Protection Plan as long as your vehicle has at least 1,000 miles and 30 days left of the factory warranty period (which lasts 3 years/36,000 miles). If you get the plan when you purchase your vehicle, you can finance the cost into your auto loan. GMC offers multiple deductibles including a $0 option.
You can cancel a GMC Protection Plan within 30 days and get your money back. You’ll get a prorated refund after that point. The plan is also transferable to secondary owners for a $50 fee.
GMC’s protection plans are administered by Safe-Guard Products International and you can go to your GMC dealer or another authorized facility for repairs. This may include other GM brand dealers like Chevrolet and Buick. GMC’s extended warranty contract doesn’t list examples of other authorized repair facilities, so you should contact Safe-Guard before taking your car to a non-GMC location.
GMC Extended Warranty Maintenance Plans
GMC offers two maintenance plans for gas/hybrid vehicles and three for EVs.
| Maintenance Plan Option | Term Length | Coverage Details |
|---|---|---|
|
Pre-Paid Maintenance |
24 to 72 months |
Includes engine oil/oil filter replacement, tire rotation, and multi-point vehicle inspection |
|
Pre-Paid Maintenance Plus |
24 to 72 months |
Includes engine oil/oil filter replacement, tire rotation, multi-point vehicle inspection, cabin air filters, engine air filters, brake fluid, windshield wiper blades, and more (must purchase before first vehicle service) |
|
EV Pre-Paid Maintenance |
36 months |
Includes annual regenerative brakes, battery coolant, and charging socket inspection plus tire rotations, one wiper blade replacement and one cabin air filter replacement |
|
EV Pre-Paid Maintenance Plus |
36 months |
Includes annual regenerative brakes, battery coolant, and charging socket inspection plus tire rotations, two wiper blade replacements, two cabin air filter replacement, and wheel alignment |
|
EV Pre-Paid Maintenance Premium |
36 months |
Includes everything from EV Pre-Paid Maintenance Plus and adds one set of brake pads, front and rear brake rotors, brake fluid flush, EV battery coolant flush, and 12-volt battery replacement |
More GMC Protection Products
GMC offers a few more protection plans that help out in different situations.
- Gap Coverage: Waives some or all of the remaining balance on your auto loan if you total the vehicle
- Tire and Wheel Protection: Repairs or replaces damaged tires and wheels if you hit a covered road hazard
- Advanced Protection: Covers wearable items like brake pads and headlamps
- XS Wear Lease Protection: Covers common wear-and-tear items so you avoid fees when turning in a lease
GMC Extended Warranty Vs. Factory Warranty
The main difference between a factory and extended GMC warranty is that the extended warranty is a separate purchase. GMC’s Platinum Protection Plan is the closest to the factory coverage, since it includes any breakdown except for exclusions.
GMC New Car Warranty
GMC has a relatively comprehensive warranty, but it only lasts for the first few years of vehicle ownership. Below are some details about your GMC manufacturer’s warranty:
| GMC Warranty | What It Covers |
|---|---|
|
New Vehicle Limited Warranty |
GMC provides “bumper-to-bumper” comprehensive coverage for 3 years or 36,000 miles, whichever comes first. This means almost all of the vehicle is protected, with just a short list of exclusions. |
|
Powertrain Limited Warranty |
This warranty covers powertrain components like the engine, transmission, and driveline for 5 years or 60,000 miles. |
|
Corrosion Protection |
GMC offers protection from elemental rust formation on sheet metal for a period of 3 years or 36,000 miles. This protection is designed to protect against rust from the external to the internal. |
|
Rust-Through Protection |
GMC offers protection from rust and corrosion on sheet metal that spreads from the inside to the outside for 6 years or 100,000 miles. This coverage does not include rust from road salts, etc. |
|
Roadside Assistance |
24/7 roadside assistance is available throughout the 5-year/60,000-mile warranty period. |
|
Courtesy Transportation |
Whenever warranty repairs are needed, several transportation options and/or reimbursement of certain transportation expenses are available for your convenience. |
GMC Certified Pre-Owned Warranty
GMC Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicles have to meet specific criteria such as having less than 75,000 miles on the odometer, being less than six model years old, and must pass a 172-point inspection. So buying a CPO GMC is a good way to save money compared to a new car and also have peace of mind that it’s in good shape. GMC offers two warranties plus a maintenance perk on CPO vehicles:
- Bumper-to-bumper: CPO vehicles come with an extra 12 months/12,000 miles of bumper-to-bumper protection. This applies after any remaining factory bumper-to-bumper coverage.
- Powertrain: CPO GMC vehicles get a powertrain warranty of 6 years/100,000 miles from the in-service date.
- Maintenance: GMC covers two maintenance visits that include oil changes, tire rotations, and multi-point inspections.
GMC Extended Warranty Cost
Our team received 221 quotes from GMC, the average cost for a plan is $1,744 with quotes ranging from $1,161 to $3,016. Dividing the average cost by the average number of years covered equates to $401 per year of coverage. This is below the industry average of $632 per year of coverage. Keep in mind this refers to the value of the plan divided by each year. The actual payment terms can vary.
Below are some of the sample quotes we received from GMC for their extended warranty options:
| GMC Vehicle | Current Mileage | Plan | Term | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Terrain | 35,000 | Platinum | 5 years/60,000 | $1,836 |
| 2023 Terrain | 20,000 | Platinum | 3 years/36,000 | $1,207 |
| 2023 Terrain | 20,000 | Platinum | 5 years/60,000 | $1,606 |
| 2022 Yukon | 30,000 | Platinum | 3 years/36,000 | $1,579 |
| 2022 Yukon | 30,000 | Platinum | 5 years/60,000 | $2,482 |
| 2020 Sierra 2500 | 35,000 | Platinum | 3 years/36,000 | $1,452 |
| 2020 Sierra 2500 | 35,000 | Platinum | 5 years/60,000 | $2,119 |
| 2024 Sierra 2500 | 20,000 | Platinum | 3 years/36,000 | $1,252 |
| 2024 Sierra 2500 | 20,000 | Platinum | 5 years/60,000 | $1,801 |
| 2021 Terrain | 35,000 | Silver | 3 years/36,000 | $1,298 |
| 2021 Terrain | 35,000 | Silver | 5 years/60,000 | $1,686 |
| 2023 Terrain | 20,000 | Silver | 3 years/36,000 | $1,183 |
| 2023 Terrain | 20,000 | Silver | 5 years/60,000 | $1,503 |
| 2022 Yukon | 30,000 | Silver | 3 years/36,000 | $1,480 |
| 2022 Yukon | 30,000 | Silver | 5 years/60,000 | $2,204 |
| 2020 Sierra 2500 | 35,000 | Silver | 3 years/36,000 | $1,379 |
| 2020 Sierra 2500 | 35,000 | Silver | 5 years/60,000 | $1,913 |
| 2024 Sierra 2500 | 20,000 | Silver | 3 years/36,000 | $1,219 |
| 2024 Sierra 2500 | 20,000 | Silver | 5 years/60,000 | $1,661 |
| 2021 Terrain | 35,000 | Powertrain | 5 years/60,000 | $1,537 |
| 2023 Terrain | 20,000 | Powertrain | 5 years/60,000 | $1,400 |
| 2023 Terrain | 20,000 | Powertrain | 7 years/100,000 | $1,873 |
| 2022 Yukon | 30,000 | Powertrain | 5 years/60,000 | $1,925 |
| 2020 Sierra 2500 | 35,000 | Powertrain | 5 years/60,000 | $1,707 |
| 2024 Sierra 2500 | 20,000 | Powertrain | 5 years/60,000 | $1,516 |
| 2024 Sierra 2500 | 20,000 | Powertrain | 7 years/100,000 | $2,170 |
What Our Survey Respondents Say About GMC Warranties
In November of 2023, our team surveyed 1,000 people who had purchased an extended warranty from their car’s manufacturer. Out of the total, 21 respondents had purchased a plan from GMC. You can see a few highlights from this survey below.
How Much Did You Pay for a GMC Extended Warranty?
A third of GMC respondents said they bought a plan for under $1,000. This is a higher portion than respondents who had other brands on our survey and it matches our findings that GMC’s warranties are generally affordable. Here are all the answers.
- Under $1,000: 33%
- $1,000 to $2,000: 29%
- $2,000 to $3,000: 19%
- $3,000 to $4,000: 10%
- Over $5,000: 5%
- Not sure: 5%
What Type of GMC Coverage Did You Get?
The majority of respondents purchased a bumper-to-bumper plan, which would be GMC’s Platinum Protection Plan.
- Comprehensive/bumper-to-bumper: 67%
- Mid-level: 19%
- Basic powertrain: 5%
- Not sure: 10%
Quotes From Our Survey
GMC owners on our survey also shared their thoughts on how satisfied they were with coverage. Note, we had no negative responses for this section. Here are a few quotes from respondents:
- “I was very satisfied – especially when the transmission failed.”
- “I’m extremely satisfied with the quality of my warranty.”
- “Very satisfied, I didn’t lose money on it.”
That said, one respondent said they were satisfied with the coverage but not with the price. Pricing can vary significantly depending on the vehicle and condition, so we recommend comparing multiple quotes when you shop.
Should You Buy a GMC Extended Warranty?
Whether or not a warranty is worth it depends on expected repair costs and the car’s reliability. RepairPal and J.D. Power both rank GMC below average for reliability. We just saw GMC’s plans are affordable, so this is a situation where an extended plan is likely to cover repairs for a decent price.
Reliability of GMC Vehicles
A vehicle’s reliability includes things like expected repair frequency and the cost of repairs. Our team uses resources like the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study℠ and RepairPal reliability ratings to help owners decide if a warranty is worth it. Below we’ll use both sources to learn more about GMC vehicles’ reliability.
J.D. Power Reliability Ratings
The J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study℠ polled over 30,000 vehicle owners on their experience with repairs in the first three years of ownership. GMC owners reported an average of 206 issues per 100 vehicles in that time. Compared to the industry average of 190 issues, GMC vehicles are a bit more likely to have problems early on.
RepairPal Reliability Ratings
RepairPal helps vehicle owners find repair shops nationwide and also publishes detailed cost data for many parts and vehicle models. The company ranks GMC in 22nd place out of 32 car brands for overall reliability. This takes into account the average annual cost of repairs and maintenance plus repair frequency and the likelihood of needing a severe repair. Here’s how GMC compares to the industry:
| Category | GMC Ranking | Industry Average |
|---|---|---|
|
Cost of ownership |
$744 |
$652 |
|
Repair frequency |
0.3 times per year |
0.4 times per year |
|
Repair severity |
17% |
12% |
|
Overall reliability ranking |
3.0 out of 5.0 (22nd among 32 car brands) |
3.4 out of 5.0 |
Cost of GMC Repairs
GMC repair costs can vary widely depending on the system and part that fails. You might need a quick fix for a few hundred dollars or a more extensive repair for over a thousand. Below are a few GMC repairs and their average cost ranges according to RepairPal.
| GMC Model | Vehicle Component | Average Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|
|
GMC Acadia |
Radiator fan assembly replacement |
|
|
GMC Sierra 1500 |
Water pump replacement |
|
|
GMC Yukon |
Head gasket replacement |
|
|
GMC Terrain |
AC compressor replacement |
GMC Extended Warranty Vs. a Third-Party Warranty
GMC Protection Plans offer good coverage, but they have some limitations. It can be a good idea to shop around from third-party vehicle service contract providers so you know all your options.
Pros of GMC Extended Warranty
- Covers original manufacturer components and factory-trained technicians
- Affordable cost compared to plans from other brands
- Comes with roadside assistance, rental coverage, and trip interruption
Cons of GMC Extended Warranty
- Only covers repairs at GMC dealers and possibly other GM dealers
- Maximum coverage ends at 100,000 miles
Pros of Third-Party Warranty
- Many companies offer four to six plans
- Some companies can cover 300,000 miles or more
- Covers repairs at any licensed mechanic
Cons of Third-Party Warranty
- Original factory parts aren’t guaranteed
- Plans can be more expensive than GMC plans
Our Experience Buying Third-Party Warranties
To get a better sense of the extended warranty process, our team purchased plans from five third-party providers. We bought plans over the phone from autopom!, Carchex, CarShield, and Endurance, and we bought a plan online from Olive. Below is a summary of our experiences.
| Third-Party Company | Plan | Price | Coverage Terms | Our Buying Experience | Cancellation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Exclusionary (comprehensive) |
$135 for 15 months |
5 years/unlimited miles |
The salesperson was helpful and patient, though it took a few calls to reach a live person |
Cancellation by phone was easy and we received email confirmation |
|
|
Titanium (comprehensive) |
$140 per month |
Month-to-month |
The agent was helpful and not pushy about buying right away |
Smooth cancellation process |
|
|
Silver (powertrain) |
$159 per month |
Month-to-month |
Rep was helpful though they pushed the Diamond plan instead |
Cancellation was easy within 30 days |
|
|
Secure Plus (mid-level) |
$150 for 30 months |
4 years/48,000 miles |
Easy experience overall, though salesperson pushed Supreme plan at first |
Cancellation within 30 days was quick with the policy number |
|
|
Powertrain |
$35 for 36 months |
3 years/185,000 maximum miles |
100% online purchase was easy to do in under an hour |
Canceled via email easily, though contracts say mailing cancellation is required |
*The Carchex plan applies to a 2019 Jeep Wrangler with 49,313 miles. All others apply to a 2021 BMW X5 with 26,000 miles.
Editor’s Note: On July 31, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission announced that CarShield will pay $10 million to settle FTC charges that its advertisements and telemarketing for vehicle service contracts are deceptive and misleading, and that many purchasers found that repairs were not covered. In response, the Motor1 Reviews team reevaluated CarShield’s rating to better reflect its industry standing and transparency with consumers.
What Our Survey Data Says About Buying Third-Party Warranties
Our team surveyed 1,000 people in the second quarter of 2024 who had bought an extended warranty from a third-party company or manufacturer.
Here’s what third-party warranty customers said about their coverage in our survey:
Who Is Your Extended Warranty Provider?
CarShield was the most popular third-party extended warranty company in our survey. However, the provider is currently being charged by the Federal Trade Commission for deceptive and misleading marketing tactics.
- CarShield: 33%
- Auto manufacturer: 30%
- Endurance: 8%EasyCare Warranty: 8%
- Carchex: 7%
- American Dream Auto Protect: 4%
- Omega Auto Care: 4%Other: 6%
Why Did You Buy an Extended Warranty?
Popular reasons for buying a warranty include the dealership recommending one or an expired factory warranty.
- My existing warranty coverage expired: 23%
- I anticipated my car’s repair needs: 20%
- I saw an ad for extended car warranty coverage: 9%
- The dealership recommended a warranty for my car: 29%
- I want to maintain my car’s resale value: 15%
- I recently paid for a major repair: 3%
- Other: 1%
How Much Did You Pay for the Warranty?
Most people paid between $1,000 and $3,000 for their warranty, while a minority paid below $1,000 or more than $4,000.
- Less than $1,000: 11 percent
- Between $1,000 and $1,500: 18%
- Between $1,500 and $2,000: 13%
- Between $2,000 and $2,500: 11%
- Between $2,500 and $3,000: 14%
- Between $3,000 and $3,500: 13%
- Between $3,500 and $4,000: 8%
- Between $4,000 and $4,500: 7%
- Over $4,500: 5%
Quotes From Our Survey
We asked respondents to provide details about their experiences. Here are a few responses:
- My claim was processed and approved very quickly. The customer service is very knowledgeable and approachable.
- I like how fast and easy the process is.
- I loved that everything I needed to be taken care of was taken care of quickly.
- They were easy to work with and covered what I needed.
Best Third-Party Vehicle Service Contract Options
While the GMC warranty has its perks, we recommend our top pick for warranty coverage, Endurance, which won our Best Coverage award in our 2024 industry review. See the tables below to learn more about the company and to see how the GMC warranty stacks up next to Endurance.
Endurance Vs. GMC Extended Warranty
See how Endurance compares to GMC warranty side by side:
| Endurance | GMC | |
|---|---|---|
|
Plan options |
6 |
3 |
|
Maximum mileage |
Unlimited |
100,000 |
|
Maximum age |
20 years |
8 years |
|
When to buy |
Anytime |
Before factory warranty expires |
|
Choice of repair shop |
Any mechanic certified by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE®) |
GMC dealerships |
|
Maintenance coverage |
Advantage plan covers oil changes, brake pads, cooling system maintenance and more |
Separate plans optional |
|
Benefits |
Roadside assistance, trip interruption, rental car plus Elite benefits like key fob replacement and tire repair for one year |
Roadside assistance, rental car coverage, and trip interruption |
GMC Extended Warranty: Bottom Line
Considering GMC vehicles have higher-than-average repair costs and the GMC Protection Plan is affordable, it can be a great option for covering repairs up to 8 years or 100,000 miles. But if you want longer coverage, it’s best to consider plans from third-party providers like Endurance.
GMC Extended Warranty: FAQ
Below are commonly asked questions about the GMC extended warranty:
Does GMC have extended warranty coverage?
With GMC, you have three extended warranty options: the Platinum Protection Plan, the Silver Protection Plan, and the Powertrain Protection Plan. All plans can cover up to 8 years or 100,000 miles and come with roadside assistance, rental car coverage, and trip interruption.
How much do GM extended warranties cost?
Our data shows GMC Protection Plans range from $1,161 to $3,016 with an average total cost of $1,744. Other GM brands may have different average costs considering each vehicle has different repair expectations.
Do I need an extended warranty?
As your car ages, mechanical breakdowns are more likely to occur. Buying an extended auto warranty will protect your car when inevitable mechanical failures happen. While additional protection is an excellent way to reduce car repair costs, it’s even wiser if you have an older model or a high-mileage vehicle.
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 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.
