Should You Buy a GMC Extended Warranty?

GMC Extended Warranty Overview

GMC does not offer an extension for its powertrain warranty. It does, however, offer an extended warranty for bumper-to-bumper coverage. You have the option to lengthen the coverage term to match the powertrain warranty (5 years/60,000 miles). This coverage can only be bought at the time you purchase your vehicle.

The GMC extended warranty comes with no deductible, and all repairs use only new, remanufactured, or refurbished parts.

In addition to its extended warranty, GMC also offers an extended factory maintenance plan for all vehicles 2019 and newer. The extended factory maintenance plan pays for three additional maintenance visits (for oil changes, inspections, or tire rotations) on top of the one already included with the factory warranty.

Exclusions to the GMC extended warranty include:

• Tire damage
• Damage due to bedliners
• Damage due to accident
• Collision, fire, or theft
• Misuse of vehicle
• Alteration or modification
• Corrosion due to the environment, chemical treatments, or aftermarket products
• Insufficient maintenance
• Low-quality fuel

As with the limited GMC warranty, you must bring your car to a GMC dealership for any and all repairs. The GMC extended warranty is not available to vehicles sold in California, Florida, Maine, or Minnesota.

Do You Need Extended Warranty Coverage?

An auto warranty protects you against sudden, expensive repairs and provides peace of mind. A good warranty guarantees you can afford to repair your vehicle after an unexpected breakdown. But for the most reliable makes and models, an extended warranty may not be worth it. Determining the utility of a GMC extended warranty starts with understanding the car you drive.

GMC vehicles are about average when it comes to reliability. For most GMC models, the frequency of repairs tends to be low, though the expense of these repairs can be high. According to RepairPal, average annual repair costs for GMC vehicles range from $500 to $1,100. The GMC Canyon has the lowest average repair costs, while the Sierra 3500 and Savana 3500 have the highest.

The chart below outlines some common repairs and prices for a 2017 GMC Sierra 1500.

In addition to average repair costs, consider what is already covered by the factory warranty when assessing the value of an extended car warranty. The factory warranty may already provide the coverage that you want. The value of an extended warranty only kicks in beyond the factory warranty.

If your GMC vehicle is less than three years old and has fewer than 36,000 miles, it is likely still covered by the limited manufacturer warranty. GMC offers warranty coverage for all new and certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles. It’s worth checking out these types of coverage while trying to decide whether you need a GMC extended warranty.

GMC Factory Warranty

The following benefits are included with the standard GMC manufacturer’s warranty. This protection comes at no extra cost with all new GMC vehicles.

GMC will also pay for your car’s first scheduled maintenance visit. 2017 and 2018 vehicles are covered for two maintenance visits. As far as factory warranties go, GMC’s is fairly comprehensive. Like any factory warranty though, there are exclusions.

GMC Certified Pre-Owned Warranty

GMC certified pre-owned (CPO) vehicles also come with automatic warranty coverage. GMC CPO warranties offer the same protection as factory warranties, but last a bit longer. Coverage includes:

• 1-year/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty
• 6-year/100,000-mile powertrain limited warranty
• Two free scheduled maintenance visits

Platinum Protection

GMC factory and extended warranty products are administered by GMC directly. GMC also offers Platinum Protection, which is administered by third-party provider AMT Warranty Corp. GMC Platinum Protection can be another way to extend GMC coverage, as it has longer coverage terms than the factory warranty. Coverage lengths offered are:

• 24 months/24,000 miles
• 36 months/36,000 miles
• 48 months/48,000 miles
• 60 months/60,000 miles

Platinum Protection is comparable to a bumper-to-bumper warranty, though slightly less comprehensive. Some covered components include:

• Engine
• Transmission
• Drive axle
• Turbo/supercharger
• Transfer case
• Steering
• Alternator
• Select brake components
• Air conditioning

GMC Extended Warranty Cost

The cost of a GMC extended warranty varies depending on your vehicle model, vehicle age and mileage, and your dealership. Like the price of your car, extended car warranty contracts are often negotiable.

Benefits of a Third-Party Extended Warranty

An alternative to a GMC extended warranty is to purchase a warranty through a third-party provider. Third-party providers like Endurance, CarShield, and Protect My Car generally offer cheaper coverage than the dealer.

Another benefit to a third-party provider is that you can purchase coverage anytime. A GMC extended warranty must be purchased at the time you buy your vehicle. This is inconvenient for a couple reasons.

After you own a car for a few years, you have a better idea of its reliability. You are in a better position to assess if your car needs an additional two years of warranty protection after the initial three-year warranty expires. Another reason to wait to purchase an extended warranty is that you may end up selling your car before the factory warranty expires.

When you purchase an extended warranty from a manufacturer, the cost of the warranty may be included in your vehicle purchase and rolled into your loan. This means that unless you have a 0 percent annual percentage rate (APR), you will pay interest on the cost of your extended auto warranty.

The chart below compares a GMC extended warranty with a vehicle service contract from Endurance.

Conclusion

Depending on which model of GMC vehicle you own or purchase, an extended warranty may not be worth the cost. Do some research on your model to make the best decision for you.

If you want to buy an extended warranty, you can purchase a 5-year/60,000-mile GMC extended warranty at the dealership when you buy your car. Or you can wait until after the manufacturer’s warranty expires. At that point, you may have a better idea if an extended warranty is right for you, and purchasing coverage through a third-party provider is a flexible way to get great coverage.

To see how much you would pay for a GMC extended warranty, get a few free quotes from our top recommended providers.

Best Extended Warranty Companies

AutoGuide reviewed the top car warranty companies to find the best.

Below are our top 3 picks.

Best Coverage	Best Service	Best Budget Warranty
Endurance	CARCHEX	CarShield
★★★★★	★★★★★	★★★★
Get Quote	Get Quote	Get Quote
(877) 374-1840	(866) 254-0205	(800) 563-2761