What's Included in Your GMC Warranty? (Review)
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If you have questions about the GMC warranty protection that comes with all new and certified pre-owned GMC vehicles, you’ve come to the right place.
In this review, we’ll take a closer look at what’s included in 2020 GMC warranty plans, including coverage details, term lengths, and added benefits. We’ll also help you decide whether an extended GMC warranty would be a good investment for your vehicle’s long-term protection.
Table of contents
GMC Warranty Overview
As soon as you drive your new GMC off the lot, it’s covered by a GMC warranty called the GMC Pro Grade Protection plan. This includes a range of coverage such as a 3-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty and a 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty.
Here is a breakdown of the GMC coverage that comes with all 2020 and newer vehicles:
GMC Warranty |
Term Length |
Coverage Details |
|---|---|---|
Bumper-to-Bumper Limited Warranty |
3 years/ 36,000 miles |
Covers almost all vehicle failures due to defects in materials or workmanship |
Powertrain Limited Warranty |
5 years/ 60,000 miles |
Covers the engine, transmission, drive axle, and related components |
Roadside Assistance |
5 years/ 60,000 miles |
Provides towing to the nearest GMC dealership after a mechanical breakdown |
Courtesy Transportation Coverage |
5 years/ 60,000 miles |
Covers a rental car or alternative transportation when your GMC is in the shop for a covered repair |
Corrosion Protection |
3 years/ 36,000 miles |
Protects all body and sheet metal components against corrosion |
Rust-Through Protection |
6 years/ 100,000 miles |
Protects body sheet metal panels that rust through |
These are typical term lengths for a factory warranty. One noteworthy detail about the GMC warranty is that repairs may be performed using new, remanufactured, or refurbished parts. Many manufacturer warranties guarantee the use of new parts for repairs. However, the GMC warranty also covers your vehicle’s first maintenance visit, which is a positive benefit.
GMC Warranty for Certified Pre-Owned Vehicles
Certified pre-owned (CPO) GMC vehicles come with a factory-backed, 6-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and a 12-month/12,000-mile bumper-to-bumper limited warranty.
In order to qualify for a CPO GMC warranty, a vehicle must be less than six model years old, have less than 75,000 miles on it, have a clean title, submit a vehicle history report, and pass a 172-point inspection. Although these are thorough regulations, vehicle failures may still happen, which is when your CPO GMC warranty will come in handy.
Do You Need an Extended GMC Warranty?
To determine if you would benefit from an extended GMC warranty, we recommend assessing your personal finances and your vehicle’s reliability. You have many options when it comes to saving money on car repairs.
Purchasing a GMC extended warranty or a vehicle service contract from a third-party provider could be the best option if you would prefer to pay a monthly premium to finance repairs rather than pay for repairs in full after a breakdown.
Another way to prepare financially for unexpected breakdown repairs is to build up a savings account exclusively for car repairs. If you’re independently wealthy or already have a repair savings account, an extended car warranty might not be needed.
It’s also a good idea to look into GMC’s reliability through a source such as RepairPal. See a breakdown of RepairPal’s most recent GMC Reliability Rating below:
GMC Reliability |
Industry Average |
|
|---|---|---|
Annual Repair Cost |
$744 |
$652 |
Frequency of Repairs |
0.3 repairs per year |
0.4 repairs per year |
Likelihood of Needing Severe Repairs |
17 percent |
12 percent |
As you can see, GMC is above average in terms of annual repair costs, and although you may need to take fewer trips to the repair shop per year than the average driver, the chance your GMC will need a major repair is much higher. Based on this data, an aftermarket car warranty could be a great way to help you save hundreds if not thousands of dollars when repairs arise.
GMC Extended Warranty Overview
If you want extended coverage that’s similar to your original GMC warranty, consider purchasing a vehicle service contract from the manufacturer. A GMC extended warranty could protect your vehicle for an additional 5 years/60,000 miles after your factory warranty ends.
There are two GMC Protection Plans to choose from, and you can purchase coverage even after your original GMC warranty expires, which is a nice perk. Plans can be purchased anytime before your vehicle reaches 7 years/100,000 miles, and your vehicle can be covered for a total of 12 years/160,000 miles.
The GMC extended warranty will protect you from having to pay the costs of parts and labor for certain mechanical failures. Routine maintenance services and wear-and-tear items like brake pads, wiper blades, and shock absorbers are not covered under these GMC warranty plans.
Benefits of a Third-Party GMC Warranty
Here are some other benefits to choosing a third-party vehicle service contract:
- Coverage can last as long as 15 years or 250,000 miles, depending on the provider and plan you choose.
- Reputable extended car warranty companies typically offer between three and six plans to choose from.
- Third-party plans aren’t subject to dealer markups, so they’re often cheaper than manufacturer-backed plans.
- Instead of always having to take your vehicle into a GMC dealership for repairs, you can visit any licensed repair shop, including dealerships.
If you want to explore your extended warranty options, we recommend starting with our top providers: Endurance and CARCHEX. These providers have the highest ratings and most comprehensive coverage in the industry.
Read our full provider reviews to learn more about each company’s plan options, costs, customer service, and more:
Methodology
- Price: Comparing providers can be difficult due to the many factors that influence cost. To determine this score, we employ a secret shopper analysis using different vehicles, mileages, warranty plans, and locations.
- Coverage: A wide variety of coverage is essential to support the differing needs of customers. We take into account the number of extended car warranty plans available, term limits, exclusions, and additional benefits.
- Customer Service: The level of customer service and care provided by an extended warranty company is an important consideration. Our review team sifts through customer reviews and complaints from reputable sources such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot. We also consider the responsiveness of each company’s customer service team based on our secret shopper analysis.
- Reputation: Good extended warranty providers consistently provide quality experiences. Our team takes into account BBB ratings and the company’s history of reliable service when giving this score.
- Transparency: Customers value a commitment to open and honest communication when it comes to vehicle service contracts. Our team of experts takes into account the availability of money-back guarantees and sample contracts.
Stephen Kenney is a writer and editor who focuses on car insurance, auto financing, and vehicle shipping services. He's a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and has experience covering categories ranging from travel to sports to environmental sustainability. In his free time, Stephen enjoys going on long-distance runs, trying out new recipes, and exploring his adopted hometown of Cincinnati.
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