When spending tens of thousands of dollars on a vehicle, it’s important that what you buy is reliable. Reliable means you’re not paying a ton extra to maintain it, and repairs aren’t likely to be frequent or expensive. That’s how RepairPal defines reliability. And according to those measures, here are the five most reliable GMC models on the market.
The GMC Canyon
2023 GMC Canyon AT4 | Creative Commons
RepairPal gave GMC vehicles a three out of five, denoting average reliability. The publication also lists average repair costs of $544 for midsize trucks and $652 for all vehicles.
But the Canyon brings the GMC average up with a four out of five, or above-average reliability. That’s due largely to a below-average frequency of repairs. RepairPal notes Canyon owners seek repairs 0.18 times per year on average, less than the 0.2-time average for other midsize truck owners and the 0.4 average for all vehicles.
Third-generation @GMC Canyon debuts with tough, pricey AT4X model: https://t.co/sLy8O9ybx2 pic.twitter.com/6wtecVDKHh
— Car and Driver (@CARandDRIVER) August 27, 2022
Repairs are also slightly less likely to be severe than the average for the segment. RepairPal estimated a 0.12% probability of severe repairs. That’s the same probability for all vehicles but less than the 0.13% probability for the segment.
And overall, RepairPal estimated drivers would face the same average $544 costs that all owners and estimated to face in the segment. That’s still less than the $652 average in repair costs all drivers face. It was ranked second of the seven midsize trucks RepairPal evaluated for reliability.
The GMC Terrain
Getting the New Year started in the GMC Terrain from Royal Buick GMC! #StayLoyalToRoyal pic.twitter.com/yidsNUmDbR
— Cole Cubelic (@colecubelic) January 8, 2022
The Terrain earned 3.5 out of 5 from RepairPal but was ranked only 22nd out of 26 compact SUVs they evaluated. Terrain drivers face higher than average repair costs ($558) than the average in this segment ($521).
Terrain owners are expected to bring their vehicles in for repairs a little less (0.26 times) than the average compact SUV owner. But Terrain owners also face a higher likelihood (17%) than average (11%) that these repairs will be severe.
Except for the probability of a severe repair, the Terrain’s numbers are better than the averages for all vehicle owners. Overall, all drivers face an average of $652 in repair costs, mechanic appointments 0.4 times per year, and a 12% probability of severe repairs.
The GMC Sierra 1500
The 2022 @GMC Sierra 1500 gets fresh styling, enhanced tech, and a truly upscale Denali: https://t.co/Z70UGmqTjN pic.twitter.com/2INJfIIq4W
— Car and Driver (@CARandDRIVER) December 25, 2021
The Sierra 1500 earned a 3.5 out of 5 reliability rating as well. And it’s a fairly reliable full-size truck, ranking third of 17 trucks assessed. However, you should remember that while you’re going to be heading to the mechanic less than you would for other full-size trucks, you’ll pay more on average, keeping with the above-average costs for this segment’s vehicles.
Full-size truck owners face an average of $936 per year in repairs, $384 more than the average vehicle owner. But Sierra 1500 owners only face $727 in costs, which is a bit better than most.
Further, Sierra 1500 owners bring their vehicles to the mechanic an average of 0.2 times per year, while other truck owners bring theirs in 0.3 times per year. And while the likelihood of a severe repair for the segment is 18%, it’s only 15% for Sierra 500 owners. If you’re going to buy and hold a full-size truck over the long term, GMC’s offering is the one to get.
The GMC Yukon
This is a GMC Yukon. Still, the front end is massive on this vehicle as well. pic.twitter.com/FQCGb1hedM
— AJ LaTrace (@ajlatrace) February 20, 2022
The Yukon also earned a 3.5 reliability rating, though ranked sixth out of 14th in the full-size SUV segment. $784 is the average price of annual repairs full-size SUV owners can expect to pay, a number that drops to $747 for Yukon owners.
Unfortunately, Yukon owners will likely have to bring their vehicles to the mechanic more (0.33 times a year) than the average full-size SUV owner (0.3 times). And the likelihood of the repair being severe is higher (16%) compared to the average (15%).
If you’re buying a new vehicle, you will face higher costs on average and a higher likelihood of severe repairs with a full-size SUV. And with a Yukon, the numbers are even worse. There are many reasons to like a Yukon, but reliability isn’t one of them.
The GMC Savana 1500
.@GM will replace @Chevrolet Express, @GMC Savana with EVs in 2026: https://t.co/ezZHce5Szm pic.twitter.com/KbAQL09f0D
— Car and Driver (@CARandDRIVER) December 31, 2022 Related
RepirairPal’s fifth most reliable GMC model, the Savana 1500, isn’t very reliable at all. Ranked fourth out of 21 in the commercial van category, the Savana 1500’s average repair costs ($960) are about what you’d expect for this segment ($963). It also earned an average 3 out of 5 reliability rating.
Fortunately, this GMC seems to require infrequent repairs (0.19 trips per year) on average, compared to the rest of the segment (0.5 times). But the Savana 1500 shares the segment’s higher-than-average probability of repairs being severe (15%). However, at least with a commercial van, presumably the revenue it helps earn offsets the repair costs, unlike the consumer GMC vehicles.
RepairPal isn’t the only publication that has judged GMC vehicles to be of mediocre reliability. If you’re looking for a car to hold onto for a decade or more, you’re probably better off with another brand.
Keyword: 5 Most Reliable GMC Models