Emergency Car Repairs Strain Finances of U.S. Families in 2025
A recent analysis from The Guardian reveals the significant financial burden emergency car repairs place on American families. Based on discussions from a WhatsApp group of 10 parents and data from AAA and the census, the report highlights the widespread impact of unexpected vehicle expenses.
AAA reports that most car owners spend over $1,400 annually maintaining their vehicles, and approximately 64 million Americans incur debt to cover these costs. For families, these expenses can be especially devastating.
Gabriela Rangel from California City experienced this firsthand when her car was flooded on September 18, 2025, necessitating the replacement of the engine with a used one. She was without a car for roughly two months while searching for affordable repairs. Similarly, Rene Mayhorn Williams faced a transmission failure and other issues, spending about $10,000 on car repairs within four months. His family eventually ended up with two cars but is still rebuilding their savings.
Among the group studied, every parent spent at least $1,500 on car repairs during 2025. Jennifer Wilson, a single mother, spent around $4,500 on repairs in addition to insurance and fuel costs. For these families, public transit is not a practical option due to unreliable or nonexistent bus routes and school transportation services. For example, Natalia Hernandez's daughter attends a lottery school that does not offer bus transportation, so the family depends on cars to ferry their three daughters.
The financial strain from car troubles has affected more than just transportation; families reported having to cut back on holiday spending, postpone trips, and reduce gift-giving. Rising costs for tires, gas, and maintenance contribute further to the pressure on family budgets.
This analysis underscores the critical role reliable transportation plays for U.S. families and the severe economic consequences unexpected car repairs cause.
