Tow truck operators across San Diego County say business has suddenly boomed in the worst possible way, with car repossessions jumping and trucks heading out constantly to hook and haul vehicles as soon as they are spotted. The sudden wave is crowding tow yards and putting commutes, child drop-offs and early-shift jobs at risk for residents who rely on a single car.
Local repo drivers describe a clear shift in pace and volume. One operator says his crew went from handling about two or three repossessions a day to closer to 10 assignments, and some cars are scooped up within minutes of being located. Borrowers in San Diego tell the human side of those numbers: one man said his girlfriend’s car was taken just days before he was supposed to start a new construction job. Because tow yards charge storage fees by the day, quick decisions become critical, and experts note that voluntarily surrendering a vehicle can sometimes cost less than letting it be seized. These details and interviews were reported by NBC San Diego.
The national backdrop helps explain the local squeeze. The Federal Reserve Bank of New York’s quarterly Household Debt and Credit report shows overall household debt rose in Q3 2025 and that delinquencies remain elevated. Auto loan balances held near $1.66 trillion while overall delinquency flows stayed higher than earlier in the decade, according to the New York Fed.
Why Repos Are Rising
Federal Reserve economists found that 3.88% of auto loans were at least 30 days past due in the third quarter, the highest level in roughly 15 years, and subprime borrowers with credit scores under 620 are taking the hardest hit, with about 15.78% behind on payments. High vehicle prices, elevated interest rates and loans stretched over longer terms are all pushing monthly payments higher and tightening household budgets, which in turn raises the odds of repossession, as reported by Bankrate.
How Borrowers Can Respond
Financial experts say that once payments start to slip, silence is your enemy. They recommend contacting your lender immediately, asking about hardship programs or modified payment plans, and looking into refinancing to cut the monthly bill. Refinance marketplaces report that many borrowers can reduce payments by shopping for a better rate, and one refinancing firm notes average savings of about $151 a month for customers who successfully refinance. Borrowers who consider stretching out the loan term should weigh the tradeoff: lower monthly payments now in exchange for more total interest over time. For more on refinancing options and tools, see Caribou…