Why are millions of Americans losing their cars to repossession right now?
As car loan delinquency rates climb, repossession numbers are reaching levels not seen since the Great Recession. This episode examines the human and economic forces driving this trend by revisiting the lifecycle of delinquent loans from the perspectives of salesmen, drivers, and repo agents.
In 2025, an estimated 3 million vehicles are expected to be repossessed in the United States. This surge reflects a broader trend where record numbers of individuals with poor or fair credit are struggling to maintain their car payments.
By following the lifecycle of a delinquent loan through the eyes of those involved—the salesman, the driver, and the repo man—the narrative bridges the gap between individual financial struggles and the macro-economic conditions that mirror the severity of the Great Recession.
