CARFAX: Nearly Half of Drivers in the U.S. Behind on Major Services

Rhea-AI Summary

CARFAX (parent: SPGI) reported that 41% of U.S. vehicles are overdue for at least one major service as of Nov 18, 2025, raising safety and reliability concerns for holiday travel.

CARFAX defined "major services" to include brakes, steering, drivetrain, engine coolant flushes, and air filter replacements. The release also found ~30% of cars behind on tire rotations and ~20% behind on oil changes. CARFAX promoted its free Car Care app for maintenance reminders and provided practical seasonal safety tips (tire pressure, winter tires, battery check, wiper fluid/blades, and a winter kit).

Drivers Should Make Sure Vehicles Are Ready for Holiday Travel

CENTREVILLE, Va., Nov. 18, 2025 As millions of people hit the road for the holidays, CARFAX has found that nearly half of all drivers are behind on at least one major service. CARFAX data found that roughly 41% of vehicles nationwide are overdue for some critical maintenance work.

According to CARFAX, these "major services" include:

• BRAKES: Brake line and rotor inspections and replacements
• STEERING: Vehicle suspension and steering components inspection
• DRIVETRAIN: Transmission fluid draining and refilling
• ENGINE: Coolant flush to keep the vehicle operating at a safe temperature
• FUEL EFFICENCY/AIR QUALITY: Replacement of engine air and cabin air filters

This means that millions of vehicles may not be truly road-ready, posing a risk during peak holiday travel. On top of that, CARFAX data shows that almost 30% of cars are behind on tire rotations and nearly 20% are behind on oil changes.

"Taking care of your vehicle pays off in both the short and long term," said Paul Nadjarian, CARFAX's Chief Product Officer. "A well-maintained car lasts longer, holds its value, and costs less to own. Our free CARFAX Car Care app makes it easy for drivers to stay on top of maintenance with timely reminders about maintenance, recall alerts, and many other updates."

Neglecting routine maintenance isn't just risky while on the road — it can hit your wallet. Failing to change oil on time can lead to engine damage or failure, resulting in expensive repair bills. Skipping rotations causes tires to wear unevenly, reducing traction and increasing the likelihood of flats or blowouts that could leave families stranded this season.

Drivers can also prepare themselves by taking these steps:

• Slow Down: Speed is a significant key factor in car accidents.
• Check Your Tire Pressure: Sudden temperature drops make tires lose air quickly.
• Use Winter Tires: Cold weather can harden the rubber, hurting traction.
• Check Your Car's Battery: Cold weather reduces a battery's power, and it could fail.
• Check Your Wiper Fluid Level: Slush from the road can be kicked up onto your windshield, making it hard to see. Carry an extra gallon in cold-weather months.
• Check Your Wiper Blades: If the rubber has cracked or if there is debris under the blades, your wipers may leave streaks. Clear out the leaves and wipe down the blades with cleaning solution. If that doesn't work, install new blades.
• Pack a Winter Survival Kit: Be ready if you wind up stranded. A kit should have drinking water, a blanket, an ice scraper, durable food items, road flares, a phone charger, a flashlight, and first-aid supplies. Keep this kit in the car year-round.

About CARFAX

CARFAX, part of S&P Global Mobility, helps millions of people every day confidently shop, buy, service and sell used cars with innovative solutions powered by CARFAX^® vehicle history information. The expert in vehicle history since 1984, CARFAX provides CARFAX Car Listings, CARFAX Car Care, CARFAX History-Based Value and the flagship CARFAX Vehicle History Report to consumers and the automotive industry. CARFAX owns the world's largest vehicle history database and is nationally recognized as a top workplace by The Washington Post. Shop, Buy, Service, Sell – Show me the CARFAX^®.

S&P Global Mobility is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI). S&P Global is the world's foremost provider of credit ratings, benchmarks, analytics and workflow solutions in the global capital, commodity and automotive markets.

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SOURCE CARFAX

FAQ

What percentage of U.S. cars are overdue for major services according to CARFAX on Nov 18, 2025?

CARFAX reported that 41% of U.S. vehicles are overdue for at least one major service.

Which major services did CARFAX say are most commonly overdue (CARFAX, SPGI)?

CARFAX listed brakes, steering, drivetrain, coolant flushes, and engine/cabin air filter replacements as major services.

How many cars are behind on tire rotations and oil changes per CARFAX Nov 18, 2025 release?

The release found nearly 30% of cars overdue for tire rotations and about 20% overdue for oil changes.

What safety steps did CARFAX recommend for holiday travel on Nov 18, 2025?

CARFAX recommended checking tire pressure, using winter tires, testing the battery, inspecting wipers and fluid, and packing a winter survival kit.

Does CARFAX offer a tool to help drivers track maintenance (SPGI related)?

Yes—CARFAX promotes a free Car Care app that provides maintenance reminders, recall alerts, and service updates.

Why does CARFAX warn that skipped maintenance can be costly for drivers?

CARFAX noted skipped oil changes can cause engine damage or failure and skipped rotations can cause uneven tire wear and higher flat/blowout risk.