JustAnswer Data Shows Summer Road Trips Raise Breakdown Risks

New JustAnswer data from more than 222,000 auto questions shows drivers are most worried about batteries, check-engine lights, roadside breakdowns and cooling systems as summer travel peaks. The findings point to aging vehicles, hot weather and preventive maintenance gaps that can leave travelers stranded or facing higher repair bills.

Why it matters: - Summer travel puts extra stress on older vehicles, raising the odds of breakdowns, delays and surprise repair costs. - JustAnswer data shows the most common summer problems are also among the most preventable with basic maintenance. - The risk is amplified by longer vehicle ownership, with the average age of U.S. vehicles reaching 12.8 years in 2025.

What happened: - JustAnswer analyzed more than 222,000 car-related questions submitted in 2025 and through May 2026. - The platform found that automotive questions surge in spring and summer as drivers prepare for vacations, road trips and more seasonal driving. - July was the busiest month for car questions in 2025, with more than 9,100 vehicle-related questions answered. - About 71,000 car questions have already been submitted to JustAnswer in 2026 year to date. - Chris Pyle, a top automotive expert on JustAnswer, said summer brings a sharp jump in questions from drivers diagnosing pre-trip problems or issues that appear in hot weather.

The details: - The top summer car problems asked about on JustAnswer were battery issues, check-engine lights, towing and roadside breakdowns, air conditioning compressor and cooling problems, and brake-related concerns. - Battery issues generated about 11,500 questions during summer 2025, the highest overall volume among the summer categories. - Air conditioning and cooling system questions rose 178% between January and July. - Pyle said summer heat puts heavy stress on batteries, cooling systems and air conditioning components. - AAA reported that about 45 million people traveled over Memorial Day weekend, including more than 39 million by car. - Fourth of July travel has historically drawn even larger numbers of domestic travelers. - American vehicle brands account for about 40% of all automotive questions submitted to JustAnswer. - The top vehicle brands and types generating the most questions in 2026 year to date are Ford, Chevrolet, RVs, Toyota and Dodge. - Several categories have moved up over the past two years, including Lexus from No. 26 to No. 18, Hyundai from No. 16 to No. 12, EV-related questions from No. 19 to No. 14 and Audi from No. 27 to No. 23. - Pyle’s summer maintenance advice focuses on three areas: battery testing, checking air conditioning performance and inspecting the cooling system. - Pyle recommends testing a battery at least three times per year. - Weak air conditioning performance can signal a refrigerant leak or another developing issue. - Drivers should verify coolant levels and inspect the water pump, thermostat and cooling system for leaks or wear. - Pyle said good maintenance records help drivers avoid paying for repairs before they are needed. - Common money-wasting maintenance mistakes include replacing oil strictly by date, paying for premium fuel when the owner’s manual does not require it, replacing air filters based only on mileage, failing to keep maintenance records and replacing brake pads too early. - More summer road-trip car maintenance advice is available in JustAnswer’s car maintenance tips and the summer road-trip checklist.

Between the lines: - The data suggests many drivers are waiting until temperatures rise before discovering maintenance issues, instead of catching them earlier. - The sharp growth in cooling-system questions points to heat-related failures becoming more visible as summer travel volumes increase. - The prominence of aging vehicles helps explain why routine checks matter more now than in years past.

What’s next: - More drivers are likely to seek help as summer travel peaks and temperatures climb. - Preventive checks on batteries, cooling systems and air conditioning should remain the most practical way to avoid roadside trouble. - JustAnswer’s year-to-date question volume suggests demand for on-demand auto help will keep rising through the season.

The bottom line: - Summer road trips are exposing weak points in older cars, and the biggest trouble spots are batteries, cooling systems and air conditioning.