US Subprime Auto Loan Delinquencies Hit Record 6.9%

US Subprime Auto Loan Delinquencies Hit Record 6.9%

The serious delinquency rate has more than doubled since 2021, surpassing both the 1996 peak and levels seen during the 2008 financial crisis.

Fact Check
Multiple high-authority, high-relevance sources that directly cite S&P Global Ratings' U.S. Auto Loan ABS Tracker for December 2025 confirm that subprime auto loan delinquency rates reached 6.9%, noted as a record high. These figures come from primary, quantitative data rather than commentary or secondary aggregation, strengthening credibility. Independent coverage by respected financial news and analysis outlets also corroborates both the numerical figure and its status as the highest recorded to date. No credible source was found that contradicts the claim, and the figure is consistent across different reputable reporting channels. Given the direct, authoritative sourcing of this data and the absence of conflicting evidence, the probability that the statement is true is very high.
Summary

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Terms & Concepts
  • Subprime Auto Loan: A car loan offered to borrowers with lower credit scores, typically carrying higher interest rates due to increased default risk.
  • Delinquency Rate: The percentage of loans that are overdue beyond a specified number of days, indicating borrower distress.
  • Financial Crisis 2008: A severe global economic downturn triggered by the collapse of major financial institutions due to high-risk mortgage lending and securitization.