Summer heat doesn’t just make drivers sweat. It can beat the hell out of a vehicle.
Pep Boys rolled out its new Summer Breakdown Index, a seasonal ranking that maps the U.S. metro areas seeing the highest rates of heat-related vehicle service, including A/C repairs, battery replacements, and cooling system work. Built from Pep Boys’ internal service data, the report shows one clear trend: the Southwest is taking the biggest hit, with 11 of the top 15 markets concentrated there.
Las Vegas claimed the No. 1 spot, with drivers seeing A/C repairs at more than three times the Pep Boys national average during peak summer months. Orlando, San Antonio, Lubbock, El Paso, Jacksonville, Austin, Phoenix, Tucson, Yuma, Salt Lake City, Nashville, Tallahassee, Houston, and Bakersfield rounded out the top 15.
“Heat affects vehicle systems in very specific ways. It degrades battery capacity, overworks A/C systems, and stresses cooling systems faster than most drivers realize,” said Scott Elliott, Manager of Technical Training at Pep Boys. “Our service data suggests that these failures are concentrated in markets with sustained high temperatures, and they’re largely preventable with the right maintenance ahead of the summer season.”
Pep Boys highlighted several hot spots in the report. Lubbock posted the highest combined rate of heat-related services compared to the company’s national baseline, while Tucson led all markets in summer battery replacements. Orlando recorded the highest overall summer service volume, driven by regional heat and heavy travel traffic.
The index is based on Pep Boys service data collected from May 1 to August 31, 2025. The company says the findings reflect repair trends, not official climate or infrastructure assessments.
For drivers, the takeaway is simple: heat is brutal, but a dead battery, cooked A/C system, or cooling failure doesn’t have to ruin the ride.
