Rising Auto Loan Delinquency Rates In North Dakota Explained

North Dakota ranks first in the nation for the largest increase in auto loan delinquency, according to a new analysis from WalletHub.

That number means that some residents in the state are under a growing number of people across the nation that are in growing financial risk, despite relatively low overall delinquency rates.

North Dakota saw a 10.81% increase in delinquent auto loan accounts from Q3 to Q4 of 2025, the highest jump among all 50 states. Overall, about 12.62% of auto loan tradelines in the state were delinquent in the fourth quarter.

WalletHub compared proprietary user data on consumer delinquency rates between Q3 and Q4 2025 to identify where payment issues are rising most quickly.

Neighboring states showed mixed trends. Minnesota ranked 10th, with a 7.51% increase and a 15.49% delinquency rate. South Dakota ranked near the bottom at 49th, with only a 1.34% increase and a 13.15% delinquency rate. Montana ranked last, with delinquency decreasing by 1.44% and a 13.28% rate. Wyoming ranked 36th, posting a 4.69% increase and a 13.67% delinquency rate.

Nationally, Idaho ranked second for the largest increase at 10.23%, followed by Hawaii at 9.21%.

WalletHub said rising delinquency can lead to late fees, credit score damage, and potential vehicle repossession if payments are not brought current.

“When you are delinquent on auto loan debt, try to get your account current as soon as possible to minimize the consequences,” said John Kiernan. “If you pay fewer than 30 days late, your delinquency won’t be reported to the credit bureaus, though you’ll still likely owe a late fee. If you’re more than 30 days late, talk with your lender so they don’t start the process of repossessing your car while you figure out how to pay. Ask if your lender has a hardship plan, or try strategies like cutting other expenses or consolidating debt.”