If you’ve been driving anywhere in the Greater Toronto Area this spring, you already know — the roads are rough. After one of the most punishing winters in recent memory, Ontario’s highways and city streets are riddled with potholes, and 2026 is shaping up to be one of the worst years on record. The City of Toronto has already filled over 54,000 potholes so far this year, and pothole damage claims are up 47 per cent compared to the same period last year. Mayor Olivia Chow has called some of this year’s potholes “outrageously big,” noting they can destroy tires and wreck wheel alignments.
Toronto has increased its pothole repair budget to $6.2 million for 2026, up from $5.5 million last year, and has deployed 190 crews across the city for blitz repair efforts. But with the sheer volume of damage, repairs are struggling to keep pace. The problem isn’t limited to city streets either — drivers have reported dangerous clusters of potholes on Highway 401, the Gardiner Expressway, Eglinton Avenue West, and other major routes throughout the GTA. According to CAA South Central Ontario, the average cost to repair pothole damage to a vehicle ranges from $500 to $2,000, putting real strain on household budgets at a time when the cost of living is already high.
What Causes Potholes?
Potholes form when water seeps through cracks in the road surface. When temperatures drop, that water freezes and expands, pushing sections of pavement upward. As vehicles drive over these weakened areas, the asphalt breaks apart, leaving behind holes that grow larger with every passing car. Road salt accelerates the process by corroding the pavement structure. Ontario’s harsh winters — with rapid swings between freezing and thawing — make the province especially vulnerable, and this year’s heavy snowfall has made things considerably worse.
Where Are the Worst Roads?
Each year, the Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) calls on road users across the province to raise awareness about infrastructure needs by nominating Ontario’s worst roads. The 2026 CAA Worst Roads campaign is open now through April 17 — and after this winter, there’s no shortage of contenders. In 2025, Eglinton Avenue West topped the list in the GTA, while Aberdeen Avenue in Hamilton was crowned the worst road in the province. A recent CAA survey found that eight in ten members are worried about the state of Ontario’s roads, and nearly 70 per cent don’t believe enough is being done to maintain them.
How Potholes Can Damage Your Vehicle
Drivers know immediately when they hit a pothole: that heart-stopping, teeth-jarring jolt is hard to mistake. However, it’s not always clear right away whether hitting the pothole caused damage to your vehicle, or how serious that damage might be.
Hitting a pothole can damage tires, wheels, steering and suspension, wheel alignment, and more. Even one especially severe strike could knock a wheel out of alignment and cause uneven tire wear, meaning your tires will need to be replaced much sooner than expected. That single bad bump can wind up costing you hundreds — or even thousands — of dollars in repairs.
Tips to Protect Your Vehicle
Stay alert and drive defensively during pothole season. Keep plenty of distance between you and the vehicle ahead so you can spot hazards in time. Reduce your speed, especially on roads you know are in rough shape. Check your tire pressure regularly — underinflated tires are far more vulnerable to pothole damage. Avoid hard braking directly over a pothole, as this shifts your vehicle’s weight forward and can actually increase the impact. Watch for puddles, which can hide deep potholes beneath the surface. And hold the steering wheel firmly, because a hard pothole hit at speed can jerk the wheel and cause you to lose control.
Warning Signs After Hitting a Pothole
If you’ve hit a pothole and are experiencing any of the problems below, come in to an Active Green + Ross Complete Tire & Auto Centre so we can inspect your vehicle and help you avoid bigger problems down the road.
- Loss of control, swaying when making routine turns, bottoming-out on city streets, or bouncing excessively on rough roads. These are indicators that the steering and suspension may have been damaged. The steering and suspension are key safety-related systems that largely determine your car’s ride and handling. Key components include shocks and struts, the steering knuckle, ball joints, the steering rack, bearings, seals, hub units, and tie rod ends.
- Pulling in one direction instead of maintaining a straight path, and uneven tire wear. These symptoms point to an alignment problem. Proper wheel alignment is important for the lifespan of your tires and helps ensure safe handling.
- Low tire pressure, bulges or blisters on the sidewalls, or dents in the wheel rim. These problems are often visible and should be checked out as soon as possible, as your tires are the critical connection between your car and the road in all driving conditions.
Report Potholes and Have Your Say
You can help make Ontario’s roads safer. Report potholes on Toronto city streets by calling 311, using the city’s 311 app or website. For potholes on provincial highways like the 400, 401, 403, 404, 427, and QEW, contact Ontario 311 or the Ministry of Transportation. And don’t forget to nominate Ontario’s worst roads through the CAA Worst Roads campaign before April 17, 2026 — your feedback helps push governments to prioritize the repairs that matter most.
If your vehicle was damaged by a pothole on a city-maintained road, you may also be eligible to file a compensation claim through your municipality’s website.
Don’t Wait — Get Your Vehicle Checked
Pothole damage doesn’t always show up right away. A wheel that’s slightly out of alignment or a tire with internal damage can worsen over time, leading to blowouts or loss of control. If you’ve been battling Ontario’s roads this spring, book an appointment at your local Active Green + Ross for a thorough inspection. With over 65 locations across Ontario, we’re here to help keep you safe on the road.