If it feels like your car has been swallowed by New York City streets this spring, you are not imagining it. According to NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) data reported in March 2026, more than 11,300 pothole reports were logged to 311 in the first months of 2026 — roughly 33 percent more than at the same point in 2025. Queens has borne the worst of it, accounting for nearly half of all pothole complaints citywide, but drivers in every borough are feeling the impact.

Here is what is driving the crisis, what the city is doing about it, and — critically — what you can do if a pothole damaged your car.

Why 2026 Is So Bad

This winter delivered extended stretches of freezing temperatures, snow, salting, melting, and refreezing — exactly the conditions that cause asphalt to crack and crater. Water seeps into road surfaces, freezes and expands, then thaws and contracts, leaving behind the cavities that become potholes. By the time spring arrives, the damage has already been done underground. The warm weather simply reveals it.

What NYC DOT Is Doing: The Pothole Blitz

Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration has launched multiple weekend “pothole blitz” operations in 2026, deploying as many as 80 repair crews simultaneously across all five boroughs. As of mid-2026, NYC DOT reports it has filled more than 66,000 potholes since January 1, with an average repair time of just over two days after a complaint is filed. One single-day blitz in March filled more than 7,200 potholes — roughly a week’s worth of repairs compressed into one day. A fourth pothole blitz was launched on Mayor Mamdani’s 100th day in office.

The two-day response time is notable: NYC consistently outperforms most other major American cities on pothole repair speed, even in a high-volume year. But with more than a quarter of 311 pothole cases still listed as open, pending, or in progress as of earlier this spring, the backlog is real.

The Neighborhoods Hit Hardest

According to Hoodline’s analysis of 311 data through early 2026:

• Queens leads all boroughs, representing nearly half of all citywide pothole complaints. South Jamaica, Jamaica, and Flushing corridors have generated high volumes of reports.
• The Bronx and Brooklyn are seeing elevated complaint volumes, particularly on secondary streets that were not prioritized during the winter salting operations.
• Manhattan complaints are concentrated in midtown crosstown streets and older cobblestone-adjacent blocks in lower Manhattan.
• Staten Island has also logged a higher-than-usual complaint rate, particularly on major arterials connecting to the Staten Island Expressway.

How to Report a Pothole to 311

Filing a 311 complaint is fast, takes about two minutes, and creates an official record — which is important if you later need to file a damage claim. Here is how:

• Online: Go to portal.311.nyc.gov and select “Pothole or Cave-In on Street” or “Pothole or Cave-In on Highway.”
• By Phone: Call 311 (or 212-639-9675 from outside NYC). Explain the location as precisely as possible — cross streets, address, or nearest landmark.
• NYC 311 Mobile App: Download the app, use your phone’s GPS to pinpoint the location, and submit photos if possible.

When reporting, note: NYC DOT handles potholes on city-maintained streets. For state highways (Belt Parkway, BQE, FDR Drive, etc.), contact NYSDOT at 1-800-POTHOLE (1-800-768-4653).

How to Claim Car Damage From a Pothole

Many New Yorkers do not realize they can seek reimbursement from the city if a pothole damages their vehicle. The process requires some documentation, but it is real and worth pursuing for damage that exceeds your insurance deductible.

Step 1: Report the Pothole to 311 Immediately

File a 311 report as soon as the damage occurs. This creates an official city record establishing that the pothole existed at a specific location and date. NYC’s “prior written notice” law requires the city to have known about a hazard before it is liable — a prior 311 complaint (even one you just filed) begins establishing that record.

Step 2: Document Everything

Before moving your vehicle if possible, take photos of the pothole with measurements visible (use a ruler, coin, or your foot for scale). Photograph your tire, rim, or suspension damage. Get a repair estimate from a mechanic. Note the date, time, exact location, and your direction of travel.

Step 3: File a Claim With the NYC Comptroller Within 90 Days

Property damage claims must be filed within 90 days of the incident. You can file:

• Online: comptrollernyc.com/eclaimapp
• In Person or By Certified Mail: NYC Comptroller’s Office, 1 Centre Street, Room 1225, New York, NY 10007
• Phone: 212-669-3916

Your claim must be notarized and must include: a description of the damage, the cause (the pothole), the location with measurements of the defect if possible, and the total dollar amount claimed. If your claim is not resolved, you have up to 1 year and 90 days from the date of the incident to start a legal action.

What the City Can and Cannot Reimburse

NYC does not automatically pay every pothole claim — the city will investigate whether it had “prior written notice” of the specific hazard. Claims are more likely to succeed when the pothole was previously reported via 311, was located on a city-maintained street (not a highway or private street), and the damage is documented with photos and repair receipts. The process can take months. For larger claims, consulting a personal injury or property damage attorney may be worthwhile — many take these cases on contingency.

Who This Helps

Drivers and cyclists across all five boroughs — especially Queens residents whose streets have taken the worst beating this winter. Car owners who have paid out-of-pocket for pothole-related tire, rim, or suspension repairs. Anyone who commutes on city streets and wants to know their rights when infrastructure fails them.

How to Take Action

• Report a pothole on a city street: Call 311 or visit portal.311.nyc.gov
• Report a pothole on a state highway: Call 1-800-POTHOLE (1-800-768-4653)
• File a damage claim: comptrollernyc.com/eclaimapp or 1 Centre Street, Room 1225, NY 10007 — must file within 90 days
• Check your claim status: Contact the Comptroller’s Office at 212-669-3916
• Track your 311 complaint: Every 311 complaint gets a tracking number — check status at portal.311.nyc.gov
• NYC Open Data pothole tracker: data.cityofnewyork.us

HelpNewYork covers the city systems that affect your daily life. For more on navigating NYC infrastructure and your rights as a resident, see our NYPD CompStat April 2026 decoder and our guide to NYC subway safety in 2026.