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Bridgecrest is one of America’s largest subprime auto lenders, known for working with buyers who have less-than-perfect credit. In 2025, Bridgecrest is trending as more Americans search for flexible auto financing, but also as complaints and consumer concerns about high interest rates and loan terms grow. This guide covers everything: news, rates, reviews, application, complaints, refinancing, and what to watch out for if you’re considering or managing a Bridgecrest loan.
Live Bridgecrest News & Financials
📰 2025 News: Securitization, Subprime Trends & Market Impact
💵 Securitization Surge: In January 2025, Bridgecrest issued its sixth public, SEC-registered auto loan securitization, BLAST 2025-1, collateralized by subprime auto loans. The deal included up to $623.5 million in notes, with credit enhancement levels ranging from 61.5% (Class A) to 15.5% (Class E), reflecting the risk profile of the underlying loans.
📈 Subprime Focus: Bridgecrest specializes in fixed-rate installment loans to subprime borrowers—those with lower credit scores or limited credit history. The company and its parent, DriveTime, have issued 85 securitizations since 1996, totaling nearly $25 billion in auto loans.
⚠️ Rising Delinquencies & Complaints: As of 2025, complaints about high interest rates, negative equity, and loan servicing issues are on the rise. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has logged over 1,600 complaints in the past three years, with many unresolved or only partially addressed.
📝 Consumer Impact: Bridgecrest’s business model makes car ownership accessible for those with poor credit, but often at the cost of high APRs (16–26%+), long loan terms, and high risk of negative equity. Many borrowers report owing more than the car’s value years into the loan.
Bridgecrest BBB Complaints & Consumer Issues
📈 Subprime Focus: Bridgecrest specializes in fixed-rate installment loans to subprime borrowers—those with lower credit scores or limited credit history. The company and its parent, DriveTime, have issued 85 securitizations since 1996, totaling nearly $25 billion in auto loans.
⚠️ Rising Delinquencies & Complaints: As of 2025, complaints about high interest rates, negative equity, and loan servicing issues are on the rise. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has logged over 1,600 complaints in the past three years, with many unresolved or only partially addressed.
📝 Consumer Impact: Bridgecrest’s business model makes car ownership accessible for those with poor credit, but often at the cost of high APRs (16–26%+), long loan terms, and high risk of negative equity. Many borrowers report owing more than the car’s value years into the loan.
📊 Bridgecrest Auto Loan Basics: How It Works & What to Expect
📝 Loan Types: Bridgecrest offers auto loans primarily for used cars sold through DriveTime and affiliated dealers. They also service loans for Carvana and other networks.
💡 Application Process: Apply online or at a dealership. You’ll provide personal and financial information, vehicle details, and supporting documents (proof of income, ID, insurance). Approval is often quick, even for those with bad credit.
🔎 Eligibility: Bridgecrest is known for flexible underwriting, but interest rates are high. Approval depends on credit, income, and vehicle eligibility.
💳 Payment Options: Pay online, by phone, by mail, MoneyGram, or in person. AutoPay and bank account payments are free; credit card payments may incur fees. Late fees apply if you’re more than 15 days past due.
📱 Online Tools: Bridgecrest’s portal lets you set up auto-pay, track your balance, and manage your account 24/7.
🤝 Customer Service: Support is available by phone, email, and live chat, with late-night hours. Customer reviews are mixed—some praise helpful reps, others cite long waits and communication issues.
Bridgecrest Official Website & Online Portal
💡 Application Process: Apply online or at a dealership. You’ll provide personal and financial information, vehicle details, and supporting documents (proof of income, ID, insurance). Approval is often quick, even for those with bad credit.
🔎 Eligibility: Bridgecrest is known for flexible underwriting, but interest rates are high. Approval depends on credit, income, and vehicle eligibility.
💳 Payment Options: Pay online, by phone, by mail, MoneyGram, or in person. AutoPay and bank account payments are free; credit card payments may incur fees. Late fees apply if you’re more than 15 days past due.
📱 Online Tools: Bridgecrest’s portal lets you set up auto-pay, track your balance, and manage your account 24/7.
🤝 Customer Service: Support is available by phone, email, and live chat, with late-night hours. Customer reviews are mixed—some praise helpful reps, others cite long waits and communication issues.
💸 Rates, Repayment, Refinancing & How to Avoid Pitfalls
📈 Interest Rates: Bridgecrest loans typically carry high APRs (16–26%+), reflecting subprime risk. Some borrowers report rates up to 29%.
🧾 Simple Interest Loans: Interest accrues daily. If you pay late or only make partial payments, more of your payment goes to interest, not principal. This can lead to “negative amortization”—owing more than you borrowed, even after years of payments.
🔄 Refinancing: Bridgecrest does not offer refinancing, but you can refinance with another lender if your credit improves. This is often the best way to lower your rate and total cost.
⚠️ Negative Equity Trap: Many borrowers find themselves owing more than the car’s value years into the loan, especially with high interest and long terms. Always check your payoff amount and consider refinancing or paying extra toward principal when possible.
💡 Payment Tips:
How to Get Out of a Bridgecrest Loan
🧾 Simple Interest Loans: Interest accrues daily. If you pay late or only make partial payments, more of your payment goes to interest, not principal. This can lead to “negative amortization”—owing more than you borrowed, even after years of payments.
🔄 Refinancing: Bridgecrest does not offer refinancing, but you can refinance with another lender if your credit improves. This is often the best way to lower your rate and total cost.
⚠️ Negative Equity Trap: Many borrowers find themselves owing more than the car’s value years into the loan, especially with high interest and long terms. Always check your payoff amount and consider refinancing or paying extra toward principal when possible.
💡 Payment Tips:
- Make payments before the due date to reduce interest accrual.
- Pay extra toward principal (call to request application to principal).
- Refinance as soon as your credit improves.
- Read your Truth in Lending disclosure for total cost details.
- Track your payoff amount and avoid extensions that increase interest.
📝 Customer Reviews, Complaints & Real-World Experiences
👍 Positive: Easy approval for bad credit, flexible payment options, and responsive support during hardship. Many borrowers with poor credit say Bridgecrest helped them get a car when no one else would.
👎 Negative: High interest rates, slow principal reduction, negative equity, and aggressive collections. Some report paying thousands more than the car’s value and still owing a large balance after years of payments.
⚠️ Common Complaints: Payment processing errors, communication delays, difficulty getting payoff letters or titles, and issues with repossession—even after making payments.
🛑 Repossession Risk: Bridgecrest will repossess quickly if you fall behind. Late fees apply after 15 days, and missed payments can trigger default and negative credit reporting.
💬 BBB & Reddit: Over 1,600 BBB complaints in 3 years, and many Reddit threads detail struggles with negative equity, confusing payment application, and aggressive collections.
Bridgecrest Yelp Reviews & Consumer Stories
👎 Negative: High interest rates, slow principal reduction, negative equity, and aggressive collections. Some report paying thousands more than the car’s value and still owing a large balance after years of payments.
⚠️ Common Complaints: Payment processing errors, communication delays, difficulty getting payoff letters or titles, and issues with repossession—even after making payments.
🛑 Repossession Risk: Bridgecrest will repossess quickly if you fall behind. Late fees apply after 15 days, and missed payments can trigger default and negative credit reporting.
💬 BBB & Reddit: Over 1,600 BBB complaints in 3 years, and many Reddit threads detail struggles with negative equity, confusing payment application, and aggressive collections.
🔎 Bridgecrest vs. Other Subprime Auto Lenders
🏦 Who is Bridgecrest? Bridgecrest is the servicing arm for DriveTime and Carvana loans, founded in 2003 and based in Phoenix, AZ. It is FDCPA-compliant and services over 1 million auto loans nationwide.
📊 How It Compares: Bridgecrest is known for easy approvals but higher rates and more negative equity risk than many credit unions or prime lenders. It’s a last-resort option for many borrowers with bad credit.
💡 Alternatives: If your credit improves, refinance with a credit union or bank for lower rates. If you’re struggling, consider selling the car, paying off the loan, or seeking hardship assistance.
Bridgecrest Comprehensive Guide (LinkedIn)
📊 How It Compares: Bridgecrest is known for easy approvals but higher rates and more negative equity risk than many credit unions or prime lenders. It’s a last-resort option for many borrowers with bad credit.
💡 Alternatives: If your credit improves, refinance with a credit union or bank for lower rates. If you’re struggling, consider selling the car, paying off the loan, or seeking hardship assistance.
©️ 2025 | Bridgecrest Auto Loan: Complete Guide for US Borrowers