Manufacturing, shipping issues could delay auto repairs for months

Vehicles sometimes need repairs. It could be a dent, a smashed window, or that one missing part.

But in some cases making those repairs could take months because of a combination of manufacturing and shipping delays.

Workers at Precision Collision Repair Center in Wake Forest said they let their customers know quickly about potential delays.

"We try to educate the customer upfront what’s going on and what we are dealing with," said Stacy Braswell. "In the end ourhands are so tied."

Around the Triangle no shop is immune.

The staff at Tech Craft Auto Body and Collision gave WRAL News an example of a delay they’ve seen recently.

“A Honda Accord we were trying to get a safety part," said Uliana Storozh with Tech Craft Auto Body and Collision. "They were on backorder for a year.”

North Carolina State Economist Professor Mike Walden says we could see some relief in supply chains but it will take some time.

“I think it could last to mid-year. There are some indications things are easing up but nowhere near to normal,” said Walden.