I recently purchased a 2009 Honda Odyssey, hoping it would be a reliable way for my daughter and me to get back on our feet. I did everything I could to make sure it was safe—flushed the coolant and transmission, changed the oil, replaced spark plugs, air filters, and even put in a new MAF sensor, head gaskets, and manifolds. The mechanic told me the control arms needed replacing, but I thought it could wait a little longer. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

We hit a winter storm in Arizona, and the cold caused the control arms to break. This disengaged the transmission to protect itself, which was a blessing in disguise. To make matters worse, the mechanic also found two broken studs on a tire that could have led to a much more dangerous situation. The car broke down right in front of a car wash after I got off the freeway, and I had to have it towed to University Auto Repair. They’ve been working hard to get it ready, but since they don’t work weekends, my daughter and I have been stuck at a Motel 6, waiting and hoping. I even missed my father’s memorial service because of all this, and all I want is to get my daughter back to work and return home safely.

This is the first vehicle I’ve had in four years. On Christmas of 2023, my daughter and I were in a wreck that left me with a fractured back in two places. It’s been a long road to recovery, and I still use a walker to get around. I’ve managed to cover half of the repair costs, but I need help with the rest and with gas to get us home. Any little bit will help us get back on the road. If you’re not able to help financially, please consider sharing our story. Thank you for taking the time to read about our situation.