Hit a Pothole in Houston? What to Do Next

Quick answer: If you hit a pothole in Houston, pull over safely, check your wheel and tire, take photos, report the pothole, and get a bent or cracked wheel looked at before it leaks or fails. Houston’s heavy rain, heat and traffic break down pavement fast, and low-profile tires on 18 to 22 inch wheels leave little cushion between the rim and the road edge.

This guide walks you through each step: what to check right away, where to report the pothole, whether you can get reimbursed, and how to tell if your wheel can be repaired.

Right after you hit a pothole

Get to a safe spot first, then check the damage and record it before you drive on.

1. Pull over somewhere safe. Use a parking lot or side street, not the freeway shoulder, if the car still drives normally.
2. Look at the tire. Check for a bulge on the sidewall, a cut, or a tire that is losing air. A sidewall bubble means the tire must be replaced.
3. Look at the wheel. Check the inner and outer lip for a dent, flat spot, crack or missing chunk. Damage on the back (inner) lip is easy to miss.
4. Take photos. Photograph the pothole, the street sign or nearest address, your wheel and your tire. Write down the date and time.
5. Watch how the car drives. A shake at highway speed, pulling to one side, or a tire that keeps going low usually means a bent wheel or alignment damage.
6. Don’t wait on a leaking tire. A bent rim can let air seep out slowly, and driving on a low tire can ruin both the tire and the wheel.

How to report a pothole in Houston

Who you report to depends on who owns the road: the City of Houston for city streets, TxDOT for freeways and state highways, and your own city or county for roads outside Houston city limits.

Houston Public Works says most potholes reported through 311 are repaired by the next business day, and a KPRC 2 check in May 2026 found many had been patched. Some holes, like a sunken manhole cover, need bigger repairs and take longer.

TxDOT says reports sent through its contact forms get a response within 10 business days.

Tip: have the exact address or nearest cross street ready. The 311 app can use your phone’s GPS and lets you attach a photo. Keep your 311 case number in case you need it later.

Will the city or TxDOT pay for pothole damage?

Usually not. Texas law limits when government agencies can pay for vehicle damage caused by road conditions, so for most drivers the realistic options are their own car insurance or paying for the repair.

• City of Houston: the City Legal Department’s claims page says the City will not reimburse vehicle damage from a pothole or an object on a city street, because under state law the City is not liable for property damage caused by street conditions.
• TxDOT (state highways): TxDOT has told reporters that state law does not let it spend state funds on vehicle damage caused by highway conditions, and it points drivers to their own insurance (ABC13).
• Car insurance: pothole damage is often covered under collision coverage, minus your deductible. Call your insurer to check your policy.

If you still want to file a claim with the City, the City Charter requires a written, notarized notice within 90 days of the damage. It must say when, where and how it happened and how much you are claiming. The City asks you to include three repair estimates, photos and a copy of your vehicle title, mailed to the City Secretary’s Office with a copy to the City Attorney’s Claims/Subrogation Section. Details and mailing addresses are on the City’s claims page.

This is general information, not legal advice. Talk to a lawyer about your situation.

Signs your wheel is damaged, and repair vs. replace

Most pothole-bent aluminum wheels can be straightened and saved for much less than a new wheel. A wheel with a severe crack across a spoke, or several cracks, usually needs to be replaced.

Signs of a bent or cracked wheel:

• Shaking or vibration at highway speed, often starting around 50 to 70 mph
• A tire that slowly loses air even though it has no nail or puncture
• A visible dent, flat spot or chip on the inner or outer lip
• A hairline crack on the barrel, which often shows up as a slow leak
• The steering wheel is off-center or the car pulls after the hit

What can usually be repaired:

• Bends on the inner or outer lip (see bent wheel repair)
• Small cracks on the barrel (the round part the tire sits on), by welding (see crack repairs)
• Curb rash and scrapes on the face (see curb damage repair)

What usually means replacement:

• Cracks in a spoke or near the center where the wheel bolts on
• Several cracks, or a crack with a bend in the same spot
• A wheel that is bent badly enough that it can’t be trued back into spec

Damage on the face of the wheel (the side you see) costs more to fix than damage on the rear lip, because the finish has to be restored to match.

Pothole wheel repair at Houston Wheel Repair

Houston Wheel Repair straightens bent wheels, welds cracks and fixes curb rash on 13 to 30 inch wheels. Pothole repairs start at $115 per wheel to straighten a 13 inch wheel, and crack welding adds $50.

All prices are STARTING PRICES. This is a ballpark estimate, not a final quote. Prices may change depending on how severe the damage is and whether the damage is on the face of the wheel or the rear of the wheel.

See the full price chart by wheel size on our bent wheel repair page.

Visit us: 7070 Southwest Fwy, Suite A, Houston, TX 77074. Call 713-942-0294 or send photos of your wheel for a free quote.

We serve drivers in Houston, Pasadena, Pearland, Sugar Land, League City, Conroe, The Woodlands, Baytown, Missouri City, Katy, Galveston, Texas City and Bellaire.

Common questions

How do I report a pothole in Houston?
For city streets, call 311 or 713-837-0311, use the Houston 311 app, or report it at 311.houstontx.gov. For freeways and state highways, report it to TxDOT online or call the TxDOT Houston District at 713-802-5000.

Will the City of Houston pay for my pothole damage?
Usually not. The City says that under Texas law it is not liable for property damage caused by the condition of its streets. Anyone who still wants to file a claim must send a notarized written notice within 90 days.

Will TxDOT pay for pothole damage on a Houston freeway?
Usually not. TxDOT says state law does not allow it to use state funds for vehicle damage caused by highway conditions, and it refers drivers to their own insurance.

Can a bent wheel from a pothole be fixed?
In most cases, yes. Bends on the inner or outer lip can usually be straightened, and small barrel cracks can be welded. Cracks in a spoke or near the center usually mean the wheel should be replaced.

How much does pothole wheel repair cost in Houston?
At Houston Wheel Repair, straightening starts at $115 for a 13 inch wheel and $175 for a 20 inch wheel. Crack welding adds $50. Final price depends on how bad the damage is and whether it is on the face or rear of the wheel.

Is it safe to drive on a bent wheel?
It’s not a good idea to keep driving on one. A bent wheel can leak air, wear out the tire and cause a blowout. Get it checked as soon as you can.

Sources

Last checked November 12, 2026.

• City of Houston Legal Department: Filing a Claim
• Houston 311 Help and Info
• TxDOT: Report a roadway issue
• TxDOT: Compact with Texans
• TxDOT: Houston District offices and contacts
• ABC13: If your car is damaged by a pothole, will TxDOT pay?
• KPRC 2: Houston says 99% of reported potholes are patched within a day (May 2026)