In the United States how many car payments can you miss before the can repo it?

With the major financing companies like Gmac it is 3 months, but some of these small used car lots that use other financing sometimes give you less time. This just happened to a friend of mine. She was 6 weeks late and had contacted them once to inform them she would be late and when they could expect payment. They came and got it anyway. I think the laws would vary from state to state also. Hope that helps.

Usually its 3 months, but I heard recently that some states repossess after 1 missed payment.

it all depends on the institution that you have your loan with. some only give you a month others give you longer.