When a car loan goes wrong
What lenders and dealers may do, in what order, and what you can still do about it. State rules differ: check your state's page too.
When a car loan goes wrong
-
First steps, updated Oct 26, 2026
Behind on payments
What a missed payment costs, what to ask your lender for, and when repossession becomes a risk.
-
Your rights, updated Oct 26, 2026
Repossession
When the lender can take the car, what an agent may not do, and how to get it back.
-
After the sale, updated Oct 26, 2026
Deficiency balance
How lenders compute what you owe after a repossession sale, and how to check or dispute it.
-
Your options, updated Oct 26, 2026
Voluntary surrender
Handing the car back saves some fees, but the debt and the credit damage can remain.
-
Negative equity, updated Oct 26, 2026
Upside-down car loan
Why you can owe more than the car is worth, what rolling it over costs, and your options.
-
Dealer tactics, updated Oct 26, 2026
Yo-yo financing
The dealer says your financing fell through after you drove away. What to check and what to refuse.
-
Your rights, updated Oct 26, 2026
Dealer complaints
Which agency handles which problem, what records to gather, and when to consider small claims.