Consumer complaint received 2018-10-14
Company: Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc.
State: MO
Product: Vehicle loan or lease
Sub-product: Loan
Issue: Struggling to pay your loan
Sub-issue: Denied request to lower payments

Complaint:
On XX/XX/XXXX my mother passed away unexpectedly. As Beneficiary of her property left me to pay her equity, utilities, and other payments alone. I am XXXX  and receive Social Security benefits to live. I have lived with my mother off and on for over 35 years paying rooming expenses, and working where I can. I purchased a car in XX/XX/XXXX for us after the car we had for transportation was too expensive to repair. It was left to us in my father 's will when he passed. The car I had before this had been stolen, wrecked, and a hole punched in the gas tank rendered it useless. In the past I have been on time with my payments, insurance, and taxes but it very difficult for me to maintain the same payment regimen without mothers Social Security and Pension that supported us both. I can no longer afford to make the past due amount of {$750.00}, there is nothing left of my benefits after the Mortgage and utility payments are made. When I spoke with a representative to request a reduction in payments for 6 months or more my request was denied. He did offer to allow me 30 day delay to make a regular monthly payment that would be retroactive to not reflect the lapse. I was not able to comply due to heavy expenses of paying utilities that had threatened to be shut off. A recent letter stated if past due payments were not received by XX/XX/XXXX the lender is prepared by law to take repossession action to recover their loss and any under payment they received as a result would be billed to me. I am not arguing their right by authority to repossess the car, but I do wish to mention that since I have had the car I have received at least 3 Recall Notices for mandatory repairs that were required legally and deemed unsafe malfunctions. Although I never had to pay for the repairs, it is scary to know the car we were driving may have dangerously faulty parts that may malfunction at any time. I feel that I should not have to owe them anything if they repossess the automobile. I realize I will be out of a way for private transportation, but public transit is a possibility I can utilize even though I have a XXXX, walking is difficult and painful at times for me. This was the main purpose of purchasing an automobile, it did not matter if it was shiny and slightly used or a XXXX XXXX rebuilt as long as it could safely take me and mother to and from our destination. I am hoping the lender will allow me additional time, with a reduced monthly payment but I seriously do not believe this will happen. On the other side, if the lender repossesses the auto then give me some credit for timely payments, mandatory repairs, and omit any interests they may claim I owe them as a result of their actions. I would like to keep the auto, but if letting them repo it is a solution to the past due amounts I will not stand in their way. 
I hope a mutually compatible agreement can be reached either way. Thank you for any help you may be able to provide. Sincerely,

Company response to consumer: Closed with monetary relief