Consumer complaint received 2025-06-01 00:00:00
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Loan
Issue: Managing the loan or lease — Problem with the interest rate
Company: DriveTime
State: MO

Complaint narrative:
XXXX & XXXX Details : Purchase Date : XX/XX/XXXX Vehicle : XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX  XXXX Amount Financed : {$18000.00} Interest Rate : XXXX XXXX  ( highly inflated and unjustified ) Finance Charge : {$17000.00} BiWeekly Payment : {$230.00} Issues & Complaints : Misrepresented Credit Score : DriveTime reported my credit score as XXXX. Actual XXXX  verified score was XXXXat the time of purchase, currently XXXX. 
Predatory Lending Terms : The falsely reported lower credit score led directly to unfairly inflated loan terms, significantly harming our financial situation.

Vehicle Defects & Warranty Issues : Immediate severe mechanical issues emerged shortly after purchase, exacerbating financial harm due to extensive downtime, lack of adequate warranty support ( XXXX ), and subsequent denial of XXXX  repair coverage. 
Actions Taken So Far : Formal demand letter submitted to DriveTime, XXXX, and XXXX on XX/XX/XXXX. 
Complaint filed with Missouri Attorney General detailing these unfair practices. 



XXXX XXXX XXXX  Verified and Detailed Vehicle Issue Timeline XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Event : XXXX XXXX Vehicle purchased by XXXX XXXX from DriveTime. 
XXXX XXXX XXXX  Vehicle : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX XXXX XXXX 
XXXX XXXX XXXX Purchase Price & Value XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX Retail Value reported as {$13000.00} after sale date ( Page 1 ).

* * * Documentation : * * Retail Purchase Agreement confirms details and terms of the purchase ( Page 21 ). 
XXXX XXXX XXXX  Loan Terms : XXXX XXXX XXXX  Selling Price : {$17000.00} * Lien Filing Fee : {$6.00} * State Title Registration : {$14.00} XXXX Administration Fee : {$290.00} * XXXX XXXX Coverage : {$1000.00} * Sales Tax : {$1400.00} XXXX Subtotal : {$19000.00} XXXX Down Payment : {$1500.00} * Amount Financed : {$18000.00} * Interest Rate : 25.587 % * Finance Charge : {$17000.00} XXXX Payment Frequency : XXXX * Payment Amount : \ {$230.00} XXXX XXXX XXXX  Credit Score Issue : * * DriveTime reported credit score for co-signer as XXXX ( Page 31 ) ; XXXX credit overview shows actual score of XXXX on the date of purchase, raising predatory lending concerns ( Page 13 ). 

XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX  Event : XXXX XXXX Diagnostic performed at XXXX XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ). 
* * * Findings : * * XXXX XXXX in Cylinder XXXX ( XXXX XXXXXXXX ). 
* * * Recommendations : * * Replacement of ignition coil ( s ) and spark plug ( s ). 
* * * Mileage : XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX miles. 
* * * Documentation : * * XXXX XXXX diagnostic report ( Page XXXX ). 

* * XX/XX/XXXX : * * * * * Event : * * Check engine light came on ( first documented incident ). 
* * * Documentation : * * Service at XXXX & XXXX XXXX for XXXX XXXX checked ( XXXX Page 8 ) XXXX 

* * XX/XX/XXXX : * * * * * Event : * * Check engine light returned shortly after service from XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX ( second incident ). 
* * * Documentation : * * Implicitly documented through ongoing service records and repeat diagnostics ( XXXX Page 8 ). 

* * XX/XX/XXXX : * * * * * Event : * * Check engine light illuminated again ( third incident ). 
* * * Documentation : * * Subsequent severe mechanical issues confirmed by continuous follow-up diagnostics ( XXXX Page 8 ). 

* * XX/XX/XXXX ( XXXX AM ) : * * * * * Event : * * Vehicle diagnosed by XXXX & XXXX XXXX as requiring a new engine. 
* * * Documentation : * * Confirmed indirectly through repeated service and diagnostics records ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ). 

* * XX/XX/XXXX : * * * * * Event : * * XXXX XXXX XXXX  XXXX requested a remanufactured engine via XXXX warranty. 
* * * Documentation : * * Supported implicitly through ongoing diagnostics and repair processes detailed in XXXX history ( Page 8 ). 

* * XX/XX/XXXX : * * * * * Event : * * XXXX XXXX scheduled to diagnose the vehicle. 
* * * Documentation : * * Not explicitly detailed, inferred from chronological sequence of extensive documented repairs. 

* * XX/XX/XXXX : * * * * * Event : * * Vehicle returned after engine replacement. 
* * * Documentation : * * Timeline summary provided by owner. 

* * XX/XX/XXXX : * * * * * Event : * * Transmission issue diagnosed ; new transmission required. 
* * * Cost : * * {$150.00} diagnostic fee paid by XXXX XXXX. 
* * * Documentation : * * XXXX XXXX dealership receipt explicitly documents transmission diagnosis ( Page 44 ). 

# # # Additional Verified Details : * * * Previous Repossession : * * Vehicle was repossessed on XX/XX/XXXX, before the purchase ( XXXX XXXX XXXX ). 
* * * Repeated Maintenance Attempts : * * Initial maintenance attempted using XXXX treatment, temporary coil pack replacement ( XXXX XXXX Page 39 ). 
* * * Coolant Intrusion Issue : * * Identified as underlying severe engine issue leading to engine replacement. 
* * * XXXX XXXX from XXXX : * * Acknowledged by XXXX ; indicated coverage for coolant intrusion issues. 

# # # Predatory Lending Alert : * * * Critical Issue : * * Substantial discrepancy noted between credit scores ( Dealer-reported vs. Experian actual report ). 

* Dealer Report : Credit Score XXXX ( Page 31 ). 
* ActuaXXXX XXXX  Report : Score of XXXX on date of purchase ( Page XXXX ). 
* Updated credit report requested from DriveTime in XX/XX/XXXX ( Pages 45-48 ). 
* Indicates potential predatory lending practice or incorrect credit reporting by dealer. 

# # # Payment Clarifications : * Paid {$270.00} for XXXX  fluid exchange ( Dealership invoice, Page 42 ). 
* XXXX ( DriveTime ) paid {$380.00} for crankshaft pulley repair ( Page 42 ). 
* The remaining repair costs were covered by a special XXXX bulletin for coolant intrusion issues. 
* Transmission issue remains unresolved, and the quoted repair cost of approximately {$3800.00} has not yet been incurred. Believe this issue is related to the initial engine problem and should be covered due to inadequate inspection and early failure after purchase. 

# # # Sources and Documentation : * * * XXXX Vehicle History Report : * * Comprehensive vehicle history, service details, and ownership records ( Pages 1-12 ). 
* * * Dealer Purchase Documentation : * * Confirms details of sale, loan terms, and odometer disclosures ( Pages 14-38 ). 
* * * XXXX Credit Score Documentation : * * Validates discrepancy in credit reporting at purchase ( Pages 13, 31, 45-48 ). 
* * * Diagnostic and Service Receipts : * * Provide evidence of major mechanical issues, including engine and transmission diagnoses ( Pages 39, 41-44 ). 
* * * Customer Complaint Evidence : * * Example review highlighting systemic issues with DriveTime vehicle purchases ( Page 49 ).

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation