Consumer complaint received 2025-03-01 00:00:00
Product: Vehicle loan or lease — Loan
Issue: Getting a loan or lease — Did not receive car title
Company: SANTANDER HOLDINGS USA, INC.
State: FL

Complaint narrative:
Business Information ( Dealership ) Business Name : XXXX XXXX Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, FL XXXX Phone Number : [ Dealership Contact, if available ] Business Information ( Lender ) Business Name : Santander Consumer USA Address : XXXX XXXX XXXX, XXXX, TX XXXX Phone Number : ( XXXX ) XXXX Nature of the Complaint I am filing a formal complaint against XXXX XXXX and Santander Consumer USA for engaging in deceptive trade practices, negligent lending, and violations of Florida and federal consumer protection laws. 

XXXX XXXX sold me a vehicle without transferring the title in compliance with Florida law. 
Santander Consumer USA approved financing for a vehicle that was not legally transferred to me at the time of loan issuance. 
Both parties have failed to address my formal dispute and have refused to remedy the defective transaction. 
Issue Summary On XX/XX/XXXX, I purchased a XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX : XXXX ) from XXXX  XXXX XXXX XXXX ). 
Florida law ( F.S. 319.23 ) requires that a dealership transfer the vehicle title to the buyer within 30 days of sale. 
The dealership failed to transfer the title within the required timeframe, and it was not transferred until XX/XX/XXXX, which exceeds the legal deadline. 
At the time Santander approved the loan, the title was not legally in my name, making the financing agreement invalid. 
My temporary registration expired on XX/XX/XXXX, leaving me unable to legally drive the vehicle. 
On XX/XX/XXXX, I sent a formal demand letter via registered mail to XXXX XXXX and Santander requesting cancellation of the sale and loan. 
Neither party has responded or taken any corrective action. 
Consumer Protection Violations 1 Violations by XXXX XXXX ( XXXX ) Deceptive Trade Practices XXXX  XXXX engaged in unfair and deceptive trade practices by selling a vehicle without properly handling the title transfer. 
Florida Statute 319.23 ( 6 ) ( a ) requires dealers to transfer a title within 30 daysfailure to do so makes the sale legally defective. 
The temporary registration expired on XX/XX/XXXX, making the vehicle undrivable and exposing me to legal penalties. 
Despite being served a formal demand via certified mail on XX/XX/XXXX, XXXX XXXX has failed to respond or take action. 
Legal Violations : Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act ( FDUTPA ) ( F.S. 501.204 ) prohibits deceptive business practices.

Failure to transfer a title within the legal timeframe constitutes a breach of contract.

2 Violations by Santander Consumer USA ( Lender ) Negligent Lending and Predatory Financing Santander approved financing for a vehicle that was not legally transferred to me at the time of loan issuance.

Florida Statute 319.22 ( 1 ) states that a certificate of title must be properly executed to legally transfer ownership.

By financing a vehicle before verifying that I legally owned it, Santander engaged in negligent lending practices.

Santander has refused to acknowledge or respond to my formal dispute regarding the defective transaction.

Legal Violations : The Fair Credit Billing Act ( FCBA ) requires lenders to properly investigate disputes related to defective transactions.

The Consumer Financial Protection Act ( CFPA ) prohibits predatory lending.

The Federal Truth in Lending Act ( TILA ) requires lenders to ensure the accuracy and legitimacy of financing agreements.

Impact of These Violations Financial harm Emotional distress My ability to use the vehicle has been restricted due to an expired temporary registration.

Legal defect in the sale and loan The dealerships failure to comply with Florida law should render the transaction void.

Requested Actions from CFPB I request that the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau take the following actions : Investigate XXXX  XXXX for violations of Florida consumer protection laws and deceptive trade practices. 
Investigate Santander Consumer USA for negligent lending and predatory financing. 
Require XXXX XXXX to retrieve the vehicle and void the sale. 
Require Santander to cancel the loan and refund all payments made. 
Enforce penalties against both parties for violating consumer protection laws. 
Supporting Documents Included Copy of Vehicle Registration showing issue and expiration date.

Copy of Purchase Agreement/Contract from the dealership.

Certified Mail Receipt and Copy of the Demand Letter Sent to XXXX XXXX and Santander on XX/XX/XXXX. 
Any correspondence with XXXX XXXX and Santander regarding the loan dispute and delayed title transfer. 

Conclusion The actions of XXXX XXXX and Santander Consumer USA violate federal and state consumer protection laws. I respectfully request that the CFPB investigate this matter and take appropriate enforcement actions. 

Please confirm receipt of this complaint and provide next steps. I look forward to a resolution of this issue. 

Sincerely,

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation