William Lipovsky
One partial payment is unlikely to result in repossession, but if you have an extended history of partial payments, your lender may choose to repossess your vehicle.
While vehicle repossession is always a possibility, it is often the last resort for lenders. More often than not, lenders are willing to renegotiate loan terms and alter payment schedules to help you finish paying off your car.
If you are in good standing with your lender and have a solid payment history, it may be possible to get a one-time courtesy pass to help with extenuating circumstances. Other times the company may offer some sort of grace period.
In all cases, a total lack of communication and failure to pay the balance in full for several months in a row will result in repossession.
Policies by Lender
Below, we cover the repossession policies of several major lenders. To gather this information, we contacted each company’s customer service department.
Ally Auto Finance
Note: See our related research for more details on Ally’s late payment policy.
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies based on account[1]
- Steps before repossession: Ally will charge a fee and a finance charge, and there will be a 30-day grace period after which your credit will be impacted.[1]
- How long before repossession? Varies case-by-case; 30-day grace period before credit is impacted and repossession becomes possible[1]
- Contact: Send an email (must log in) or call customer service at (888) 919-2559
Bank of America
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies on a case-by-case basis[2]
- Steps before repossession: Bank of America issues a warning after 10 days, and provides an additional 30-day grace period before sending the account to collections.[2]
- How long before repossession? 40 days[2]
- Contact: (800) 215-6195
BMW Financial Services
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies on a case-by-case basis[3]
- Steps before repossession: Varies by state[3]; see our related research for information on the repossession process by state
- How long before repossession? Varies by state[3]
- Contact: Sign on to chat or call (800) 576-5000
Bridgecrest Acceptance Corp
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies by dealership[4]
- Steps before repossession: Varies by dealership[4]
- How long before repossession? Varies by dealership[4]
- Contact: Send a message or call (800) 967-8526
Capital One Auto Finance
Note: Our related research has the details on Capital One’s auto repossession policy.
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies on a case-by-case basis[5]
- Steps before repossession: Varies on a case-by-case basis; no specific repossession policy[5]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis[5]
- Contact: (800) 946-0332
Carmax Auto Finance
- Repossesses after partial payments? Yes[6]
- Steps before repossession: Grace period is offered, but varies by state (e.g., Texas has a 15-day grace period)[6]
- How long before repossession? Varies by state[6]; see our related research on state repossession laws
- Contact: (800) 759-4091
Chase Auto Finance
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies on a case-by-case basis[7]
- Steps before repossession: Varies on a case-by-case basis[7]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis[7]
- Contact: Send an email or call (800) 223-5050
Chrysler Capital
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies on a case-by-case basis[8]
- Steps before repossession: Varies on a case-by-case basis[8]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis[8]
- Contact: Log in to chat or call (855) 563-5635
Fifth Third Bank
- Repossesses after partial payments? Yes[9]
- Steps before repossession: Varies on a case-by-case basis[9]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis[9]
- Contact: Send a message or call (800) 972-3030
Ford Credit
- Repossesses after partial payments? Yes[10]
- Steps before repossession: Varies on a case-by-case basis[10]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis[10]
- Contact: Send an email or call (800) 727-7000
GM Financial
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies on a case-by-case basis[11]
- Steps before repossession: Varies on a case-by-case basis; partial payments may also affect credit history[11]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis[11]
- Contact: Log in to send a message or call (800) 284-2271
Honda Auto Finance
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies based on contract[12]
- Steps before repossession: Notices will be sent before the repossession process begins.[12]
- How long before repossession? Varies by contract and case-by-case[12]
- Contact: (800) 448-9307
Hyundai Motor Finance
- Repossesses after partial payments? Yes[13]
- Steps before repossession: Varies on a case-by-case basis[13]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis[13]
- Contact: Log in to send a message or call (800) 523-4030
Nissan Infiniti Financial Services
Note: Our previous research features the details on Nissan’s late payment grace period.
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies on a case-by-case basis[14]
- Steps before repossession: Varies on a case-by-case basis; Nissan has a department that specializes in collections that will work with you on a plan.[14]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis[14]
- Contact: (800) 456-6622
JSC Federal Credit Union
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies on a case-by-case basis[15]
- Steps before repossession: No standard policy, but partial payments are treated the same way as late payments and will affect your credit history.[15]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis[15]
- Contact: Send a message or call (281) 488-7070
Lexus Financial Services
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies on a case-by-case basis[16]
- Steps before repossession: Varies on a case-by-case basis[16]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis[16]
- Contact: (800) 874-7050
Mercedes-Benz Financial Services
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies on a case-by-case basis[17]
- Steps before repossession: Varies on a case-by-case basis[17]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis; you’re more likely to get a grace period if your account is in good standing.[17]
- Contact: Log in to send an email or call (800) 654-6222
Navy Federal Credit Union
Note: Our related research features the details on Navy Federal Credit Union’s auto repossession policy.
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies on a case-by-case basis[18]
- Steps before repossession: Varies; options include a new payment plan, promise-to-pay note, deferment, or loans[18]
- How long before repossession? Three to four months past due date (if you have not made any contact with the credit union)[18]
- Contact: Log in to chat or send a message or call (888) 842-6328
PNC Bank
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies on a case-by-case basis; in some situations PNC will work around partial payments[19]
- Steps before repossession: Varies on a case-by-case basis[19]
- How long before repossession? Two or three months if you do not contact PNC[19]
- Contact: (888) 762-2265
Santander Consumer USA
Note: Our previous research features the details on Santander’s repossession policy.
- Repossesses after partial payments? Yes[20]
- Steps before repossession: Varies on a case-by-case basis; you may be able to receive a grace period depending on your account status[20]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis[20]
- Contact: (888) 222-4227
SunTrust Bank
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies on a case-by-case basis[21]
- Steps before repossession: A billing specialist or the collections department will reach out to you before the repossession process begins.[21]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis[21]
- Contact: (888) 461-8862
TD Auto Finance
- Repossesses after partial payments? Yes[22]
- Steps before repossession: After 60 days, your credit will be impacted and the repossession process will begin.[22]
- How long before repossession? 60 days[22]
- Contact: Log in online or call (800) 556-8172
Toyota Financial Services
- Repossesses after partial payments? Varies based on the terms of your contract established through your dealership[23]
- Steps before repossession: Varies based on the terms of your contract[23]
- How long before repossession? Varies based on the terms of your contract[23]
- Contact: Use the contact form or call (800) 874-8822
U.S. Bank
- Repossesses after partial payments? Yes[24]
- Steps before repossession: Varies on a case-by-case basis[24]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis[24]
- Contact: Chat with a banker or call (800) 872-2657
Volkswagen Credit
- Repossesses after partial payments? Yes[25]
- Steps before repossession: Varies on a case-by-case basis, but Volkswagen will begin the repossession process after continuous partial payments if you don’t contact the company.[25]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis[25]
- Contact: Log in to send an email or call (800) 428-4034
Wells Fargo Auto Finance
- Repossesses after partial payments? Yes[26]
- Steps before repossession: Varies on a case-by-case basis; your account will go in past due status if partial payment is made.[26]
- How long before repossession? Varies on a case-by-case basis[26]
- Contact: (800) 289-8004
Avoiding Repossession
An extended track record of partial payments will negatively impact your future lines of credit, as well as putting you at risk for repossession.
The best way to avoid repossession is to stay in contact with your lender to communicate your financial situation and renegotiate your payment schedule.
Most lenders offer a grace period or adjustment in monthly costs. Some also allow you to defer car payments (as previously reported).
See our related research for more information on how repossession works and how to avoid it.
