How to File a Complaint Against Santander Consumer USA

So you have a complaint against Santander Consumer USA’s hidden fees, poor service, or misleading sales tactics.

You’ve probably tried calling customer service. If you were lucky you got in touch with an actual person but they still didn’t resolve your issue. If you were unlucky you spent hours on hold listening to old music or getting automated emails. So now you want to know:

• How do I file a legal claim against Santander Consumer USA?
• How to sue Santander Consumer USA in small claims court?
• How do I file a claim in arbitration?

Read on to learn about different ways of filing a claim against Santander Consumer USA, and what you should know about each:

File a Claim against Santander Consumer USA in Small Claims Court

What is it? You’re not allowed to sue Santander Consumer USA in most courts but you can use small claims court. With small claims court you can go before a judge and try to get compensation. However, there are limits to the claim you can present. 

Most small claims court limits range from $2,500 to $10,000. If your issue with Santander is more than that, small claims court might not work. 

What’s more, there are court fees you have to pay too. These vary from state to state. You are also limited in the type of claim you get. Small claims court is only for monetary compensation, so if there was damage to your identity, or something tangible, you won’t be able to get a replacement.

When to try it: You have time and money to go back and forth to your local courthouse. 

What you need to do: Locate your local small claims court and follow the steps laid out by the small claims court online. This is usually simpler than normal lawsuits, but you must follow each step precisely or your claim will be thrown out. 

What to expect: If you follow all the steps and have evidence for your claim against Santander Consumer USA, there’s a good chance you’ll get compensation. If you start the process, you might luck out; Santander Consumer USA may even offer you a settlement in exchange for dropping the civil suit against them.

File a Complaint against Santander Consumer USA with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

What is it? The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (“CFPB”) is a federal government agency that regulates much of their business. The CFPB provides an informal channel for consumers to submit claims and complaints against Santander Consumer USA. What happens after you file a claim is based on the internal procedures of the bureau. You can find more information about these procedures here.

When to try it:  Try it when you’re frustrated and you really want to make your complaint known not just to the public but to the. This won’t get you compensation but it will ensure that Santander Consumer USA’s practices are made known.

What you need to do: File an informal complaint on the CFPB’s public website by following the instructions here.

What to expect:  Once you file a complaint it gets posted in a public database where people can see it. It will also play a role in determining the CFPB’s priorities for regulating companies like Santander Consumer USA. The company may be asked to respond to it, but you won’t necessarily get a response.

File a Better Business Bureau Complaint against Santander Consumer USA

What is it? The Better Business Bureau (“BBB”) and its local chapters are private organizations that collect and publish complaints against a wide range of companies. The BBB collects customer complaints against Santander Consumer USA,  and gives Santander Consumer USA a chance to respond to those complaints.

When to try it: Do it when their BBB page shows that  Santander Consumer USA is responding to other customers actively. It’ll be very clear when they are posting customer responses and you can verify that the date is somewhat recent. However, you are able to post it anytime if you just want your dissatisfaction on the internet for other consumers to read. 

What you need to do: Go to Santander Consumer USA’s BBB profile and follow the instructions for submitting a complaint.

What to expect:  What happens next is ultimately contingent upon whether Santander Consumer USA decides to respond to you. They might reach out directly or through the BBB page. They might ask for more information or not.

File a Claim Against Santander Consumer USA through Independent Arbitration

What is it? Even though you can’t join class action lawsuits, your user agreement with companies like Santander Consumer USA does allow you to pursue independent arbitration where you argue your case before an independent arbitrator who works somewhat similar to a judge. This costs the company money so they are more likely to take your complaints seriously if you let them know that you are starting an arbitration process against them.

When to try it: Any situation in which you believe Santander Consumer USA has misled you, violated their contract with you, or violated the law can be pursued through arbitration. 

What you need to do: Fill out our form below or start your claim against Santander Consumer USA.

What to expect: For more details about arbitration, click here. (For a list of companies we process complaints against, start here.) Share your Santander Consumer USA complaint today!