How can a co borrower get out of a car loan?

Asked by: Dr. Casimir Runte  |  Last update: November 7, 2025
Score: 5/5 (39 votes)

A co-signer or co-borrower can request a release from a car loan, refinance the loan, pay off the loan or sell the vehicle to remove themselves from the loan agreement. It is important to communicate with the other borrower and come to an agreement on how to handle the loan before taking any action.

Can a co-borrower be removed from a car loan?

Removing a co-signer from a car loan requires the loan to be paid off. If there's a balance remaining, that amount must be refinanced. The primary borrower could possibly qualify alone, or a new co-signer may be needed.

How can I legally get out of a cosigned loan?

lenders do not remove co signers from loans. The debt has to be retired. This can be done by paying it off directly or refinancing the loan.

Does a co-borrower have rights to the car?

A co-borrower, also known as a joint applicant, shares equal ownership rights of the car with the primary borrower. They have legal authority to use the vehicle as they please.

Can a co-borrower be removed from title?

While only one co-borrower will retain ownership of the home after the other is removed from the mortgage, the departing co-borrower may still have to take additional action to remove their name from the house title and give up their ownership rights.

How to Take a Co-Signer Off a Car Loan

27 related questions found

Can you remove a co-borrower without refinancing?

A loan assumption or modification could release a co-borrower from your mortgage without refinancing, preserving the current homeownership. However, lenders aren't required to grant these options, so be prepared to negotiate.

How do I remove a co-borrower from my car title after payoff?

Removing Your Name From A Joint Auto Loan
  1. Pay off the loan. If you can pay off the remaining balance, then you end the loan and the obligation to the loan contract. ...
  2. Refinance. If one co-borrower wants to keep the car and one wants their name removed from the loan, they can try to qualify for refinancing. ...
  3. Sell the car.

Can a co-borrower take possession of the car after?

The answer is no, the cosigner has no legal right to take possession of the car. As a cosigner, you don't have legal ownership rights to the vehicle.

Does a co-borrower go on the title?

Their credentials are used, in conjunction with yours, to qualify for a home loan. This means they share the financial responsibility of loan repayment and have partial ownership of the asset. For our purposes, the asset will be your home. This means your co-borrowers' name will appear next to yours on the title.

Do both parties have to be present to sell a car?

Even though you both own the car, you may not both need to be present when you sell or trade the vehicle. When you need to sell the car but the co-borrower can't be there, you may be able to sign over the title without them, but you can't do it without their permission.

How do I get my name off a cosigned car?

Your best option to get your name off a large cosigned loan is to have the person who's using the money refinance the loan without your name on the new loan. Another option is to help the borrower improve their credit history.

How to get out of being a co-borrower?

  1. Transfer the balance to a 0% card. The original borrower can move any remaining credit card or loan debt to a balance transfer credit card. ...
  2. Get a loan release. ...
  3. Consolidate or refinance the debt. ...
  4. Remove your name from a credit card account. ...
  5. Sell the financed asset. ...
  6. Pay off the balance.

Can a cosigner take possession of a car if it is not paid?

Cosigners can't take possession of the vehicle they cosign for or remove the primary borrower from the loan since their name isn't on the vehicle's title.

Can a co buyer repossess a car?

If you don't pay up, the creditor may sue you to collect the deficiency. A “co-signer” (meaning “co-borrower”) does not have the same right to repossess a vehicle if there is a default on the loan in the same manner the lender does.

Can you sue to be removed as a cosigner?

If the borrower forged your signature, or if they committed fraud to enforce you to sign the loan contract, you can sue both the lender and the primary borrower to have your name removed. However, you'll need unquestionable proof that you did not willingly consent to cosign the loan.

How to get rid of a car loan legally?

Jump to:
  1. Sell the Car.
  2. Renegotiate the Terms of the Loan.
  3. Refinance the Loan.
  4. Pay off the Loan.
  5. Consider a Voluntary Repossession.
  6. Other Options.
  7. Getting Out of a Car Lease.

Who owns the car if there is a co-borrower?

Equal rights: The co-borrower has equal rights to the car as the primary borrower. This means the co-owner must be involved in the sale or transfer of the car. Insurance: Even if the co-owner doesn't use the car, they will likely need to be on the insurance policy. This can mean higher costs for both involved.

What rights does a co-borrower have?

Rights of co-borrowers

All areas of the property are accessible to each individual. Also, each owner decides who receives her share of the property when she dies. So not all owners will receive their share. The other co-owners must consent to the sale of an owner's share.

How do I remove a co-borrower from my title?

Removing a cosigner or co-borrower from a mortgage almost always requires paying off the loan in full or refinancing by getting a new loan in your own name. Under rare circumstances, though, the lender may allow you to take over an existing mortgage from your other signer.

How do I remove a co-borrower from my car loan?

To get a co-signer release you will first need to contact your lender. After contacting them, you can request the release — if the lender offers it. This is just paperwork that removes the co-signer from the loan and places you, the primary borrower, as the sole borrower on the loan.

Can a jointly owned car be seized?

1. If the car is jointly owned, then the creditor has the right to foreclose on their lien, which would include a forced sale of the car; 2. This is the case even if your car is jointly owned with your wife.

Does a co-buyer have rights to a car?

As an equal partner on the financial agreement, a co-buyer shares the benefits of ownership and the financial accountability. This means that the co-buyer and the primary borrower have the same rights, such as the ability to sell the vehicle or trade it in (though both parties would have to agree to do so).

Can you remove someone from a car loan without refinancing?

Key takeaways

A co-signer or co-borrower can request a release from a car loan, refinance the loan, pay off the loan or sell the vehicle to remove themselves from the loan agreement. It is important to communicate with the other borrower and come to an agreement on how to handle the loan before taking any action.

How do I get a lien release letter?

The lender will record the mortgage or deed of trust document in the public records with the appropriate agency in the county where the property is located. Once the loan is repaid, the lender should provide a recordable lien release document.

Can a lawyer get you out of a car loan?

A lawyer likely can't help you, but the bank may be able to. Contact the bank you financed through, and tell them what happened, see if they can assist.