Jeep Title Question

[Koolcarguy]

Not sure where to post this, or if it's appropriate here at all, but figured you're all uniquely poised to (hopefully) answer this question...

I have a 2007 JK that I paid off, financed through DiamlerChrysler Financial, back in March 2012. The title I have from the MVA here in MD shows the lender as "DC FIN SVCS AMER LLC." I did some digging and found out that DiamlerChrysler Financial changed hands a few times, and eventually became Chrysler Capital. I contacted them, and for older vehicles like mine, they had me reach out to their parent company Santander Consumer USA. Miraculously, after shooting an email into a complete black hole, I received a lien release letter in the mail a few days later.

I've done all of this so I can try to sell my JK, however I'm running into some trouble because the title (which again, lists DC FIN SVCS AMER LLC as the lender) does not match the name/letterhead for the lien release I have, which came from Santander. Both list a matching VIN, and clearly I'm not still paying off my 17.5yr old Jeep at this point.

I also reached back to Santander asking if they can provide documentation that DC FIN SVCS AMER LLC is now known as Santander Consumer, but like I said - that request is like sending an email into the ether and hoping for a response (I felt lucky/shocked to receive the lien release in the first place).

While not ideal, I'm probably going to have to go to the MVA and try to have them take these two documents and re-issue a clear title, but I'm wondering if anyone else has had this experience? Everything I see online points to DiamlerChrysler Financial no longer existing, and their contact phone number matches Chrysler Capital's, which is who I called to eventually end up with paperwork from Santander in the first place.

Even if I just wanted to donate my JK, it seems that in MD, I'd still need the paperwork to match.

Anyone have any advice? Am I missing something?

Thanks in advance!

First thing I would check is when the lien expires? I know Co,Wy and Sd all liens have an expiration date. If lien is expired .Also check other states rules and call a title company in other states and have them get you a title

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[2terpsjeep]

I just wanted to provide an update...

I called a "tag & title" place here in Gaithersburg, MD who said that with the documentation I have (i.e. a title listing a defunct lender and a lien release from their now parent company - with mismatching names), they could submit a request to the MVA for a clear title, with no lender listed, that would be mailed to me directly. For the low price of $70. To their credit, instead of just taking my money, they also suggested that I could accomplish the same by going directly to the MVA myself.

I chose option 2. I made an appointment at the MVA Express (also in Gaithersburg), I was in and out in about 30 minutes, I dealt with someone who understood my issue immediately and was able to submit my request and give me a new title number right there on the spot, and I should receive a hard copy in the mail in a few days. Fingers crossed. All for free!

Thanks everyone for your input along the way! As always, this forum has been a great help. Hope you all have a great Holiday Season!

 

[2terpsjeep]

Last update... I had my appointment at the MVA on the 26th, and title arrived in the mail on January 2nd - exactly one week later, with New Year's in between.

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