Santander & Chrysler Capital SCRA: 6% Auto Cap
Part of: The Complete Guide to the SCRA
Santander Consumer is a major auto lender, and it runs Chrysler Capital, the finance arm behind a lot of Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Ram purchases. The SCRA gives you the 6% cap on a pre-service Santander or Chrysler Capital auto loan, plus penalty-free lease termination. With this lender, the reason to be precise is its history.
The Justice Department has gone after Santander twice over the SCRA: a 2015 settlement over repossessing more than 1,100 service members’ vehicles without a court order, and a later one for denying early lease terminations. The protections are strong, and so is the case for keeping a paper trail.
What you get
| Feature | Statutory SCRA | Santander / Chrysler Capital |
|---|---|---|
| Rate cap on pre-service auto loan | 6% APR | 6% APR |
| Repossession during service | Court order required | Court order required (settled for violating this) |
| Lease termination on orders | Penalty-free | Required (settled for denying it) |
| Interest above 6% | Forgiven | Forgiven |
| How to file | Written notice plus orders | Call 1-844-726-7272 or mail the SCRA address |
The cap, the no-repossession rule, and lease termination come from § 3937, § 3952, and § 3955.
How to apply
File your SCRA request with Santander or Chrysler Capital
- Confirm the loan or lease was signed before your active-duty start date.
- Call 1-844-726-7272 (1-844-SAN-SCRA), or mail your request and orders to Santander Bank, N.A., SCRA, Mailcode MAQ-SCRA6, PO Box 841001, Boston, MA 02284.
- Attach your orders, or a § 3937 letter from the letter generator, and keep a copy of everything you send.
- Confirm the 6% rate and any lease termination in writing, and save the confirmation.
- If a vehicle is repossessed or a termination is denied, you may have an enforcement claim. See how to make a lender pay.
Things people trip on
This is a document-everything lender. Given the settlement history, do not rely on a phone call alone. Send written notice, keep proof of delivery, and save every confirmation.
Repossession needs a judge. If you bought the car and made a payment before active duty, Santander cannot repossess it during service without a court order. If it does, that is the exact violation it has already paid for.
Pre-service only for the rate cap. A loan opened during service is governed by the Military Lending Act, not the 6% SCRA cap. Compare lenders on the bank leaderboard.
The law behind this: 50 U.S.C. § 3937
Maximum rate of interest on debts incurred before military service — read the statute.
Frequently asked questions
How do I request SCRA benefits from Santander or Chrysler Capital?
Call 1-844-726-7272 (1-844-SAN-SCRA), or mail a written request with a copy of your orders to Santander Bank, N.A., SCRA, Mailcode MAQ-SCRA6, PO Box 841001, Boston, MA 02284. The 6% cap on eligible pre-service debt is retroactive to your active-duty start date.
Can Santander repossess my car while I am deployed?
Not without a court order if you bought the vehicle and made a payment before active duty. The SCRA bars repossession of a protected vehicle without a court order during service. Santander paid a federal settlement in 2015 over repossessing more than 1,100 service members' vehicles without one, so document everything.
Does Santander honor military lease termination?
It is required to. The SCRA lets you end a qualifying motor-vehicle lease early without penalty on PCS or deployment orders. A later Justice Department settlement specifically addressed Santander denying lease terminations to eligible service members, so put your request in writing and keep the proof.
Sources
Heads up: SCRA Saver publishes general information, not legal or financial advice. Laws change and every situation differs. Confirm details with your installation legal assistance office (free for service members) or a licensed professional.