Entity Central Index Key Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document and document entity information. Document And Document Entity Information [Abstract] Document and entity information line items. Document And Document Entity Information [Abstract] Document and entity information table. Document And Entity Information [Table] Document And Entity Information [Table] Legal Entity [Axis] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Entity [Domain] Document And Entity Information [Line Items] Document And Entity Information [Line Items] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document And Entity Information [Abstract] Document Type Document Type Amendment Flag Amendment Flag Document Period End Date Document Period End Date Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Entity Registrant Name Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Current Fiscal Year End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding Retail Installment Contracts Held For Investment Net Unsecured Loans Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement Of Financial Position [Abstract] Statement [Table] Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Statement [Line Items] Assets Assets [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents At Carrying Value Receivables held for sale Receivables Held For Sale Amount Retail installment contracts held for investment, net Retail Installment Contracts Held For Investment Net Unsecured consumer loans, net Unsecured Loans Restricted cash Restricted Cash And Cash Equivalents Receivables from dealers, held for investment, net Receivables From Brokers Dealers And Clearing Organizations Accrued interest receivable Interest Receivable Leased vehicles, net Capital Leases Balance Sheet Assets By Major Class Net Furniture and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $56,059 and $58,117, respectively Property Plant And Equipment Net Federal, state and other income taxes receivable Income Tax Receivable Deferred tax asset Deferred Tax Assets Liabilities Net Goodwill Goodwill Intangible assets Intangible Assets Net Excluding Goodwill Other assets Other Assets Total assets Assets Liabilities and Equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Liabilities: Liabilities [Abstract] Notes payable — credit facilities, $4,365,000 and $3,650,000 to affiliates, respectively Line Of Credit Notes payable — secured structured financings Secured Debt Accrued interest payable — $10,457 and $11,563 to affiliates, respectively Interest Payable Current And Noncurrent Accounts payable and accrued expenses — $41,788 and $39,772 to affiliates, respectively Accounts Payable And Accrued Liabilities Current And Noncurrent Federal, state and other income taxes payable Taxes Payable Current And Noncurrent Other liabilities Other Liabilities Total liabilities Liabilities Commitments and contingencies (Notes 5 and 10) Commitments And Contingencies Equity: Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract] Common stock, $0.01 par value - 1,100,000,000 shares authorized; 348,770,333 and 346,763,261 shares issued and ; 348,767,179 and 346,760,107 shares outstanding, respectively Common Stock Value Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid In Capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Retained earnings Retained Earnings Accumulated Deficit Total stockholders’ equity Stockholders Equity Total liabilities and equity Liabilities And Stockholders Equity Accrued Interest Payable Related Party Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses Related Party Accumulated depreciation Accumulated Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Property Plant And Equipment Notes payable — credit facilities to affiliates Notes Payable Related Parties Classified Current Accrued interest payable to affiliates Accrued Interest Payable Related Party Accounts payable and accrued expenses to affiliates Accounts Payable And Accrued Expenses Related Party Common stock , par value Common Stock Par Or Stated Value Per Share Common stock , shares authorized Common Stock Shares Authorized Common stock , shares issued Common Stock Shares Issued Common stock , shares outstanding Common Stock Shares Outstanding Financing Revenue And Other Interest Income Net Motor Vehicle Lease Expenses Profit Sharing Expense Interest Income Expense After Provision For Loan Losses And Profit Sharing Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic [Abstract] Net Income Loss Available To Common Stockholders Basic [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Income Statement [Abstract] Interest on finance receivables and loans Interest And Fee Income Loans And Leases Leased vehicle income Interest And Fee Income Loans Consumer Installment Automobiles Marine And Other Vehicles Other finance and interest income Interest And Other Income Total finance and other interest income Financing Revenue And Other Interest Income Net Interest expense — Including $34,243 and $11,512 to affiliates, respectively Interest Expense Leased vehicle expense Motor Vehicle Lease Expenses Net finance and other interest income Interest Income Expense Net Provision for loan losses Provision For Loan And Lease Losses Net finance and other interest income after provision for loan losses Interest Income Expense After Provision For Loan Loss Profit sharing Profit Sharing Expense Net finance and other interest income after provision for loan losses and profit sharing Interest Income Expense After Provision For Loan Losses And Profit Sharing Gain on sale of receivables Gain Loss On Sale Of Accounts Receivable Servicing fee income Servicing Fees Net Fees, commissions, and other Fees And Commissions Total other income Other Income Salary and benefits expense Labor And Related Expense Repossession expense Noninterest Expense Distribution And Servicing Fees Other operating costs Other Cost And Expense Operating Total operating expenses Operating Costs And Expenses Income before income taxes Income Loss From Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes Minority Interest And Income Loss From Equity Method Investments Income tax expense Income Tax Expense Benefit Net income Profit Loss Noncontrolling interests Income Loss Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Net income attributable to Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc. Net Income Loss Net income Other comprehensive income: Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Period Increase Decrease [Abstract] Change in unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of tax of $1,230 and $1,706 Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Net Of Tax Change in unrealized gains on investments available for sale, net of tax of zero and $943 Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Net Of Tax Other comprehensive income, net Other Comprehensive Income Loss Net Of Tax Comprehensive income Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive loss attributable to noncontrolling interests Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Comprehensive income attributable to Santander Consumer USA Holdings Inc. Comprehensive Income Net Of Tax Net income per common share (basic and diluted) Income Loss From Continuing Operations Per Basic And Diluted Share Dividends declared per common share Common Stock Dividends Per Share Declared Weighted average common shares (basic) Weighted Average Number Of Shares Outstanding Basic Weighted average common shares (diluted) Weighted Average Number Of Diluted Shares Outstanding Interest expense to affiliates Interest Expense Related Party Change in unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, tax Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Gain Loss On Derivatives Arising During Period Tax Change in unrealized gains on investments available for sale, tax Other Comprehensive Income Unrealized Holding Gain Loss On Securities Arising During Period Tax Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract] Equity Components Statement Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component Equity Component [Domain] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid In Capital [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income [Member] Retained Earnings Retained Earnings [Member] Noncontrolling Interests Noncontrolling Interest [Member] Balance Stockholders Equity Including Portion Attributable To Noncontrolling Interest Balance, shares Repayment of employee loans Proceeds From Repayment Of Loans By Employee Stock Ownership Plans Issuance of common stock, shares Stock Issued During Period Shares New Issues Purchase of treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock Shares Acquired Stock issued in connection with employee incentive compensation plans Stock Issued During Period Value Share Based Compensation Stock issued in connection with employee incentive compensation plans, shares Stock Issued During Period Shares Share Based Compensation Stock based compensation expense Adjustments To Additional Paid In Capital Sharebased Compensation Requisite Service Period Recognition Value Capital contribution received from shareholder Proceeds From Contributed Capital Other comprehensive income, net of taxes Balance Balance, shares Derivative Income Expense Net Federal Income Taxes Leased vehicle purchased. Manufacturer incentives received. Proceeds from termination of leased vehicles. Increase decrease in revolving unsecured consumer loans. Collections on unsecured consumer term loans. Payments On Notes Payable Related To Secured Structured Financings Payments on unsecured notes payable. Payments On Notes Payable Related To Credit Facilities Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Statement Of Cash Flows [Abstract] Cash flows from operating activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: Adjustments To Reconcile Net Income Loss To Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities [Abstract] Derivative mark to market Derivative Income Expense Net Provision for credit losses Depreciation and amortization Depreciation Depletion And Amortization Accretion of discount and capitalized origination costs, net Accretion Expense Including Asset Retirement Obligations Originations and purchases of receivables held for sale Payments For Origination And Purchases Of Loans Held For Sale Proceeds from sales of and repayments on receivables held for sale Proceeds From Sale Of Loans Held For Sale Gain on sale of receivables Stock-based compensation Share Based Compensation Deferred tax benefit Deferred Income Tax Expense Benefit Changes in assets and liabilities: Increase Decrease In Operating Capital [Abstract] Accrued interest receivable Increase Decrease In Accrued Interest Receivable Net Accounts receivable Increase Decrease In Accounts Receivable Federal income tax and other taxes Federal Income Taxes Other assets Increase Decrease In Other Operating Assets Accrued interest payable Increase Decrease In Interest Payable Net Other liabilities Increase Decrease In Other Operating Liabilities Net cash provided by operating activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Operating Activities Continuing Operations Cash flows from investing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities [Abstract] Retail installment contracts originated or purchased from dealers Payments To Acquire Finance Receivables Collections on retail installment contracts Proceeds From Collection Of Loans Receivable Proceeds from sale of loans held for investment Proceeds From Sale Of Loans Held For Investment Leased vehicles purchased Leased Vehicle Purchased Manufacturer incentives received Manufacturer Incentives Received Proceeds from termination of leased vehicles Proceeds From Termination Of Leased Vehicles Change in revolving unsecured consumer loans Increase Decrease In Revolving Unsecured Consumer Loans Unsecured consumer term loans purchased Gain Loss On Sales Of Consumer Loans Collections on unsecured consumer term loans Collections On Unsecured Consumer Term Loans Disbursements for receivables from lenders held for investment Payments To Acquire Leases Held For Investment Collections on receivables from lenders held for investment Proceeds From Leases Held For Investment Collections on investments available for sale Proceeds From Sale Of Available For Sale Securities Purchases of furniture and equipment Payments To Acquire Furniture And Fixtures Sales of furniture and equipment Proceeds From Sale Of Furniture And Fixtures Change in restricted cash Increase Decrease In Restricted Cash Other investing activities Payments For Proceeds From Other Investing Activities Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Investing Activities Continuing Operations Cash flows from financing activities: Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities [Abstract] Proceeds from notes payable related to secured structured financings — net of debt issuance costs Proceeds From Secured Notes Payable Payments on notes payable related to secured structured financings Payments On Notes Payable Related To Secured Structured Financings Proceeds from unsecured notes payable Proceeds From Unsecured Notes Payable Payments on unsecured notes payable Payments On Unsecured Notes Payable Proceeds from notes payable Proceeds From Notes Payable Payments on notes payable Payments On Notes Payable Related To Credit Facilities Proceeds from stock option exercises, gross Proceeds From Stock Options Exercised Repurchase of stock - employee tax withholding Payments Related To Tax Withholding For Share Based Compensation Repayment of employee notes Repayments Of Notes Payable Capital contribution from shareholder Cash collateral posted on derivatives Increase Decrease In Cash Collateral For Borrowed Securities Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided By Used In Financing Activities Continuing Operations Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Cash And Cash Equivalents Period Increase Decrease Cash — Beginning of period Cash — End of period Text Block [Abstract] Description of Business, Basis of Presentation, and Significant Accounting Policies Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Finance Receivables Financing Receivables [Text Block] Loan Loss Allowance and Credit Quality Loans Notes Trade And Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] Leased Vehicles, Net Leases Of Lessor Disclosure [Text Block] Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Securitization Activities [Text Block] Asset Securitizations Securitization Activities [Text Block] Derivative Financial Instruments Derivative Instruments And Hedging Activities Disclosure [Text Block] Other Assets Other Assets Disclosure [Text Block] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Related-Party Transactions Related Party Transactions Disclosure [Text Block] Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Employee Benefit Plans Compensation And Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block] Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Comprehensive Income Note [Text Block] Subsequent Events Subsequent Events [Text Block] Basis of Presentation Basis Of Accounting Policy Policy [Text Block] Business Segment Information Segment Reporting Policy Policy [Text Block] Accounting Policies Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Recent Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements Policy Policy [Text Block] Finance Receivables Held For Sale Table [Text Block] Summary of Finance Receivables Held for Investment Finance Receivables Held For Sale Table [Text Block] Schedule Of Changes In Accretable Yield Table [Text Block] Changes in Accretable Yield on Purchased Receivables Portfolios Schedule Of Changes In Accretable Yield Table [Text Block] Summary of Activity in Loan Loss Allowance Allowance For Credit Losses On Financing Receivables Table [Text Block] Allowance For Credit Losses On Purchased Receivables Portfolios [Table Text Block] Summary of Activity in Loan Loss Allowance Related to Purchased Receivables Portfolios Allowance For Credit Losses On Purchased Receivables Portfolios Table [Text Block] Summary of Delinquencies Past Due Financing Receivables Table [Text Block] Credit Risk Table [Text Block] Summary of Credit Risk Profile Credit Risk Table [Text Block] Summary Commercial Loan Credit Quality Indicators for Receivables from Dealers Held for Investment Financing Receivable Credit Quality Indicators Table [Text Block] Summary of Company's TDRs Troubled Debt Restructurings On Financing Receivables Table [Text Block] Schedule Of Performing And Nonperforming Troubled Debt Restructurings On Financing Receivables [Table Text Block] Summary of Performing and Nonperforming TDRs Schedule Of Performing And Nonperforming Troubled Debt Restructurings On Financing Receivables Table [Text Block]