Ford Patent Would Let Self-Driving Cars Repossess Themselves

Ford has filed a patent application for a system that would allow self-driving vehicles to repossess themselves if the owner falls behind on payments. The idea is straightforward: when a car detects that its owner has missed loan or lease payments, it could use its autonomous capabilities to drive itself back to the dealership or a repossession lot — no tow truck required.

The patent aims to solve a practical problem for lenders. Today, repossession usually means hiring an agent to find and physically take back a vehicle, which can be costly and sometimes dangerous. A car that can return itself would streamline that process and reduce the need for human intervention.

The filing is part of a broader push by automakers to explore new features tied to autonomous driving, though it is unclear whether Ford intends to put the system into production. The patent application was first reported by CBS News.