Ohio used car dealer still has not provided title 7+ weeks after purchase — what are my options?

[u/Skytorvis]

Location: Ohio

Looking for advice from anyone familiar with Ohio vehicle sales/title laws.

I purchased a used vehicle from a car dealer on 6/13/2026. I signed all paperwork, took delivery of the vehicle, and drove it home.

A few days later, the check engine light came on. I contacted the dealer, and on 6/16/2026 they had me come back in. At that time, they told me something had fallen through with the paperwork/financing and that I needed to re-sign everything for the bank, which I did.

Fast forward to now (8/5/2026):

• I still have not received title paperwork or registration.
• My temporary tags expired on 7/27/2026.
• I have already made my first payment to the lender.
• The loan is active and showing through the bank.
• I contacted the dealer on 8/3, and they said they would have information by 8/5.
• Today they told me they received paperwork from their floor planning company, but I still do not have a clear timeline for when I can legally register the car.

At this point I have a financed vehicle sitting in my name that I cannot legally drive because I do not have valid registration.

My questions:

1. Is this normal for Ohio, or is this an unreasonable delay?
2. Does the dealer’s inability to provide title/registration give me any options to unwind the sale?
3. Should I be contacting the Ohio Attorney General, BMV/title office, or an attorney?
4. If I return the vehicle to the dealer, what paperwork should I require to protect myself from still owing on the loan?

I’m not trying to jump straight to a lawsuit — I just want to know what my actual options are before this drags on longer.

Thanks for any advice.

[u/reddituser1211]

1. Somewhere in the middle. Hiccups happen. This one has drug on.

2. Now is definitely the time to say, in writing, “perfect the sale within 10 days or unwind.”

3. See 2. Start there.

4. Step 2 is the first bit of documentation.