<?xml version="1.0" encoding="US-ASCII" standalone="no"?>
    <!-- Field: Doc-Info; Name: Generator; Value: GoFiler Complete; Version: 5.3a -->
    <!-- Field: Doc-Info; Name: VendorURI; Value: http://www.novaworks.co -->
    <!-- Field: Doc-Info; Name: Source; Value: cps_a1%2D20200331.xfr; Date: 2020%2D05%2D05T18:52:15Z -->
    <!-- Field: Doc-Info; Name: Status; Value: 0x00000000 -->
<link:linkbase xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xsi:schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd">
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquity" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquity" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivables" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#FinanceReceivables" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SecuritizationTrustDebt" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#SecuritizationTrustDebt" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/Debt" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#Debt" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/InterestIncomeAndInterestExpense" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#InterestIncomeAndInterestExpense" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#IncomeTaxes" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/LegalProceedings" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#LegalProceedings" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivablesTables" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#FinanceReceivablesTables" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SecuritizationTrustDebtTables" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#SecuritizationTrustDebtTables" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/DebtTables" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#DebtTables" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/InterestIncomeAndInterestExpenseTables" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#InterestIncomeAndInterestExpenseTables" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/OtherIncomeDetails-OtherIncome" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#OtherIncomeDetails-OtherIncome" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/LeasesDetails-OperatingLeases" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#LeasesDetails-OperatingLeases" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/LeasesDetails-FinanceLeases" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#LeasesDetails-FinanceLeases" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/LeasesDetails-OtherLeaseInfo" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#LeasesDetails-OtherLeaseInfo" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/LeasesDetails-MaturitiesOfLeaseLiabilities" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#LeasesDetails-MaturitiesOfLeaseLiabilities" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/LeasesDetails-LeaseCost" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#LeasesDetails-LeaseCost" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/LeasesDetails-CashFlow" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#LeasesDetails-CashFlow" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/Stock-basedCompensationDetails-OptionActivity" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#Stock-basedCompensationDetails-OptionActivity" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/PurchasesOfCompanyStockDetails-StockPurchases" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#PurchasesOfCompanyStockDetails-StockPurchases" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsNarrative" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsNarrative" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivablesDetails-ComponentsOfFinanceReceivables" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#FinanceReceivablesDetails-ComponentsOfFinanceReceivables" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivablesDetails-DelinquencyStatus" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#FinanceReceivablesDetails-DelinquencyStatus" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivablesDetails-AmortizedCostBasis" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#FinanceReceivablesDetails-AmortizedCostBasis" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivablesDetails-SummaryOfActivity" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#FinanceReceivablesDetails-SummaryOfActivity" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivablesDetails-RepossessedInventory" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#FinanceReceivablesDetails-RepossessedInventory" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivablesDetailsNarrative" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#FinanceReceivablesDetailsNarrative" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SecuritizationTrustDebtDetails" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#SecuritizationTrustDebtDetails" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SecuritizationTrustDebtDetailsNarrative" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#SecuritizationTrustDebtDetailsNarrative" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/DebtDetails-DebtOutstanding" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#DebtDetails-DebtOutstanding" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/DebtDetailsNarrative" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#DebtDetailsNarrative" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/InterestIncomeAndInterestExpenseDetails-InterestIncome" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#InterestIncomeAndInterestExpenseDetails-InterestIncome" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/InterestIncomeAndInterestExpenseDetails-InterestExpense" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#InterestIncomeAndInterestExpenseDetails-InterestExpense" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails-EarningsPerShare" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#EarningsPerShareDetails-EarningsPerShare" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetailsNarrative" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#IncomeTaxesDetailsNarrative" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails-ReconciliationOfFinanceReceivables" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsDetails-ReconciliationOfFinanceReceivables" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails-FinanceReceivablesToTheirContractualBalances" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsDetails-FinanceReceivablesToTheirContractualBalances" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails-Level3FairValueMeasurements" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsDetails-Level3FairValueMeasurements" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails-DelinquencyStatus" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsDetails-DelinquencyStatus" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:roleRef roleURI="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails-FairValues" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#FairValueMeasurementsDetails-FairValues" xlink:type="simple" />
    <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#hypercube-dimension" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" />
    <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-domain" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" />
    <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" />
    <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#all" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" />
    <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#notAll" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/notAll" />
    <link:arcroleRef xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#dimension-default" arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation" xlink:title="00000001 - Document - Document and Entity Information" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheets" xlink:title="00000002 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSeriesAPreferredStockMember_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSeriesAPreferredStockMember_20" xlink:type="arc" order="21" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSeriesBPreferredStockMember_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSeriesBPreferredStockMember_40" xlink:type="arc" order="41" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAssetsAbstract_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAssetsAbstract_70" xlink:type="arc" order="0" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAssetsAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_70" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapRestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAssetsAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapRestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_70" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotesAndLoansReceivableGrossCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapNotesAndLoansReceivableGrossCurrent_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAssetsAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapNotesAndLoansReceivableGrossCurrent_70" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAssetsAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivableAllowanceForCreditLosses_70" xlink:type="arc" order="4" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NotesAndLoansReceivableNetCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapNotesAndLoansReceivableNetCurrent_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAssetsAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapNotesAndLoansReceivableNetCurrent_70" xlink:type="arc" order="5" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LoansReceivableFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLoansReceivableFairValueDisclosure_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAssetsAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLoansReceivableFairValueDisclosure_70" xlink:type="arc" order="6" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAssetsAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet_70" xlink:type="arc" order="7" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapDeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAssetsAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapDeferredIncomeTaxAssetsNet_70" xlink:type="arc" order="8" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAssetsAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable_70" xlink:type="arc" order="9" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherAssetsNoncurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapOtherAssetsNoncurrent_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAssetsAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapOtherAssetsNoncurrent_70" xlink:type="arc" order="10" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Assets" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAssets_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAssetsAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAssets_70" xlink:type="arc" order="11" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:type="arc" order="12" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAbstract_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAbstract_70" xlink:type="arc" order="13" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent_70" xlink:type="arc" order="14" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WarehouseAgreementBorrowings" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapWarehouseAgreementBorrowings_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapWarehouseAgreementBorrowings_70" xlink:type="arc" order="15" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_ResidualInterestFinancing" xlink:label="loc_cpssResidualInterestFinancing_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_cpssResidualInterestFinancing_70" xlink:type="arc" order="16" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PrincipalAmountOutstandingOnLoansSecuritized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPrincipalAmountOutstandingOnLoansSecuritized_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPrincipalAmountOutstandingOnLoansSecuritized_70" xlink:type="arc" order="17" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubordinatedDebt" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSubordinatedDebt_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSubordinatedDebt_70" xlink:type="arc" order="18" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_Liabilities" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLiabilities_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLiabilities_70" xlink:type="arc" order="19" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommitmentsAndContingencies" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommitmentsAndContingencies_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommitmentsAndContingencies_70" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:type="arc" order="21" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockValue_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockValue_70" xlink:type="arc" order="22" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockValue_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockValue_70" xlink:type="arc" order="23" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapRetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapRetainedEarningsAccumulatedDeficit_70" xlink:type="arc" order="24" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeLossNetOfTax_70" xlink:type="arc" order="25" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquity_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquity_70" xlink:type="arc" order="26" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity_70" xlink:type="arc" order="27" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParenthetical" xlink:title="00000003 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesAPreferredStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSeriesAPreferredStockMember_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSeriesAPreferredStockMember_20" xlink:type="arc" order="21" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SeriesBPreferredStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSeriesBPreferredStockMember_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSeriesBPreferredStockMember_40" xlink:type="arc" order="41" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquityAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:type="arc" order="0" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare_70" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesAuthorized_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesAuthorized_70" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesIssued_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesIssued_70" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesOutstanding_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPreferredStockSharesOutstanding_70" xlink:type="arc" order="4" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockNoParValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockNoParValue_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockNoParValue_70" xlink:type="arc" order="5" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesAuthorized" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesAuthorized_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesAuthorized_70" xlink:type="arc" order="6" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesIssued" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesIssued_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesIssued_70" xlink:type="arc" order="7" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockSharesOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesOutstanding_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquityAbstract_70" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockSharesOutstanding_70" xlink:type="arc" order="8" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations" xlink:title="00000004 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveIncome" xlink:title="00000005 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows" xlink:title="00000006 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/UnauditedCondensedConsolidatedStatementsOfShareholdersEquity" xlink:title="00000007 - Statement - UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS&apos; EQUITY">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementEquityComponentsAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EquityComponentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementEquityComponentsAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RetainedEarningsMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapRetainedEarningsMember_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapRetainedEarningsMember_10" xlink:type="arc" order="11" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapEquityComponentDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeMember_20" xlink:type="arc" order="21" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_50" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_50" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockholdersEquity" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquity_50" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockholdersEquity_50" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharesOutstanding" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSharesOutstanding_50" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSharesOutstanding_50" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CumulativeChangeInAccountingPrinciple" xlink:label="loc_cpssCumulativeChangeInAccountingPrinciple_50" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_50" xlink:to="loc_cpssCumulativeChangeInAccountingPrinciple_50" xlink:type="arc" order="4" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross_50" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodValueShareBasedCompensationGross_50" xlink:type="arc" order="5" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross_50" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesShareBasedCompensationGross_50" xlink:type="arc" order="6" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_50" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockRepurchasedDuringPeriodValue_50" xlink:type="arc" order="7" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_50" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_50" xlink:type="arc" order="8" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapOtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_50" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapOtherComprehensiveIncomeDefinedBenefitPlansNetUnamortizedGainLossArisingDuringPeriodNetOfTax_50" xlink:type="arc" order="9" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_50" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAdjustmentsToAdditionalPaidInCapitalSharebasedCompensationRequisiteServicePeriodRecognitionValue_50" xlink:type="arc" order="10" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_NetIncomeLoss" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapNetIncomeLoss_50" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncreaseDecreaseInStockholdersEquityRollForward_50" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapNetIncomeLoss_50" xlink:type="arc" order="11" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies" xlink:title="00000008 - Disclosure - 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivables" xlink:title="00000009 - Disclosure - 2. Finance Receivables" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SecuritizationTrustDebt" xlink:title="00000010 - Disclosure - 3. Securitization Trust Debt" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/Debt" xlink:title="00000011 - Disclosure - 4. Debt" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/InterestIncomeAndInterestExpense" xlink:title="00000012 - Disclosure - 5. Interest Income and Interest Expense" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/EarningsPerShare" xlink:title="00000013 - Disclosure - 6. Earnings Per Share" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/IncomeTaxes" xlink:title="00000014 - Disclosure - 7. Income Taxes" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/LegalProceedings" xlink:title="00000015 - Disclosure - 8. Legal Proceedings" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FairValueMeasurements" xlink:title="00000016 - Disclosure - 9. Fair Value Measurements" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies" xlink:title="00000017 - Disclosure - 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables" xlink:title="00000018 - Disclosure - 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivablesTables" xlink:title="00000019 - Disclosure - 2. Finance Receivables (Tables)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SecuritizationTrustDebtTables" xlink:title="00000020 - Disclosure - 3. Securitization Trust Debt (Tables)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/DebtTables" xlink:title="00000021 - Disclosure - 4. Debt (Tables)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/InterestIncomeAndInterestExpenseTables" xlink:title="00000022 - Disclosure - 5. Interest Income and Interest Expense (Tables)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/EarningsPerShareTables" xlink:title="00000023 - Disclosure - 6. Earnings Per Share (Tables)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsTables" xlink:title="00000024 - Disclosure - 9. Fair Value Measurements (Tables)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/OtherIncomeDetails-OtherIncome" xlink:title="00000025 - Disclosure - 1. Other Income (Details - Other income)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapIncomeStatementLocationAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapIncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapIncomeStatementLocationDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapIncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapIncomeStatementLocationDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncomeStatementLocationAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapIncomeStatementLocationDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_DirectMailRevenuesMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssDirectMailRevenuesMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssDirectMailRevenuesMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_ConvenienceFeeMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssConvenienceFeeMember_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssConvenienceFeeMember_20" xlink:type="arc" order="21" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_RecoveriesMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssRecoveriesMember_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssRecoveriesMember_40" xlink:type="arc" order="41" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_SalesTaxRefundsMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssSalesTaxRefundsMember_60" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssSalesTaxRefundsMember_60" xlink:type="arc" order="61" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherIncomeMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapOtherIncomeMember_80" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncomeStatementLocationDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapOtherIncomeMember_80" xlink:type="arc" order="81" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestAndOtherIncomeAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapInterestAndOtherIncomeAbstract_130" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapInterestAndOtherIncomeAbstract_130" xlink:type="arc" order="0" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherOperatingIncome" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapOtherOperatingIncome_130" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapInterestAndOtherIncomeAbstract_130" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapOtherOperatingIncome_130" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/LeasesDetails-OperatingLeases" xlink:title="00000026 - Disclosure - 1. Leases (Details - Operating leases)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/LeasesDetails-FinanceLeases" xlink:title="00000027 - Disclosure - 1. Leases (Details - Finance Leases)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/LeasesDetails-OtherLeaseInfo" xlink:title="00000028 - Disclosure - 1. Leases (Details - Other Lease Info)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/LeasesDetails-MaturitiesOfLeaseLiabilities" xlink:title="00000029 - Disclosure - 1. Leases (Details - Maturities of lease liabilities)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/LeasesDetails-LeaseCost" xlink:title="00000030 - Disclosure - 1. Leases (Details - Lease cost)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/LeasesDetails-CashFlow" xlink:title="00000031 - Disclosure - 1. Leases (Details - Cash flow)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/Stock-basedCompensationDetails-OptionActivity" xlink:title="00000032 - Disclosure - 1. Stock-based Compensation (Details - Option activity)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AwardTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAwardTypeAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAwardTypeAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapAwardTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockOptionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockOptionMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardTypeAndPlanNameDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockOptionMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_NumberOfShares" xlink:label="loc_cpssNumberOfShares_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_cpssNumberOfShares_40" xlink:type="arc" order="0" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cpssNumberOfShares_40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber_40" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cpssNumberOfShares_40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriod_40" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cpssNumberOfShares_40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesStockOptionsExercised_40" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cpssNumberOfShares_40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod_40" xlink:type="arc" order="4" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cpssNumberOfShares_40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber_40" xlink:type="arc" order="6" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_WeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_cpssWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_cpssWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" xlink:type="arc" order="7" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cpssWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" xlink:type="arc" order="8" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cpssWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" xlink:type="arc" order="9" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cpssWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisesInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" xlink:type="arc" order="10" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cpssWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" xlink:type="arc" order="11" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cpssWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice_40" xlink:type="arc" order="13" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_WeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm" xlink:label="loc_cpssWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_cpssWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm_40" xlink:type="arc" order="14" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cpssWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm_40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeOutstandingOptionsWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2_40" xlink:type="arc" order="15" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_cpssWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm_40" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSharebasedCompensationSharesAuthorizedUnderStockOptionPlansExercisePriceRangeExercisableOptionsWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2_40" xlink:type="arc" order="16" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/PurchasesOfCompanyStockDetails-StockPurchases" xlink:title="00000033 - Disclosure - 1. Purchases of Company Stock (Details - Stock purchases)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ClassOfStockDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementClassOfStockAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCommonStockMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapClassOfStockDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCommonStockMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareRepurchaseProgramAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareRepurchaseProgramAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareRepurchaseProgramAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareRepurchaseProgramAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapShareRepurchaseProgramDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_OpenMarketPurchasesMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssOpenMarketPurchasesMember_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssOpenMarketPurchasesMember_20" xlink:type="arc" order="22" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_SharesRedeemedMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssSharesRedeemedMember_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssSharesRedeemedMember_40" xlink:type="arc" order="42" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_OtherRepurchasesMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssOtherRepurchasesMember_60" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapShareRepurchaseProgramDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssOtherRepurchasesMember_60" xlink:type="arc" order="62" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_90" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStockRepurchasedDuringPeriodShares_90" xlink:type="arc" order="4" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapTreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_90" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapTreasuryStockAcquiredAverageCostPerShare_90" xlink:type="arc" order="5" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesDetailsNarrative" xlink:title="00000034 - Disclosure - 1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details Narrative)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivablesDetails-ComponentsOfFinanceReceivables" xlink:title="00000035 - Disclosure - 2. Finance Receivables (Details - Components of Finance Receivables)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivablesDetails-DelinquencyStatus" xlink:title="00000036 - Disclosure - 2. Finance Receivables (Details - Delinquency status)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivables1To29DaysPastDueMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivables1To29DaysPastDueMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivables1To29DaysPastDueMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivables30To59DaysPastDueMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivables30To59DaysPastDueMember_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivables30To59DaysPastDueMember_10" xlink:type="arc" order="11" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember_20" xlink:type="arc" order="21" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember_30" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember_30" xlink:type="arc" order="31" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentAgingAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentAgingAbstract_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentAgingAbstract_110" xlink:type="arc" order="0" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCurrent_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentAgingAbstract_110" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentCurrent_110" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentAgingAbstract_110" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentPastDue_110" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_TotalFinanceReceivablesWithDelinquencyStatus" xlink:label="loc_cpssTotalFinanceReceivablesWithDelinquencyStatus_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivableRecordedInvestmentAgingAbstract_110" xlink:to="loc_cpssTotalFinanceReceivablesWithDelinquencyStatus_110" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivablesDetails-AmortizedCostBasis" xlink:title="00000037 - Disclosure - 2. Finance Receivables (Details - Amortized Cost Basis)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_VintagePool2012Member" xlink:label="loc_cpssVintagePool2012Member_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssVintagePool2012Member_20" xlink:type="arc" order="21" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_VintagePool2013Member" xlink:label="loc_cpssVintagePool2013Member_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssVintagePool2013Member_40" xlink:type="arc" order="41" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_VintagePool2014Member" xlink:label="loc_cpssVintagePool2014Member_60" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssVintagePool2014Member_60" xlink:type="arc" order="61" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_VintagePool2015Member" xlink:label="loc_cpssVintagePool2015Member_80" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssVintagePool2015Member_80" xlink:type="arc" order="81" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_VintagePool2016Member" xlink:label="loc_cpssVintagePool2016Member_100" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssVintagePool2016Member_100" xlink:type="arc" order="101" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_VintagePool2017Member" xlink:label="loc_cpssVintagePool2017Member_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablePortfolioSegmentDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssVintagePool2017Member_120" xlink:type="arc" order="121" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ServicingAssetAtAmortizedValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapServicingAssetAtAmortizedValue_150" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapServicingAssetAtAmortizedValue_150" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivablesDetails-SummaryOfActivity" xlink:title="00000038 - Disclosure - 2. Finance Receivables (Details - Summary of activity)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivablesDetails-RepossessedInventory" xlink:title="00000039 - Disclosure - 2. Finance Receivables (Details - Repossessed inventory)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FinanceReceivablesDetailsNarrative" xlink:title="00000040 - Disclosure - 2. Finance Receivables (Details Narrative)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SecuritizationTrustDebtDetails" xlink:title="00000041 - Disclosure - 3. Securitization Trust Debt (Details)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2014CMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2014CMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2014CMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2014DMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2014DMember_30" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2014DMember_30" xlink:type="arc" order="31" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2015AMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2015AMember_60" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2015AMember_60" xlink:type="arc" order="61" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2015BMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2015BMember_90" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2015BMember_90" xlink:type="arc" order="91" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2015CMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2015CMember_120" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2015CMember_120" xlink:type="arc" order="121" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2016AMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2016AMember_150" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2016AMember_150" xlink:type="arc" order="151" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2016BMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2016BMember_180" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2016BMember_180" xlink:type="arc" order="181" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2016CMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2016CMember_210" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2016CMember_210" xlink:type="arc" order="211" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2016DMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2016DMember_240" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2016DMember_240" xlink:type="arc" order="241" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2017AMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2017AMember_270" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2017AMember_270" xlink:type="arc" order="271" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2017BMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2017BMember_300" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2017BMember_300" xlink:type="arc" order="301" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2017CMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2017CMember_330" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2017CMember_330" xlink:type="arc" order="331" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2017DMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2017DMember_360" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2017DMember_360" xlink:type="arc" order="361" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2018AMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2018AMember_390" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2018AMember_390" xlink:type="arc" order="391" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2018BMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2018BMember_420" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2018BMember_420" xlink:type="arc" order="421" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2018CMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2018CMember_450" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2018CMember_450" xlink:type="arc" order="451" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2018DMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2018DMember_480" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2018DMember_480" xlink:type="arc" order="481" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2019AMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2019AMember_510" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2019AMember_510" xlink:type="arc" order="511" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2019BMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2019BMember_540" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2019BMember_540" xlink:type="arc" order="541" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2019CMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2019CMember_570" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2019CMember_570" xlink:type="arc" order="571" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2019DMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2019DMember_600" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2019DMember_600" xlink:type="arc" order="601" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CPS2020AMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCPS2020AMember_630" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCPS2020AMember_630" xlink:type="arc" order="631" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtDefaultLongtermDebtAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapDebtDefaultLongtermDebtAbstract_700" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapScheduleOfHeldToMaturitySecuritiesLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapDebtDefaultLongtermDebtAbstract_700" xlink:type="arc" order="0" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_FinalScheduledPaymentDate" xlink:label="loc_cpssFinalScheduledPaymentDate_700" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapDebtDefaultLongtermDebtAbstract_700" xlink:to="loc_cpssFinalScheduledPaymentDate_700" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedFinanceReceivablesPledgedAsCollateralAtFairValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedFinanceReceivablesPledgedAsCollateralAtFairValue_700" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapDebtDefaultLongtermDebtAbstract_700" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPledgedAssetsSeparatelyReportedFinanceReceivablesPledgedAsCollateralAtFairValue_700" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_SecuritizationTrustDebtInitialPrincipal" xlink:label="loc_cpssSecuritizationTrustDebtInitialPrincipal_700" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapDebtDefaultLongtermDebtAbstract_700" xlink:to="loc_cpssSecuritizationTrustDebtInitialPrincipal_700" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PrincipalAmountOutstandingOfLoansHeldInPortfolio" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPrincipalAmountOutstandingOfLoansHeldInPortfolio_700" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapDebtDefaultLongtermDebtAbstract_700" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPrincipalAmountOutstandingOfLoansHeldInPortfolio_700" xlink:type="arc" order="4" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtWeightedAverageInterestRate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_700" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapDebtDefaultLongtermDebtAbstract_700" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapDebtWeightedAverageInterestRate_700" xlink:type="arc" order="5" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/SecuritizationTrustDebtDetailsNarrative" xlink:title="00000042 - Disclosure - 3. Securitization Trust Debt (Details Narrative)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_TransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_SecuritizationTrustDebtMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssSecuritizationTrustDebtMember_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapTransfersAndServicingOfFinancialInstrumentsTypesOfFinancialInstrumentsDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssSecuritizationTrustDebtMember_10" xlink:type="arc" order="11" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_ExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearOne" xlink:label="loc_cpssExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearOne_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_cpssExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearOne_40" xlink:type="arc" order="0" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_ExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearTwo" xlink:label="loc_cpssExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearTwo_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_cpssExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearTwo_40" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_ExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearThree" xlink:label="loc_cpssExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearThree_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_cpssExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearThree_40" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_ExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearFour" xlink:label="loc_cpssExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearFour_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_cpssExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearFour_40" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_ExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearFive" xlink:label="loc_cpssExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearFive_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_cpssExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearFive_40" xlink:type="arc" order="4" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_ExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearSix" xlink:label="loc_cpssExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearSix_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_cpssExpectedFinanceReceivablePaymentsYearSix_40" xlink:type="arc" order="5" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredFinanceCostsGross" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapDeferredFinanceCostsGross_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapDeferredFinanceCostsGross_40" xlink:type="arc" order="6" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCash" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapRestrictedCash_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapRestrictedCash_40" xlink:type="arc" order="7" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/DebtDetails-DebtOutstanding" xlink:title="00000043 - Disclosure - 4. Debt (Details - Debt outstanding)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_WarehouseLinesOfCredit1Member" xlink:label="loc_cpssWarehouseLinesOfCredit1Member_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssWarehouseLinesOfCredit1Member_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_WarehouseLinesOfCredit2Member" xlink:label="loc_cpssWarehouseLinesOfCredit2Member_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssWarehouseLinesOfCredit2Member_20" xlink:type="arc" order="21" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_WarehouseLinesOfCredit3Member" xlink:label="loc_cpssWarehouseLinesOfCredit3Member_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssWarehouseLinesOfCredit3Member_40" xlink:type="arc" order="41" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_ResidualInterestFinancingMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssResidualInterestFinancingMember_60" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssResidualInterestFinancingMember_60" xlink:type="arc" order="61" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_SubordinatedRenewableNotesMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssSubordinatedRenewableNotesMember_80" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssSubordinatedRenewableNotesMember_80" xlink:type="arc" order="81" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_WarehouseAgreementBorrowings" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapWarehouseAgreementBorrowings_180" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapWarehouseAgreementBorrowings_180" xlink:type="arc" order="0" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_ResidualInterestFinancing" xlink:label="loc_cpssResidualInterestFinancing_180" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_cpssResidualInterestFinancing_180" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubordinatedDebt" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSubordinatedDebt_180" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSubordinatedDebt_180" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapDebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount_180" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapDebtLongtermAndShorttermCombinedAmount_180" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateDuringPeriod" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapDebtInstrumentInterestRateDuringPeriod_180" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapDebtInstrumentInterestRateDuringPeriod_180" xlink:type="arc" order="4" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapDebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis_180" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapDebtInstrumentDescriptionOfVariableRateBasis_180" xlink:type="arc" order="5" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDateDescription" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapDebtInstrumentMaturityDateDescription_180" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapDebtInstrumentMaturityDateDescription_180" xlink:type="arc" order="6" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapDebtInstrumentMaturityDate_180" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapDebtInstrumentMaturityDate_180" xlink:type="arc" order="7" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1_180" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLineOfCreditFacilityExpirationDate1_180" xlink:type="arc" order="8" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/DebtDetailsNarrative" xlink:title="00000044 - Disclosure - 4. Debt (Details Narrative)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionTypeDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionTypeDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionTypeDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionTypeDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_ResidualInterestFinancingsMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssResidualInterestFinancingsMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionTypeDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssResidualInterestFinancingsMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CreditFacilityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_WarehouseLinesOfCredit4Member" xlink:label="loc_cpssWarehouseLinesOfCredit4Member_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapCreditFacilityDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssWarehouseLinesOfCredit4Member_20" xlink:type="arc" order="21" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapDebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_50" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapDebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscountPremiumAndDebtIssuanceCostsNet_50" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/InterestIncomeAndInterestExpenseDetails-InterestIncome" xlink:title="00000045 - Disclosure - 5. Interest Income and Interest Expense (Details - Interest income)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/InterestIncomeAndInterestExpenseDetails-InterestExpense" xlink:title="00000046 - Disclosure - 5. Interest Income and Interest Expense (Details - Interest expense)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_SecuritizationTrustDebtMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssSecuritizationTrustDebtMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssSecuritizationTrustDebtMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_WarehouseLinesOfCreditMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssWarehouseLinesOfCreditMember_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssWarehouseLinesOfCreditMember_20" xlink:type="arc" order="21" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_ResidualInterestFinancingMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssResidualInterestFinancingMember_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssResidualInterestFinancingMember_40" xlink:type="arc" order="41" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_SubordinatedRenewableNotesMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssSubordinatedRenewableNotesMember_60" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapLongtermDebtTypeDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssSubordinatedRenewableNotesMember_60" xlink:type="arc" order="61" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_InterestExpense" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapInterestExpense_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapInterestExpense_110" xlink:type="arc" order="0" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/EarningsPerShareDetails-EarningsPerShare" xlink:title="00000047 - Disclosure - 6. Earnings Per Share (Details - Earnings Per Share)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/IncomeTaxesDetailsNarrative" xlink:title="00000048 - Disclosure - 7. Income Taxes (Details Narrative)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DomesticCountryMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapDomesticCountryMember_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapDomesticCountryMember_20" xlink:type="arc" order="21" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StateAndLocalJurisdictionMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStateAndLocalJurisdictionMember_30" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxAuthorityDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStateAndLocalJurisdictionMember_30" xlink:type="arc" order="31" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleNatureOfUncertaintyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleNatureOfUncertaintyDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleNatureOfUncertaintyDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleNatureOfUncertaintyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleNatureOfUncertaintyDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapReasonablyPossibleSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsByItemAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSignificantChangeInUnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIsReasonablyPossibleNatureOfUncertaintyDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsNet" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapDeferredTaxAssetsNet_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapDeferredTaxAssetsNet_70" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapUnrecognizedTaxBenefits_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapUnrecognizedTaxBenefits_70" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapIncomeTaxExpenseBenefit_70" xlink:type="arc" order="4" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapEffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_70" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapEffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations_70" xlink:type="arc" order="5" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails-ReconciliationOfFinanceReceivables" xlink:title="00000049 - Disclosure - 9. Fair Value Measurements (Details - Reconciliation of Finance Receivables)" />
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails-FinanceReceivablesToTheirContractualBalances" xlink:title="00000050 - Disclosure - 9. Fair Value Measurements (Details - Finance Receivables to Their Contractual Balances)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionTypeDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionTypeDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuritiesFinancingTransactionTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionTypeDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionTypeDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_ContractualBalanceMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssContractualBalanceMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapSecuritiesFinancingTransactionTypeDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssContractualBalanceMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueByBalanceSheetGroupingTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_10" xlink:type="arc" order="11" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivablesFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapReceivablesFairValueDisclosure_50" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapReceivablesFairValueDisclosure_50" xlink:type="arc" order="0" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails-Level3FairValueMeasurements" xlink:title="00000051 - Disclosure - 9. Fair Value Measurements (Details - Level 3 Fair Value Measurements)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueByMeasurementBasisAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_PortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapPortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueDisclosureItemAmountsDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapPortionAtFairValueFairValueDisclosureMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueInputsLevel3Member_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueInputsLevel3Member_0" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapMeasurementInputTypeAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapMeasurementInputTypeAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapMeasurementInputTypeDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapMeasurementInputTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapMeasurementInputTypeDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputTypeDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapMeasurementInputTypeDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapMeasurementInputTypeAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapMeasurementInputTypeDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_MeasurementInputDiscountRateMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapMeasurementInputDiscountRateMember_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapMeasurementInputTypeDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapMeasurementInputDiscountRateMember_20" xlink:type="arc" order="23" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_MeasurementInputCumulativeNetLosseseMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssMeasurementInputCumulativeNetLosseseMember_40" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapMeasurementInputTypeDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssMeasurementInputCumulativeNetLosseseMember_40" xlink:type="arc" order="43" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeAxis" xlink:label="loc_srtRangeAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_srtRangeAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="4" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_srtRangeMember" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_srtRangeAxis" xlink:to="loc_srtRangeMember" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_RangeMember" xlink:label="loc_srtRangeMember_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_srtRangeAxis" xlink:to="loc_srtRangeMember_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MinimumMember" xlink:label="loc_srtMinimumMember_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srtRangeMember" xlink:to="loc_srtMinimumMember_20" xlink:type="arc" order="24" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2020/elts/srt-2020-01-31.xsd#srt_MaximumMember" xlink:label="loc_srtMaximumMember_30" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_srtRangeMember" xlink:to="loc_srtMaximumMember_30" xlink:type="arc" order="34" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_ReceivablesFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapReceivablesFairValueDisclosure_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapReceivablesFairValueDisclosure_110" xlink:type="arc" order="0" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_FairValueUnobservableInputsPercentage" xlink:label="loc_cpssFairValueUnobservableInputsPercentage_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_cpssFairValueUnobservableInputsPercentage_110" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails-DelinquencyStatus" xlink:title="00000052 - Disclosure - 9. Fair Value Measurements (Details - Delinquency status)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_StatementTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivables30To59DaysPastDueMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivables30To59DaysPastDueMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivables30To59DaysPastDueMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivables60To89DaysPastDueMember_10" xlink:type="arc" order="11" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesEqualToGreaterThan90DaysPastDueMember_20" xlink:type="arc" order="21" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_RepossessedVehiclesMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssRepossessedVehiclesMember_30" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancingReceivablesPeriodPastDueDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssRepossessedVehiclesMember_30" xlink:type="arc" order="31" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_FinanceReceivablesMeasuredAtFairValueCurrent" xlink:label="loc_cpssFinanceReceivablesMeasuredAtFairValueCurrent_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_cpssFinanceReceivablesMeasuredAtFairValueCurrent_110" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_FinanceReceivablesMeasuredAtFairValue" xlink:label="loc_cpssFinanceReceivablesMeasuredAtFairValue_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapStatementLineItems" xlink:to="loc_cpssFinanceReceivablesMeasuredAtFairValue_110" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
    </link:definitionLink>
    <link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://consumerportfolio.com/role/FairValueMeasurementsDetails-FairValues" xlink:title="00000053 - Disclosure - 9. Fair Value Measurements (Details - Fair values)">
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/all" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" xlink:type="arc" order="10" xbrldt:closed="true" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueByAssetClassAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueByAssetClassAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueByAssetClassAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueByAssetClassAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_CarryingValueMember" xlink:label="loc_cpssCarryingValueMember_0" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueAssetsMeasuredOnRecurringBasisUnobservableInputReconciliationByAssetClassDomain" xlink:to="loc_cpssCarryingValueMember_0" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/hypercube-dimension" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueAssetsAndLiabilitiesMeasuredOnRecurringAndNonrecurringBasisTable" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-domain" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:type="arc" order="20" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/dimension-default" xbrldt:contextElement="segment" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueByFairValueHierarchyLevelAxis" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain_10" xlink:type="arc" order="30" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel1Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueInputsLevel1Member_10" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueInputsLevel1Member_10" xlink:type="arc" order="11" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel2Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueInputsLevel2Member_20" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueInputsLevel2Member_20" xlink:type="arc" order="21" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FairValueInputsLevel3Member" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFairValueInputsLevel3Member_30" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueMeasurementsFairValueHierarchyDomain" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFairValueInputsLevel3Member_30" xlink:type="arc" order="31" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_110" xlink:type="arc" order="0" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_110" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue_110" xlink:type="arc" order="1" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapRestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_110" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapRestrictedCashAndCashEquivalents_110" xlink:type="arc" order="2" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="cpss-20200331.xsd#cpss_FinanceReceivablesFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="loc_cpssFinanceReceivablesFairValueDisclosure_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_110" xlink:to="loc_cpssFinanceReceivablesFairValueDisclosure_110" xlink:type="arc" order="3" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentsFinancialAssetsBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_110" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAccruedInvestmentIncomeReceivable_110" xlink:type="arc" order="4" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_FinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFairValueBalanceSheetGroupingFinancialStatementCaptionsLineItems" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_110" xlink:type="arc" order="5" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_LinesOfCreditCurrent" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapLinesOfCreditCurrent_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_110" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapLinesOfCreditCurrent_110" xlink:type="arc" order="6" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_AccountsPayableFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapAccountsPayableFairValueDisclosure_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_110" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapAccountsPayableFairValueDisclosure_110" xlink:type="arc" order="7" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_OtherLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapOtherLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_110" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapOtherLiabilitiesFairValueDisclosure_110" xlink:type="arc" order="8" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SecuredDebt" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSecuredDebt_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_110" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSecuredDebt_110" xlink:type="arc" order="9" />
      <link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="http://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2020/elts/us-gaap-2020-01-31.xsd#us-gaap_SubordinatedDebt" xlink:label="loc_us-gaapSubordinatedDebt_110" />
      <link:definitionArc xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="loc_us-gaapFinancialInstrumentsFinancialLiabilitiesBalanceSheetGroupingsAbstract_110" xlink:to="loc_us-gaapSubordinatedDebt_110" xlink:type="arc" order="10" />
    </link:definitionLink>
</link:linkbase>
