Why is your name on a car title as being the owner of the car if you only cosigned for it?

Your name is on the title of a car just even if you just co-signed for it because that is what co-signing means: you are the co-signer on the loan. The first person signs the loan, which means that he or she is the owner. If they had signed it by themselves, they would be sole owner. A co-signer is like a "co" anything; co-meaning together. Cohabitate, Cooperate...etc. Generally cosigners do not have a vested interest in the secured property and therefore they are not placed on the title. A cosigner makes a binding legal agreement that they are responsible for repayment of the loan if the primary borrower defaults. The cosigner does not have legal rights to the property including a vehicle. Unless the primary borrower requested the cosigner be placed on the title it is an error and should be corrected as soon as possible to prevent future problems with receiving a clear title once the loan is paid.