-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 GquaPOwaQHWagW1GN9Xys1P6sWp0gi/wgbtgZQSoBsjzFj3iutkR04vCqwwiRuP+
 YNrYHGHCbJVKMFQ3E6f1Lg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001034603-03-000108.txt : 20031121
<SEC-HEADER>0001034603-03-000108.hdr.sgml : 20031121
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031121170143
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001034603-03-000108
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031119
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031121

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VASSALLUZZO SCOTT J
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001203547

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-20202
		FILM NUMBER:		031018773

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/OCURTIS MALLET PRESVOST COLT & MOSLE
		STREET 2:		101 PARK AVE
		CITY:			NEW YORK
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			10178

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000885550
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PERSONAL CREDIT INSTITUTIONS [6141]
		IRS NUMBER:				381999511
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MI
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		25505 W TWELVE MILE RD
		STREET 2:		STE 3000
		CITY:			SOUTHFIELD
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48034-8334
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8103532700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		25505 WEST TWELVE MILE ROAD
		STREET 2:		SUITE 3000
		CITY:			SOUTHFIELD
		STATE:			MI
		ZIP:			48034-8334
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>

<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2003-11-19</periodOfReport>


    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000885550</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CREDIT ACCEPTANCE CORPORATION</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CACC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001203547</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>VASSALLUZZO SCOTT J</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>323 RAILROAD AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENWICH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06830</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <otherText>Member of Section 13(d) Group</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>

        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2003-11-19</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>350</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>10.14</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>9850</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>

    </nonDerivativeTable>



    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Scott J. Vassalluzzo</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2003-11-21</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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