Cover - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2022	Apr. 29, 2022
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2022
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2022
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity File Number	1-11416
Entity Registrant Name	CONSUMER PORTFOLIO SERVICES, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000889609
Entity Tax Identification Number	33-0459135
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	CA
Entity Address, Address Line One	3800 Howard Hughes Parkway
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 1400
Entity Address, City or Town	Las Vegas
Entity Address, State or Province	NV
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	89169
City Area Code	(949)
Local Phone Number	753-6800
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, no par value
Trading Symbol	CPSS
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		21,065,973