There's always a lien on a financed car, until you pay it off (unless you managed an unsecured loan, but if he borrowed from a bank like WF, he didn't) or until the statute of limitations has passed.
If you're in default (there may be a cure period for non-payment and default would start after that expires; there are also typically requirements to provide a borrower with a notice of default and potentially allow them to catch up/do an alternative payment plan ), then depending on a bank's internal policies, they may move it to chargeoff status (a chargeoff is typically reported to credit agencies and if so, remains for 7 years), but until it's paid or the SOL expires, they (or a collection agency if the lender sells bad debts to them) still have their remedies (to sue you or repo the car).
In Virginia the SOL on an auto loan is 4 years. SOL generally starts on the date of the last payment.
No doubt Ethan is counting the days.