TSB (Technical Service Bulletins) VS Recalls

 Do you know the difference between a TSB and a recall? 

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A TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) is a document sent out by the car manufacturer to the dealers and sometimes the owners of the vehicle. They detail any issues the vehicle may encounter after it has been released. They can be related to anything from a safety issue to a faulty door handle. Some cars have more than others. While the bulletins can outline some safety issues, generally recalls are used for serious safety hazards.

Dealers: They help the dealers or repair shops out by explaining the problem, the repair and/or parts needed. They can also let them know about any changes to maintenance changes or procedures.

Customers: For customers, this can save you money down the road. Say your vehicle needed new tires prematurely. Then you see a TSB about abnormal tire repair, allowing an extended warranty for the specified problem, you could then send in your receipt for repairs and potentially be reimbursed. However, the repair is not always covered by the dealers.

The TSB can be a very valuable tool when preparing to purchase a car. They can kind of alert you to potential problems and expenses down the road. It could possibly help negotiate the price or request the problem be fixed before purchasing the car.


Some manufacturers will send the vehicle owner, directly, the TSB outlining what is wrong and how the dealers will help you fix it. For example, 2006-2009 Honda Civics were issued a TSB about the engine block overheating and making the car un-driveable. While this does seem like a serious safety issue, Honda sent the TSB and replaced any engine blocks that had the issue free of charge. But not every car has the same problems. However, if the issue were to get out of hand and cause serious health problems or death in vehicle owners, the vehicle will probably be recalled. Take the 2003-2007 GM vehicles (a few different models), the vehicles were randomly and suddenly shutting off due to a faulty ignition switch. This caused several fatalities and was turned from a TSB to a recall.



While some manufacturers are nice enough to send the TSB to your house (file them away for future use if not needed now), others are not. There are a few ways to go about getting a TSB on your vehicle though: 

• Repair shops or dealers have access
• Websites and car forums online
• Independent companies will sell them
• The NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Admin) has them for free by mail

They are a bit easier to get now, with the internet having almost immediate access to almost any information. If any are sent to your house or you see them online, file them away or bookmark them for possible future use. And of course, save any receipts for work done or parts purchased. Not only will this help you get reimbursed later on, if needed,  but it will also come in handy if you plan to sell your car.

  

 

Recalls are just like TSBs, but are concerned with more dangerous safety issues. Just like some TSBs, the recalls are sent, first to the dealers and second to the vehicle owner. You can always check online for recalls on your vehicle. If you find that your car is recalled, take it to or call the dealer as soon as possible. Also, if you find that you think something should be recalled on the car and are experiencing serious car troubles, you can always take it to the dealer/shop. Save all your receipts for repairs for TSB and recalls. You could be reimbursed down the road.

 

The manufacturers are required to pay for any work done for a recall. Sometimes they even put out a recall before they are forced to. The NHTSA will gather information and reports about all vehicles and if there is enough of the same problem, they will go public and force a recall if one has not been made already. So, it can't hurt to make a claim or report serious issues. It could help save lives down the road.

Recalls are very serious, as the vehicle is being recalled because you could be put in serious danger or be killed while in the car.