What Is A Recall Or Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)?

Cars tend to break down over time. Components get old and worn out, and things can quickly turn sour without yearly maintenance. 

However, on a rare occasion, something unexpected may happen. Like with Lincoln Aviators, your car battery wiring could be messed up, which would cause an unexpected fire and require you to buy a new vehicle. That would be a manufacturer issue. 

So, do manufacturers accept responsibility in this case? Yes, they do! They recall such vehicles and fill out documents called Technical Service Bulletins for other lesser issues, and this article will cover exactly that.

What Is A Recall?

Whenever manufacturers notice a pattern in the issues that a singular car model has, they start to investigate. If the results confirm that the problem in question is not only real but causes safety concerns for the driver, they spring into action. 

A recall begins with a notice sent by the automakers to the owner. In this text message, they inform owners that their vehicle may have a defect that compromises its safety. Owners are advised to bring their car to the nearest service department, where all the necessary repairs will be performed free of charge. 

Recalls are far and few between, and a car owner can go through the process once or twice in their lifetime. 

What Is A Technical Service Bulletin?

The Technical Service Bulletin or TSB has nothing to do with a recall. The document simply outlines a set of recommended repair procedures for non-dangerous or non-life-threatening issues.

Manufacturers must create TSBs even for minor problems and recommend repairs. For instance, the 2019 Nissan Rogue had airflow constriction from the vents caused by snow build-up around the blower motor. That’s the sort of issue that the TSB covers. 

Unlike recalls, manufacturers never cover TSB-related problems out of pocket unless there is a warranty. When it expires, this burden lies solely on the owner. The most concerning part: they are not even required to notify you in those cases.

Are TSBs Important For Buyers?

Identifying current or historical TSBs can help owners make better purchasing decisions and avoid problematic models. They can also indicate ongoing defects. Manufacturers may attribute the issue to a component or car electronics and state that it is a minor issue. However, it can be a sign of what is to come. 

Even minor issues can lead to more complex mechanical failures and cause you to spend thousands of dollars on repairs. These bulletins help you understand these issues and gather complete information on the vehicle before proceeding with the deal. But how can you get your hand on them?

Acquiring Technical Service Bulletins

TSBs are not very consumer-friendly. They just include a list of statements that name parts, part numbers, and tools required for going through with the procedure. However, summaries of these documents are with the NHTSA or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and tend to be more friendly in terms of text simplicity. 

Alternatively, you could use CarComplaints.com and look there, but the site does not capture all the TSBs for all models. So, use NHTSA most of the time as manufacturers must inform them of new technical service bulletins as they arise. 

Summary

While recalls occur on rare occasions and customers are always informed, TSB issues go relatively unnoticed but may cause severe damage to your vehicle in the long run. The latter may even require you to pay for repairs out of pocket!

With car prices rising, you should stay informed and think twice before making any car purchase decision. But whenever you want to close the deal on a used vehicle, read into the history first and see if there are any red flags. If the car is straight from the factory, try Googling the brand and check its reliability rating. 

These queries will eventually lead you to TSBs and information about recalls. Be sure to read them thoroughly and only then proceed to make the final decision. 

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