Almost all automobile consumers know that manufacturers are required to issue recalls on vehicles that have problems that affect the safety, value and use of the models they manufacture. We have blogged about rental companies and consumers failing to repair recalls, and have encouraged everyone to check our recall list and make sure recalls have been repaired. Many consumers don’t realize, however, that automobile manufactures also issue Technical Service Bulletins (TSB’s). TSB’s are issued after several complaints of unanticipated problems are received, but the manufacturer is not required to do the repairs. The manufacturer is not obligated to notify consumers of the problems and are not required to pay for the repairs or to do them at a reduced fee to the owner. It is important for drivers to know if a TSB exists on their vehicle because the information on the reports can save technicians troubleshooting time, provide organized, itemized repair procedures, and standardize the repair process. This can enhance the quality of the maintenance and can save the vehicle owner money by allowing the technician to repair the problem quickly. If you are experiencing problems with your vehicle and are taking it in to have repairs done, it is in your best interest to research TSB’s related to your problem. If you find one that could be related, let the service manager know that it exists and make sure it is noted on the repair order.
Archive for the ‘TSB's’ Category
Automobile TSBs Can Save You Money
Monday, September 10th, 2012TSB Copyrights Hurt The Consumer
Sunday, April 3rd, 2011A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) is a bulletin issued by an automobile manufacturer to an auto dealer notify them about warranty extensions and fixes for known repeated problems. Because it is not a recall, the dealer is under no obligation to make the repair or to even notify customers of the problem. The publication of these TSB’s gives information that could save consumers large amounts of money on repairs, but still the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has declined to post these reports on their web site. The reason: The NHTSA has been warned that the TSB’s are copyrighted.
According to NHTSA spokeswoman, Karen Aldana, “Many manufacturers say that technical service bulletin information is copyrighted, and therefore the NHTSA has a legal obligation to leave them “off” their site.” These manufacturers believe that the bulletins should not be published because they show how to make repairs that “should not be performed by do-it-yourselfers. These bulletins, however, can be obtained through commercial services which sells the information to repair shops as well as individuals.
But not all automakers copyright their bulletins. Automakers like BMW, Chrysler, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Subaru and Volvo all say they would not object to publication by the agency. Some say that failing to do so could be seen as the agency being more concerned about catering to the auto industry instead of helping consumers.
Kia Inspects Accelerator Pedals On Optima
Wednesday, December 8th, 2010Kia has issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) to dealers asking them to inspect accelerator pedals on any 2011 Optimas made between October 16 and November 24. The automaker reported a potential problem with the spring design which may lead to noisy, sticky or unresponsive acceleration.
The Kia Optima was designed to compete against mid size sedans such as the Camry and Accord, and though it has done poor in the past, the totally redesigned 2011 model the Optima is starting to live up to it’s name. With it’s new look, increased performance and safety, and outstanding fuel economy Kia continues to build it’s brand in the U.S.
Toyota To Fix Coolant Pumps In Prius
Tuesday, November 30th, 2010
Toyota has announced that it will repair almost 380,000 2004-2007 Prius models in the United States for coolant pump problems. There have been no reports of injuries or accidents related to the problem, but complaints of power loss has lead the company to fix the minor repair without issuing a recall. A Toyota spokesperson explained that air bubbles entering the system through the pump reduces the efficiency of the cooling system. When the pump malfunctions, the car’s hybrid system switches off to prevent overheating and the vehicle’s regular gasoline engine takes over. Overheating of the vehicle could activate a warning light on the dashboard, and a significant loss of power will be noticed. Toyota said it would begin notifying owners of the Prius repair campaign in the United States in early December.
Tata Motors To Repair Nanos For Fire Hazard
Wednesday, November 10th, 2010
While Tata Motors insists that it is not a recall, they are asking owners of the world’s cheapest car, the Nano, to bring in their vehicles for a free upgrade in safety equipment. The upgrade is in response to reports of mysterious circumstances which led to six cars catching fire since the car was first introduced last year. Tata Motors Group CEO and managing director Carl-Peter Forster said, “The Nano car is a very reliable and safe vehicle. The company has undertaken a second check and found that the vehicle has a safe design. After a thorough investigation by a team of internal and international experts, it was found that the fire hazard problem was specific to the cars which had the incidents.”
The company has taken up several corrective measures. They will now offer a cover on the catalytic converter to prevent the car from catching fire, as well an add a fuse in the electrical system to prevent short circuits. For any Nano cars produced before January 2010, they will also be replacing the starter motor. The company will contact owners of the Nano and perform the upgrades free of charge.
Improving Safety On The Road
Monday, September 27th, 2010The death toll on U.S. highways for 2009 has been the lowest in 50 years, according to a federal Department of Transportation report earlier this month. We might think that we have become better drivers, but there are many factors that have contributed to this decline.
- Safety features on cars have significantly improved in recent years. Technology like multiple airbags, electronic stability control, automatic tightening seat belts….once found only on expensive cars are now becoming standard, even on economy cars. Historically it is the luxury vehicle consumers who pay for this technology. Luxury car manufacturers develop the technology making it cheaper for other manufacturers to obtain.
- Competition between manufacturers means better deals. Once one car manufacturer starts offering a certain safety feature, it isn’t long before the competition offers it as well. Each manufacturer wants to sell the most cars, so the competition will keep prices low while offering the most. Most recently, car manufacturers are competing to develop infotainment systems, like Ford’s “Sync” and Kia’s “UVO”, to prevent drivers from becoming distracted while driving.
- Online shopping makes it easy for the consumer to see what every car manufacturer has to offer. They can research crash test results to see which automobile is the safest. Recalls and technical service bulletins are much easier to obtain, making it easy for the consumer to get safety issues repaired before they cause problems.
- Finally, pressure from government regulators have also played a big role in the safety of our vehicles. Ever since seat belt laws were made mandatory, the government has set standards to improve safety. As the technology becomes more affordable, government standards become higher. For example, in 2006, the government proposed a rule to require stability control as standard equipment in all 2012 model cars.
It’s good to know that auto manufacturers have our well being in mind, but we must remember that they are not a replacement for safe driving practices. While new technologies may cut out human error factors, they are prone to their own glitches as well.
It’s Important To Get Your Recalls Done
Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), we are not very good at following up on recalls. Recall completion rates are about 30% for child seats, less than 50% for tires and more than 70% for vehicles. What about all the recalls that were not done? Is the product no longer used, has it been sold and the recall hasn’t made it to the new owner, or is it just the neglect of the consumer?
It is in your best interest for the safety of yourself and those around you to seek out any recall information for the products you own, especialy if safety could be a concern. Get your RECALLS and TSB’S at the click of a button with the California Lemon Law Specialist.
lemonlawspecialists.com – Check vehicles recall and technical service bulletin history, quickly, and completely free!
Thursday, December 3rd, 2009
www.Lemonlawspecialists.com announces its new web based service to help California residents who purchased vehicles that turned out to be ‘lemons’.
People with these defective cars, trucks, motorcycles,RV’s, and motor homes are protected by the California lemon laws. These laws provide remedies if a consumer has repeated, substantial problems relating to the safety, value, or use of her or his vehicle.
Finding these recalls and technical service bulletins can be difficult. At *lemonlawspecialists.com* we bring all this information and so much more, to you! We have a complete list from every auto manufacturer, updated daily, and 100% free. You can get all the recalls and bulletins for your specific car, truck, motorcycle, RV, or motor home at the click of your mouse.
The ‘Vehicle Recalls’ section is an exhaustive list of over 80,000 recalls from every vehicle manufacturer doing business in the US. The most popular manufacturers are separated into a convenient top box so navigating to the correct vehicle make, model, and year is easy and intuitive.
The Technical Service Bulletins (or TSB) section is just as easy to use. Once you have found your vehicle’s make, model, and year, you are only a click away from finding all the Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins relevant to you.
This searchable, sortable, up to date, and complete recall database allows you to subscribe to the latest Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins. Add the feed to your email, blog, Yahoo, or Google home page, and even to your computer desktop!
If you think you have a ‘lemon’, stop throwing your money away on costly repeat auto repairs. Contact The California Lemon Law Specialists, to arrange a free consultation and get rid of your CA lemon today!
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