Tag Archives: TSB’s

Does Your Vehicle Have TSBs Issued Against It?

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Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) are recommended repair procedures issued by a manufacturer alerting dealers to potential non-safety related defects affecting a vehicle’s performance or life. They help repair technicians diagnose and repair a problem, specifying tools, techniques, and required parts. They can also alert dealers to issues, such as changes in tire pressure or lubricants, repair procedures, and maintenance requirements. TSBs are not recalls and do not entitle customers to free repairs, but some bulletins indicate when the manufacturer is extending warranty coverage for a specific problem. Knowing about TSBs issued for your vehicle can help you save money by alerting you of problems with a car you own or plan to buy. In some cases, they also can expose an early hint of a potential safety problem or the risk of an expensive future problem. Depending on the issue, some bulletins may be difficult to understand for anyone unfamiliar with car repair.

In the above video, Channel 2 consumer adviser Clark Howard warns that not every notice is legitimate and should be looked into thoroughly.

Should GM Expand Its Ignition Switch Recall?

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A recall of certain 2005-2007 Chevrolet Cobalt and 2007 Pontiac G5 vehicles has raised safety concerns on whether General Motors should have included four more models. In October 2006, GM sent dealers a technical service bulletin (TSB) warning about an ignition problem that could prevent the airbags from deploying. (NHTSA Technical Service Bulletin Number: 050235007) Continue reading →

Automobile TSBs Can Save You Money

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Most consumers know that automobile manufacturers are required to issue recalls on vehicles with 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 to make sure the problem has been repaired.

Many consumers don’t realize, however, that automobile manufactures also release Technical Service Bulletins (TSB’s). TSB’s are issued after several complaints of unanticipated vehicle problems are received. The manufacturer is not required to issue a recall, do the repairs, or even notify consumers of the problem. 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.

Honda Civic Hybrid Experiences Gas Leak

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Honda has announced that they will be offering extended warranty on some 2006-2011 Honda Civic Hybrid vehicles, due to small cracks that could develop in the gas tanks. According to Honda, the cracks are not a safety problem because the potential fuel leak is very small, and comes from the top area of the tank, by the fuel filler, where there is no ignition source nearby. The driver may smell gas vapors and in rare instances may see a small amount of fuel spilled on the ground. The problem is more likely to occur in states known for very hot weather.

In order to promote consumer confidence, the automaker sent a letter to owners informing them of the extended warranty of 10 years or 120,000 miles from the time the vehicle was new. Honda has also reported the problem to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), where it is being reviewed.

GM Pays Half Of Fuel Gauge Repairs

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has closed an investigation into faulty fuel gauges in some 2005-2007 GMC, Chevrolet, and Buick sport utility vehicles, after GM agreed to pay 50% of the repair fees. The investigation was started earlier this year after the NHTSA received 668 complaints of inaccurate fuel gauge readings. The repairs could affect up to 865,000 vehicles in the United States. According to the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) filed with the NHTSA, the vehicles involved include:

  • 2005-2007 Buick Rainier
  • 2005-2006 Chevrolet SSR
  • 2005-2007 Chevrolet Trailblazer
  • 2006 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT
  • 2005 Chevrolet Trailblazer EXT 370
  • 2005-2007 GMC Envoy
  • 2006 GMC Envoy XL
  • 2005 GMC Envoy XL 370
  • 2005 GMC Envoy XUV

TSB Copyrights Hurt The Consumer

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A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) is a bulletin issued by an automobile manufacturer to an auto dealer notifying 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 sell 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.

calemonlaw.com – Check vehicles recall and technical service bulletin history, quickly, and completely free!

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California Lemon Lawwww.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 *calemonlaw.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!

Recent TSB’s Help Consumers Care For Their Vehicles

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T.S.B’s (Technical Service Bulletins) are not recalls. They let automakers and consumers know about recurring problems experienced with various automobile models. Manufacturers do not offer payment assistance for these repairs beyond normal warranty coverage. Below is a list of some recent T.S.B’s

T.S.B. SB0151-09 issued on Oct. 14
2006-9 Lexus IS 250 and IS 350 models may have a clicking noise from the rear, which requires the rear coil spring assembly to be replaced.

T.S.B. WVL-22 issued on Oct. 13
2005-8 Subaru Foresters and 2005-7 Imprezas may experience a momentary lack of fuel during cornering when the gas tank is below 1.5 gallons. The fuel pump could momentarily draw air, causing the engine to misfire resulting in damage to the catalytic converter. Removal of the one-way valve situated at the base of a small sub chamber in the tank should remedy the problem.

T.S.B. J06 issued on Oct. 12
2009 Dodge Ram 1500s’ a leaky windshield washer fluid reservoir sensor has the potential to leak fluid through to the wiring harness to the temperature sensor. This could damage the temperature sensor, preventing the fluid-level warning lamp from lighting. Replacing both sensors and the harness will stop the leak.

T.S.B. 09-19-15 issued on Oct. 5
2006-10 Focus and Escape models may have defective ignition locks that fail to turn to the start position. The problem is blamed on a bad steering column lock module which causes the keys to bind, but can be repaired by replacing the module.

T.S.B. 09-19-14 issued on Oct. 5
2010 Ford Transit Connects may have a brake knock in the rear. Ford dealers have been instructed to engage the parking brake three notches, and drive forward and then reverse for about 800 feet. If this “voodoo” doesn’t work, you can try swapping or replacing the left and right rear drums.

T.S.B. 09-18-2 issued on Sept. 21
2008-10 Ford Focus models may have problems with the front stabilizer bar, the upper front strut bearing or the lower control arm that may cause popping or clicking noises on turns or bumps. Replacing the affected parts, or tightening them to the factory-specified torque setting, should solve this problem.

T.S.B. SB0342-09 issued on Sept. 21
2006-9 Toyota 4Runners during stop and go driving or heavy acceleration, a smell of sulfur may be noticed. The replacement of the converter will eliminate the smell.

T.S.B. SB0338-09 issued on Sept. 16
2007-10 Toyota Tundras may emit a grinding noise from the front end when in 4 wheel drive. A new differential support should remedy the problem.

T.S.B. 09-023A issued on Sept. 10
2003-5 Q45s and 2004 M45s could have an electrical malfunction that deactivates one or both front side air bags and turn on the warning light. The system should be inspected, and if need be, repaired by adding a coating of epoxy to the wiring connectors and rerouting them slightly.

T.S.B. 0600309 issued on Sept. 4
2008-9 Mazda Tribute crossovers may have a popping or clunking sound from the steering column when turning. Replacing the steering shaft and the coupling joint will remedy the noise.

T.S.B. 0904509 issued on Aug. 17
2007-10 Mazda CX-7 may have a rattling sound from the bumper at highway speeds. Adding washers and new fasteners between the bumper cover and the body will quiet the noise.

T.S.B. 09-02-35-005 issued on Aug. 10
In some 2008-9 Cadillac CTS; 2005-9 Chevrolet Cobalt; 2006-9 Chevrolet HHR,2006-9 Pontiac Solstice; 2007-9 Chevy Equinox and 2007-9 Pontiac G5’s the key is difficult to remove from the ignition. Replacing the ignition lock cylinder will fix the problem.