Technical Service Bulletin

[Alessandro]

If there is a TSB on a certain defect in a car, is the dealer required to fix it for free? If it is not under warranty, it is not a free repair, correct?

 

[DeviousTrap]

Generally, no. A TSB is a description of how to fix a (usually significant) known issue. They're issued to "warm" service departments about something that may break and may need repair more often than would be usually expected.

The only thing that a dealer is required to fix after the warranty has expired would be a (safety) recall. That recall will have a TSB attached to it showing the procedure that needs to be performed, but not all TSBs are related to recalls.

 

[Pacfanweb]

^ good.

A TSB is helpful info for the mechanics to use when they are repairing cars. Nothing more. If the car is under warranty, and you bring it in for a concern that is covered by a TSB, the repair will likely be free, just like any other warranty repair.

If it's not under warranty, then it's not free. They warranty the car for however long they warranty the car. The TSB merely tells them what to fix, if you see a car with the concern the TSB covers. Sometimes, TSB's are released long after warranties are expired, as the vehicles age and the manufacturer sees a need for a redesign of a part.

 

[NoCreativity]

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
^ good.

A TSB is helpful info for the mechanics to use when they are repairing cars. Nothing more. If the car is under warranty, and you bring it in for a concern that is covered by a TSB, the repair will likely be free, just like any other warranty repair.

If it's not under warranty, then it's not free. They warranty the car for however long they warranty the car. The TSB merely tells them what to fix, if you see a car with the concern the TSB covers. Sometimes, TSB's are released long after warranties are expired, as the vehicles age and the manufacturer sees a need for a redesign of a part.

Not necessarily. They are not obligated nor would I expect it to be free, but the dealer/manufacturer may replace it for free. Just had this with my wife's G6 last week. About 6 months out of warranty but they still replaced the intermediate shaft in the steering for free. I had taken it in twice before with the same issue and there was a TSB on it but it wasn't for a new part, basically just greasing the existing part.

 

[thomsbrain]

Generally the TSB contains information regarding warranty versus out-of-warranty. Sometimes TSB-related problems are "eligible for goodwill consideration" out of warranty, but no guarantees.

 

[Alessandro]

TY everyone!

 

[Pacfanweb]

Originally posted by: NoCreativity

Originally posted by: Pacfanweb
^ good.

A TSB is helpful info for the mechanics to use when they are repairing cars. Nothing more. If the car is under warranty, and you bring it in for a concern that is covered by a TSB, the repair will likely be free, just like any other warranty repair.

If it's not under warranty, then it's not free. They warranty the car for however long they warranty the car. The TSB merely tells them what to fix, if you see a car with the concern the TSB covers. Sometimes, TSB's are released long after warranties are expired, as the vehicles age and the manufacturer sees a need for a redesign of a part.

Not necessarily. They are not obligated nor would I expect it to be free, but the dealer/manufacturer may replace it for free. Just had this with my wife's G6 last week. About 6 months out of warranty but they still replaced the intermediate shaft in the steering for free. I had taken it in twice before with the same issue and there was a TSB on it but it wasn't for a new part, basically just greasing the existing part.

The TSB didn't pay for it, though. All manufacturers have what Ford calls AWA, which is, After Warranty Adjustment capability.

Ford's used to be for 5/50 for original owners. I had, as a service advisor back then, authority to AWA up to 500 bucks without calling for approval. It was for original owners only.
I used it for people who had common problems but didn't have them until their warranty had expired.
To go higher than 500 or do an AWA past 5/50 or a non-original owner required contact with our district rep.

I'm sure all dealers have a similar process, in some form.

But this has nothing to do with a TSB. It could be that a TSB is taken care of with an AWA, for sure, though. And the fact that there is a TSB for the same thing a customer brought their car in for might trigger and AWA.