A TSB, or Technical Service Bulletin, is a notice from a car manufacturer to its dealerships that describes recommended repairs or procedures for known, recurring problems on specific vehicle models. It's not a recall. A recall addresses safety or emissions defects, while a TSB fixes a design flaw or common issue that doesn't violate safety standards. Think of it as an official "best practice" for fixing a nagging problem that wasn't apparent when the car was first sold.
If your car is experiencing a known issue—like a strange transmission shudder or a persistent dashboard rattle—a TSB provides the certified solution. The key difference lies in cost and urgency. Safety recalls are always free repairs mandated by the government. TSB repairs are typically only covered for free if your vehicle is within the manufacturer's new-car warranty period. Outside of warranty, you'll likely have to pay for the fix, though some manufacturers may offer goodwill assistance for widespread problems.
The table below illustrates the core differences between a TSB and a Recall:
| Feature | Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) | Safety Recall |
|---|
| Purpose | Addresses a common non-safety-related issue (e.g., noise, malfunction, performance quirk). | Corrects a safety-related defect that fails to meet federal safety standards. |
| Scope | Applies to specific models, model years, and VIN ranges experiencing the problem. | Applies to all vehicles affected by the specific safety defect. |
| Cost to Owner | Usually free only if the vehicle is within the factory warranty period. Cost is owner's responsibility after warranty expires. | Repair is always free of charge, regardless of the vehicle's age or mileage. |
| Legal Mandate | Voluntary notification; not mandated by a government agency. | Legally mandated and enforced by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). |
| Notification | Owners are not automatically notified. You or your mechanic must search for applicable TSBs. | Owners are notified directly by first-class mail from the manufacturer. |
To find out if there are TSBs for your car, you can search the NHTSA website using your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), check paid subscription services like AllData, or simply ask a dealership service advisor to check for you.
