Technical Service Bulletins: What a TSB Is and How to Find One
Service bulletins tell dealers how to fix common problems. Knowing that one exists for your car can save hours of diagnosis and sometimes the repair bill.
A technical service bulletin (TSB) is a document an automaker sends to its dealers describing a known problem on certain models and how to diagnose and repair it. A TSB is not a safety recall: the repair is free only while the car is under warranty, under a warranty extension, or when the automaker agrees to cover it. You can look up TSBs for your car’s year, make and model on nhtsa.gov.
What is a technical service bulletin?
A TSB is a repair instruction for technicians. It names the affected models and build dates, describes the symptom, such as a rattle, a warning light or a software glitch, and lists the fix, parts and labor time.
Automakers issue thousands of bulletins. Many cover minor items like wind noise or an updated part number. Others address problems that cost real money, such as transmission shifting complaints or infotainment software faults. A bulletin does not mean every car on the list has the problem; it applies when the car shows the described symptom.
How is a TSB different from a recall?
A recall is a legal remedy for a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard, and the automaker must notify owners and fix the car free. A TSB is advice to dealers, owners are usually not notified, and the repair is paid like any other repair unless coverage applies.
| Safety recall | Technical service bulletin | |
|---|---|---|
| Why it exists | Safety defect or noncompliance | Known problem, often not safety-related |
| Owner notification | Required by mail | Usually none |
| Who pays | Automaker, free at a franchised dealer | Owner, unless under warranty, an extension or goodwill |
| Applies to | Every VIN in the recall population | Cars showing the described symptom |
| Where to check | VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls | Year, make and model search at nhtsa.gov |
Our guide to who pays for recall repairs covers the free-repair rules for recalls. If a problem is a safety risk and no recall exists, you can report it to NHTSA.
Is a TSB repair free?
A TSB repair is free when the car is within the warranty that covers that part, or when the automaker has issued a warranty extension or special coverage program for the problem. Outside those, the owner pays, though some automakers cover part or all of the cost as goodwill, especially on low-mileage cars.
- Under the factory warranty: the dealer does the TSB repair as a warranty claim at no charge.
- Warranty extension or special service campaign: the automaker extends coverage for one component, for example to 10 years, and may reimburse owners who already paid. These are sometimes called “secret warranties” because owners are not always told.
- Out of warranty: you pay, but the bulletin can shorten diagnosis time because the technician follows a known procedure.
Several states, including California, require automakers to notify owners of warranty extension programs and reimburse earlier repairs. Ask the automaker’s customer service line, not only the dealer, whether a program applies to your VIN.
How do I find TSBs for my car on nhtsa.gov?
Federal law requires automakers to send NHTSA copies of communications to dealers and owners about defects, and NHTSA must post them in a searchable public index, under 49 U.S.C. 30166(f). NHTSA lists them as manufacturer communications.
- Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and choose the search by vehicle (year, make and model) rather than by VIN.
- Pick the body style and drive type that match your car.
- On the vehicle page, find the manufacturer communications count next to recalls, investigations and complaints.
- Open the list and scan the summaries for your symptom. Each entry links to the bulletin document.
- Note the bulletin number and date, and print or save the document.
Recall and investigation pages on the same site also list associated documents, which can include dealer bulletins tied to that campaign. Searching is by vehicle, not by symptom, so expect to scroll through many entries for popular models.
How do I use a TSB at the dealer?
Bring the bulletin number and describe the symptom in the same words the bulletin uses. That helps the service advisor match your complaint to the known fix instead of starting a general diagnosis.
- Confirm your warranty status by VIN before the visit.
- Write the symptom on the repair order, with when and how it happens.
- Give the bulletin number and ask whether it applies to your VIN.
- If you are out of warranty, ask the dealer to request goodwill coverage from the automaker before you approve paid work.
- Keep every repair order. Repeated visits for the same problem can matter under state lemon laws.
Bottom line
A TSB tells you the automaker knows about the problem and has a fix. Check nhtsa.gov before a repair, use the bulletin number at the dealer, and ask about warranty extensions or goodwill if you are past the warranty.
FAQ
Will the dealer tell me about TSBs on my car?
Not always. Dealers often apply a TSB when your complaint matches it, but owners are not routinely notified. Searching yourself is the reliable way to know.
Can an independent shop perform a TSB repair?
Yes, if it has the procedure and parts, but you will pay for it. Warranty and extension coverage normally requires a franchised dealer of the brand.
Does a TSB mean my car will be recalled?
Not necessarily. Most TSBs never become recalls. A recall follows only if the automaker or NHTSA determines there is a safety defect.
Does NHTSA have every TSB?
NHTSA receives copies of communications about defects, but the index may not include every bulletin an automaker issues. Automaker service information sites, which usually charge for access, have the full library.
