Technical Service Bulletins: What They Are and How to Find Them

If your car has a strange noise or an odd glitch that your mechanic can't easily explain, there may already be an official fix. Automakers issue technical service bulletins, or TSBs, to tell technicians how to handle known problems. Knowing how to find them can save you time, money, and frustration.

What a TSB is

A technical service bulletin is a document an automaker sends to its dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair. A TSB might cover:

• A software update for a transmission or infotainment system
• A revised part that replaces one prone to failure
• A new repair procedure for a squeak, rattle, or leak
• Updated diagnostic steps for a hard-to-pinpoint problem

TSBs are written for technicians, so they are often technical. They usually list the affected models, model years, symptoms, and the parts and labor involved.

How TSBs differ from recalls

People often confuse the two, but they are different:

• Recalls address safety defects or failures to meet federal safety standards. Recall repairs are done free of charge, and owners are notified.
• TSBs address problems that are not considered safety defects. They are guidance for repairs, and there is no automatic promise of a free fix.

Whether you pay for a TSB repair depends on your warranty status. If your car is under its factory warranty and the problem is covered, the dealer typically does the TSB repair under warranty. Outside warranty, you may pay, although automakers sometimes offer goodwill help or extend coverage for specific problems through special programs.

How to find TSBs for your car

1. Check the NHTSA website. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lets you search by year, make, and model or by VIN. The results include recalls, complaints, and manufacturer communications, which often include TSBs.
2. Ask a dealer service department. Dealers can look up bulletins for your VIN. Ask specifically whether any TSBs match your symptoms.
3. Ask your independent shop. Many shops subscribe to repair databases that include bulletins.
4. Check owner forums. Fellow owners often share bulletin numbers. Verify anything you find through an official source.

Write down the bulletin number and title. That makes it easy for a service advisor to pull it up.

How to use a TSB at the shop

When you bring your car in, describe the symptoms clearly and mention the bulletin. You might say, "I found a bulletin for this noise on my model year. Can you check whether it applies?"

A TSB applies only if your car matches the conditions it describes. The technician should still confirm the problem before following the bulletin's repair.

If your car is under warranty and a TSB matches, ask whether the repair will be covered. If the dealer says no, ask them to explain why in writing. Keep a copy of the repair order even if the fix doesn't work the first time. A record that shows you reported the problem while under warranty can help if it comes back later.

TSBs and extended warranties

An extended car warranty, or vehicle service contract, does not follow TSBs the same way a factory warranty does. A service contract pays for covered parts that fail under its terms. If a TSB repair involves replacing a covered part that has actually failed, the plan may pay, subject to its deductible and exclusions.

Some contracts exclude repairs that are the manufacturer's responsibility, such as recalls. Others exclude software updates that don't involve a failed part. Read the exclusions section closely. Our covered parts overview explains what plans commonly include, and our claims page covers how the process typically works.

Why bulletins are useful when buying a used car

Before buying a used car, search for TSBs and recalls on that model. A long list of bulletins for the same system can tell you what to watch for. You can also ask the seller for proof that open recalls were completed. Our make guides give an overview by brand.

How Warranty Wizards can help

We help you compare plans from independent third-party providers and explain how each one handles known issues and repairs. We'll show you what a plan covers before you buy. Request a free quote at /get-a-quote/.