
And then look for those problems on the test drive. Look at the TSBs to see what kinds of problems other cars like it have had. Your car is acting up? Look up the TSBs for your car – maybe the manufacturer found a fix for it since the last time you were in the shop.Ĭar shopping? Punch the VIN of the car you are looking at into the website. See You can even run the Vehicle Identification Number of your car and find out if there are any outstanding recalls for it. The good thing about Recalls and TSBs is that they are tracked by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Free ford tsb how to#
No, the TSB just means they probably know how to fix the problem-but you will get charged for the repair. Or, they have a car that is outside of warranty and they hope the existence of a TSB means they get a free fix. But I have heard from many consumers who have had problems with their cars which stymied the mechanics – only to have a TSB issued after the warranty expired. Obviously, if the car is still under warranty and the TSB applies to a warranted problem, then the fix can be done under warranty. The TSB is a guide for mechanics to fix the problem but it is not a free fix by itself. Technical Service Bulletins are issued by manufacturers when there is a problem found in a number of cars which does not have an obvious fix. The auto manufacturers had no legal obligation to repair the cars. Do you remember the paint delamination problem in the 1990s? Several auto manufacturers had issues with the paint on their cars peeling off in sheets, usually around the time the warranties on the cars had expired. The confusion arises when there is a widespread problem with a car that is not deemed a safety risk and the cars are out of warranty. (I know fire is serious but who doesn't know how to turn off their cruise?)
Free ford tsb for free#
Ford came up with some sort of fix and made it available for free to anyone who had one of the Explorers at the time of the recall.
Free ford tsb driver#
I got one for a Ford Explorer that indicated some Ford Explorer cruise control systems were subject to fire if the driver didn't disengage it properly. There have been all kinds of recalls over the years, many less serious than these. As such, the manufacturer will have to make the repair at no charge to the car owner regardless of whether or not the car is still under a manufacturer's warranty. Both the problems mentioned above affect safety and are the subject of recalls. Recalls are mandated by the government when a problem is found with an automobile which is safety related.

If nothing else, you can use this information next time you buy a used car. But when does the manufacturer have to fix something at no charge for the consumer? Follow along. Ignition switches that shut off randomly? Airbags that blast projectiles into the driver? We've seen it all by now. Other times, the problems are safety-related and not so easy to fix. Automobile manufacturers often put cars on the road with defects which become apparent long after the cars are sold.
