How TSBs Make Diagnosing and Repairing Cars Easier

You might have heard the abbreviation TSB mentioned by your mechanic or friend and are wondering, “what does TSB stand for?” TSB stands for a technical service bulletin. Vehicle manufacturers issue this report when they’ve found a problem with their vehicles. So, if there’s a TSB for your car, then it could mean that it has problems.

What Is a TSB?

TSBs inform mechanics that a certain vehicle model tends to have a problem. Sometimes, the TSB includes helpful repair information for service technicians that involves either updating the vehicle’s software or modifying the vehicle. This can greatly reduce the amount of work needed in diagnosing a vehicle since certain components like the engine are incredibly time-consuming to diagnose. A TSB can include important facts and instructions to enable technicians to perform a faster and more effective repair.

The goal of TSBs is to save time troubleshooting by announcing that certain problems exist and can be fixed with a set procedure. 

TSBs are different from recalls. Recalls are government required announcements made to address latent safety, reliability, or emissions flaws. Repairing these flaws are covered by the dealership and manufacturer. 

An “open” recall is one that hasn’t been performed. This type of recall is required to be completed, and a manufacturer might pay a fine if a certain percentage of the recalled vehicles aren’t repaired under the recall, which is open-ended (no expiration date).

There are, however, recall type programs that extend the warranty period for a particular repair but expire with time and mileage.

TSBs don’t always deal with safety issues, and they aren’t always free.

Recall-related repairs typically aim to fix or replace the part before the issue appears. TSB repairs are only done to fix defects that can be confirmed by service specialists, compared to recall-related repairs, which are done without question. In most cases, these repairs will be free if the car is still under warranty. While TSBs are issued on a regular basis, don’t use this as an excuse to look for faults when none exist. 

While a TSB might not be as bad as a recall, it can still escalate into a full recall if either the manufacturer or federal government receives enough complaints. 

Aside from communicating whether a vehicle model is susceptible to certain issues, TSBs can communicate changes to repair procedures changes included in the original owner’s manual. TSBs can also offer tips on how to repair certain OBD-II diagnostic codes. 

Some vehicles might have no TSBs, while others can have a large number of them. Affected vehicles under a TSB can also greatly vary. A TSB can apply to a small number of vehicles, all vehicles in production, a manufacturer’s entire model line, or vehicles built within a specific time frame. A TSB can also target a specific component that’s used in different vehicle models, such as an engine or infotainment system.

How To Access TSBs

TSBs are typically intended for dealerships and independent mechanics. However, a vehicle owner can check if a TSB applies to their vehicle using a new database made by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). On the NHTSA recall page, you can go to the vehicle tab and input your vehicle’s year, make, and model to see the manufacturer communications, which is another term for TSB. 

You can filter the information based on the TSB’s affected components. You can also find manufacturers’ repair instructions for mechanics if you expand the tab for associated documents. Some TSBs issued before 2012 might not be available, and the coverage period for earlier TSBs might have ended.
You can also check if there’s an active TSB or open recall on your vehicle by going to a dealership and giving them your vehicle identification number. Some problems can be even repaired for free if they’re indicated in the TSB.