Hey Guys - Real dumb question.

Is the work described in TSB's similar to a Recall - where you take your care into a Jag dealership, and they do the work/fix the problem for FREE?

Can anyone explain the process please?

 

Mayor, TSBs (Technical Service Bulletins) are memos put out by the manufacturer to the dealerships to help them diagnose common problems. The manufacturer looks at past problems, sees what parts were used to fix the issues and then makes a recommendation list of what parts should be replaced and in which order for a given problem. The idea behind this is they are being fed information on the likelihood of components to fail and what truely fixes a problem. This saves the manufacturer money since they are paying for less dealership time and also should keep the customer more happy since they only have to bring in the vehicle 1 time (vice numerous trips).

As for how to use the TSBs to get work done. The rule that I have heard a lot of people use is that as long as your vehicle is under the manufacturer's original warrantee (whether the 3 year/36K mile, 5 year/60K mile, etc), TSBs will be done for free as long as you complain about the problem. You don't complain, the manufacturer is not going to fix it or send you a letter about the problem. This is different from a recall in that for recalls, the manufacturer is mandated to send you a letter explaining the problem and is required to correct the issue regardless if you have the problem or not.

Hopefully this clears things up a little bit. Normally TSBs are put out on smaller issues (rattles in the dash, recommended fluids, etc). But, some of them can cover major components. I know I got a brand new front axle on my truck because of a TSB (someone discovered you could spit the lube out the vent if you drove the truck at 70 mph in 4HI, like you would do that).

 

The MAJOR difference is: Recalls address safety issues which MUST be resolved, whereas TSB's address problems for which the manufacturer has devised a "fix"....but they do NOT automatically fix, or notify the consumer. As mentioned above, TSB's are typically only covered while the car is in base warranty....a recall is forever.

 

Thanks for the answers, I was also wondering this about TSBs.