Technical Service Bulletin (TSB): What It Is and How It Differs From a Recall
Also called: TSB, Service bulletin
A technical service bulletin is a notice a manufacturer sends to its dealers describing a known problem with certain vehicles and the recommended repair or procedure. Unlike a recall, a TSB does not involve a declared safety defect, and the repair is not automatically free — it is usually covered only while the vehicle is under warranty or by goodwill.
By the CarWhere Research team · Updated November 2026
How it affects a buyer
TSBs are a map of a model’s known weak spots. For a used-car buyer, a bulletin covering the exact car you’re considering — a transmission shudder, an oil-consumption issue, a software update — tells you what to ask the seller and what to have the mechanic look at. If the repair was done, the records should show it; if it wasn’t and the car is out of warranty, the cost may be yours, which belongs in the price you offer. A long list of bulletins on one system can also explain why particular model years are best avoided.
How to check it
Manufacturers must give NHTSA copies of the communications they send to dealers about defects and repairs, and NHTSA makes them searchable alongside recalls when you look up a vehicle on its site. Ask the seller or the brand’s dealer whether bulletin work was performed on the VIN, and bring the bulletin number to your pre-purchase inspection. Separately, check the VIN for open recalls — those repairs are free.
Check it on a specific car
Frequently asked questions
Is a TSB the same as a recall?
No. A recall addresses a safety defect or a failure to meet a federal safety standard, and the fix must be free. A TSB is repair guidance for a known non-safety issue; whether you pay depends on warranty coverage or the manufacturer’s goodwill.
Do dealers have to fix a TSB for free?
Only if the repair is covered — typically by the factory warranty, an extended warranty specified in the bulletin, or a goodwill decision. Outside coverage, the owner usually pays.
Where can I find TSBs for my car?
Look up the vehicle on NHTSA’s recall site, which includes manufacturer communications submitted to the agency. A franchised dealer for the brand can also tell you which bulletins apply to a specific VIN.