The Shell Game: Should TSB's And Secret Factory Warranties Become Publically Available?

For years, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has declined to post on its Web site reports from automakers about problems with their cars and about specialized warranty extensions that could save consumers large sums on repairs.

The reason: the agency says automakers have warned it that the reports, called technical service bulletins, are copyrighted.

The technical service bulletins are sent to dealers by automakers and provide information on unusual problems with vehicles they have produced — most of them in the hands of customers — and how to make repairs. Special service campaigns are a form of technical service bulletin that often tell dealers of warranty extensions for particular repairs.

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internationalmanofmystery - 4/4/2011 1:33:05 PM

0 Boost

"“The U.S. government can be charged with copyright infringement,” she said in an interview. But the agency could defend itself by saying it was a fair use of the material because of the benefit to consumers...."

Oh what a tangled web we weave when those entrusted with our safety goes along to deceive. "Our hands were tied. Our hands were tied!"

holmstar - 4/4/2011 1:39:10 PM

0 Boost

What are you talking about? TSBs are available right here: http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/tsbs/tsbsearch.cfm

internationalmanofmystery - 4/4/2011 2:02:17 PM

-1 Boost

You can BUY the report, not the same!

holmstar - 4/4/2011 2:13:31 PM

+1 Boost

It's free to view the summary info online. No, you don't get the full document for free, but you can see if there is a TSB for a specific issue, which is all that you need really, unless you want to do the repair yourself.

Agent009 - 4/4/2011 3:33:20 PM

+1 Boost

Recalls and TSB's are an important issue that is often overlooked when buying a pre-owned vehicle.

The last pre-owned vehicle I bought was in the shop for 2 days right after getting it. The issue?

None that I could tell upfront, however when I gave the dealership to look it over and performed all recalls and TSB that applied that is when we found out that none had been done.

LexSucks - 4/5/2011 9:04:13 AM

+1 Boost

TSB information should never be made public for I am a share-owner.