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Perhaps one of the most important safety issues in the United States today concerns automobile safety. Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) bolster that concern in their role of ensuring that consumer vehicles are in the safest condition possible. In short, TSBs are the mechanism by which safety concerns are identified, circulated and addressed.
TSBs are bulletins that are issued to automobile dealerships by car manufacturers when important information must be relayed to the dealers regarding such critical issues as mechanical problems that exist within a certain type of vehicle. Often, the TSB will instruct the automobile dealership to fix a specific problem in a certain brand of automobile free of charge when a consumer, who has been notified of said problem, brings their automobile into the repair shop. TSBs notify the dealers that the problem may be addressed by using a variety of prescribed methods. The TSB may also provide notification of the possibility that an influx of individuals will come into the dealer repair shop to have this problem fixed.
The body responsible for issuance and management of Technical Service Bulletins is the automobile safety group known as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This administration is concerned with the welfare of citizens on the roads and highways and is responsible for investigating any potential safety problems that may exist with regard to consumer automobiles.
The NHTSA may initiate an investigation of possible vehicle problems as a result of a pattern of consumer complaints. If the manufacturer is found to be at fault at the conclusion of the investigation, the NHTSA then notifies the car manufacturer and orders the company to issue recall notices to affected individuals. These recall notices are issued to the consumer to notify the individual that a problem exists with their vehicle. Included in the notice is information on how the consumer should proceed in terms of the repair/resolution process. The TSB also notifies the dealership and shares information on the problem as well as steps for corrective action.
Technical Service Bulletins play an important role in our collective quest for automobiles that are safe. These bulletins make communication of problems swift and efficient thus, potentially, saving lives as well as holding manufacturers to important safety standards. If you have concerns about your car, or questions about a recall, it is a good idea to consult the NHTSA website. This site has a wealth of information and resources that can provide you with the answers you need to operate your vehicle safely.