Recalls..... Questions

[jsbihn]

Just curious. I have an 03 H2 and I am seeing that there was some recalls or bulletins out there for our trucks.
I brought it to my dealer and he stated "nope sorry nothing available for your truck".
Is there some other means I can go to get items fixed that should have been made right to begin with?
(just cant see how years or mileage could possibly trump a recall or bulletin)

Any help?

[fyr145]

TSB's are a bit different than recalls. As I understand it..............

TSB's are recommended repairs that are issued by the manufacturer or after communications with the NHSTA. Dealers are not required to make repairs unless the vehicle is under some kind of factory or extended warranty. (the IIHS has no authority to issue any such TSB's as they are more of an advisory or reporting agency.)

Recalls are the more mandatory types of repairs but are usually VIN specific between only certain model years or model numbers. Recalls are usually dispatched directly from the manufacturer and specific instructions on what to repair are also included to the dealerships.

your VIN is the primary factor of recalls and TSB's and getting any repairs done.

"Many shoppers hear technical service bulletin along with "recall," but the two are very different. A recall is a government-mandated action that requires automakers to repair a safety-related defect for free. But a TSB comes from the manufacturer to address a common defect -- unrelated to safety -- in a particular vehicle. TSB repairs aren't necessarily done for free. Instead, the bulletin simply provides dealerships with guidance on how to repair a common problem."

Source: Auto Trader

"There are two types of motor vehicle recalls. The first is when a vehicle has a safety related defect as determined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA). This would be a Mandatory Recall. A Voluntary Recall is when the manufacturer recalls vehicles for a defect not necessarily related to safety. Any repairs made under a recall is paid for by the manufacturer.

A Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) is issued when a known problem or condition exists in a certain vehicle(s) and contains a repair for that problem. A TSB can also be issued to notify dealerships of diagnostic procedure changes, modified or improved parts or service manual revisions and updates.

TSBs are "Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty". This means if the vehicle is within it's warranty period, repair as outlined by the TSB is paid for by the manufacturer. If the vehicle is out of warranty, the customer is responsible for the repairs."

[jsbihn]

So if it is a listed recall... even though it is years out of warranty or miles past the warranty.... shouldnt it still be corrected?
I figured tsb's probably wouldnt be but I would think recalls would be..... yes / no?

[fyr145]

That would depend if its considered a mandatory recall or a voluntary recall. The other determining factor is the VIN number of the vehicle in question. Some recalls are only applicable to between certain production numbers.

[jsbihn]

Ok is there a way to find out if my rig falls into ny of those catagories.
Just would seem weird if it didnt.

Also, how does someone find out if the recall is voluntary or mandatory?
It appears there is only 5 recalls for the 2003....

Maybe I am wrong but I would like to get these done if they are recalled.

[fyr145]

Sure!..........

You can just go to the website http://www.nhtsa.gov and look them up there. Most safety related recalls will be mandatory while others may be voluntary.

I have an account with ALLDATA, they have the complete list of TSB's and recalls all in one location.


If its mandatory, it will state this on the actual recall itself.