Can Any Mechanic Do Recall Maintenance?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Of course,

any car repair shop may fix the recall issue

. It only means that you'll have to pay for all costs yourself. If there's a recall on your car, take it to the closest car dealership around you.

What is the difference between a recall and service repair?


A recall refers to a safety-related repair that is mandatory for you to have fixed

. The repair is generally done by a dealership that is certified on behalf of the manufacturer. The work is done at no cost to you, and necessary parts are provided by the manufacturer.

Do recalls on vehicles expire?

While

car don't have an expiration date

, they are only enforced for “reasonable periods,” the agency says. Basically, a recall is over if a vehicle's manufacturer goes out of business, or if the parts needed to make the necessary repair are no longer being made.

How long do you have to take care of a car recall?

The statute of limitations for all no-charge recalls is

8 years from the original sale date of the vehicle

. After that time, you may be required to pay if you wish to have the part or parts replaced or corrected.

How long does a recall last?

A recall is good through the statute of limitations for

up to ten years, with the exception of tire recalls which are valid for 60 days

. However a car manufacturer is inclined to fix the issue even after those ten years have passed and most will give you no issues repairing the car.

Are recalls covered by warranty?

Once you hear about a recall, you can take your car in for service.

In an official recall, the repairs are always covered by the manufacturer

. In most cases, recalls don't pose a significant threat to safety.

Is a technical service bulletin the same as a recall?

Technical Service Bulletins

differ from recalls in that they are not issued to address safety or emissions issues

and they usually apply only when your vehicle is in its warranty period.

Do technical service bulletins expire?

A technical service bulletin is not a recall. Recalls apply only to safety- or emissions-related problems. Federal law also requires that owners be notified of recalls and that the vehicles be fixed free as soon as possible.

Recalls have no expiration date

.

Are TSBs covered under warranty?

A TSB typically covers parts or processes that malfunction but aren't considered safety issues. A TSB is a voluntary repair.

If your car is under warranty, the manufacturer may cover the TSB repair

. If not, the owner bears the cost of the repair.

How Much Do car recalls cost?

The average cost of an auto recall over the last 10 years was about

$500 per vehicle

, according to Mike Held, a director in the automotive and industrial practice at AlixPartners, a global consulting firm.

Do safety recalls cost money?

As a general rule, safety recalls have no expiration date and are performed at

no charge

to the current owner.

Do recalls affect trade in value?

A dealer may choose to offer you less for a trade-in with an open recall. But a savvy shopper can have most recalls rectified before trading. This way,

recalls won't hurt the used car's value

. Sometimes, a resolved recall can improve the value of a vehicle on the used car market.

Do you get a courtesy car if your car is recalled?

Generally, you'll be asked to take your car to your nearest dealer, and you shouldn't be charged for having the fault fixed.

If the work is likely to take a long time, you should be provided with a courtesy car

.

How do I know if a recall was fixed on my car?


Call the authorized dealership and let them know you are interested in finding out if your vehicle has been recalled

. Provide them with the VIN. Once they pull up the VIN they will determine if your vehicle was in fact involved in a recall and if the recall had been performed.

Should I buy a car with outstanding recall?

Should you be worried about your car being recalled?

There is generally no reason to be concerned if your car is recalled

. In fact, it's usually a sign that the car maker is proactively fixing a potential safety issue before anything goes wrong with your car.

Do you get money back for recalled items?

Do You Get a Refund If a Product Is Recalled? The remedy is specific to the individual recall.

In some cases, you may get a full or partial refund

. The company may also repair or replace the recalled product or let you choose one of these options.

How does a vehicle recall work?

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) states that

a safety recall is issued if either the manufacturer or the NHTSA determines that a vehicle or its equipment pose a safety risk or do not meet motor vehicle safety standards

.

What happens if your car has a recall?


The automaker can choose to repair the defect, replace the vehicle with one of identical or similar specifications, or refund the full purchase price (adjusted for depreciation)

. If you've already paid for repairs that would have been done under the recall, the automaker often must reimburse you.

Who pays for a recall on a car?

According to the law,

the manufacturer who made the error

should be responsible for remedying the situation, including paying for the replacement parts and service costs. If a device on your vehicle is recalled, the first thing a customer should do is take that car to the nearest dealership.

What are the two types of vehicle recalls?

There are two types of vehicle recalls –

emissions and safety

. Under most circumstances, vehicle recall repairs can be completed at no charge to the customer.

Do all cars have recalls?


Not every recall is for a dangerous safety issue

. But every recall is a hassle for owners. About 75 percent of owners typically — and unwisely — ignore the notice to bring their vehicle to the dealership for a fix even though the repair is free.

What is a factory recall?

A recall is

issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle, equipment, car seat, or tire creates an unreasonable safety risk or fails to meet minimum safety standards

.

What does TSB mean for cars?

A new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration database allows you to search your vehicle's make, model, and year to find

technical service bulletins

, or TSBs, that are created by the manufacturer and shared with dealers about how to repair recurring problems.

When should the service technician check for technical service bulletins?

The best practice of a technician is to always check TSBs

prior to starting a job

. It would be costly (and embarrassing) to replace a $500 ignition module only to learn that the OEM published a TSB for a corroded ground wire.

Is a technical service bulletin free?

The main reason it's important to see if any technical service bulletins have been addressed before buying a car is that you may have to pay for TSB repairs. That's different from recalls, which are performed for free.

Sometimes, however, TSB repairs are done free of charge

.

WHO issues a service bulletin?

A Service Bulletin is a notice to

an aircraft operator from the Aircraft Engine or component manufacturer

informing of a product change or improvement. An alert service bulletin is issued when an unsafe condition shows up that the manufacturer believes to be safety-related.

What TSB means?

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Technical Service Bulletins, or TSBs, document recommended procedures for repairing vehicles, issued by a vehicle manufacturer when there are several occurrences of an unanticipated problem.

Carlos Perez
Author
Carlos Perez
Carlos Perez is an education expert and teacher with over 20 years of experience working with youth. He holds a degree in education and has taught in both public and private schools, as well as in community-based organizations. Carlos is passionate about empowering young people and helping them reach their full potential through education and mentorship.