David A. Kolman, editor, Fleet Maintenance

Kolman’s Korner: Do you heed service bulletins?

Oct. 12, 2015
Attention needs to be paid to them.

A vehicle service bulletin, basically, is an “instruction” issued by a vehicle OEM about some type of specific repair issue on a particular year, make and model vehicle.

I recall a fleet maintenance manager describing service bulletins as being between a normal repair and a recall.

The question is: Do you pay attention service bulletins?

There are serious consequences that could occur when a vehicle service bulletin is not acted upon. Case in point: That recent duck boat accident in Seattle that killed five people and injured dozens.

According to the National Transportation Board, the amphibious vehicle did not have an axle repair that was recommended for at least some amphibious vehicles. The warning included instructions for inspecting the problem area, along with instructions for the repair.

You might want to reconsider how to handle service bulletins.

About the Author

David A. Kolman | Contributor - Fleet Maintenance

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