Vehicle Warranties &

Recalls

John Marlow

Carol Boros

GSA Fleet Leasing Support Division

Recalls Carol Boros

Recall Session Objectives

• Familiarize you with GSA Fleet’s process for notifying customers about safety recalls.

• Distinguish between “safety,” “non-safety,” and “warranty extension,” recall campaigns.

• Determine what defines a recall as actionable.

• Explore GSA Fleet’s Drive-thru, NHTSA’s safercar.gov and OEM platforms to receive accurate information on safety recalls.

• Medium and Heavy Recalls

• GSA Fleet classifies recall campaigns into three categories: Safety (S), Non-safety (NS), and Warranty extension (W).

• GSA Fleet additionally classifies recall campaigns as “Actionable” or “Not Actionable.”

Recall Classifications

• When a safety recall becomes actionable, this means there is a remedy and parts available for the driver to schedule an appointment to get the vehicle fixed.

• Recalls are not actionable when a remedy and/or parts are not available. Manufacturers initiate recall campaigns before they have the resources.

Actionable?

• When manufacturers or regulators discover defects in vehicles which potentially can lead to the death or injury of occupants, a safety recall is initiated by the manufacturer.

• The manufacturer is legally mandated to send paper notifications to the vehicle owner on record.

• Closing safety recalls promptly is GSA Fleet’s first priority because safety recalls may lead to death or injury.

Safety Recall Campaigns

• Paper recalls are still sent to local customer in accordance with Federal regulations.

• 94% of GSA Fleet vehicles receive weekly electronic

recall updates.

• Medium and Heavy truck recalls are sent manually from the manufacturer and forwarded to customers.

GSA Fleet Recall Process

• NHTSA - 34 million vehicles under recall for 46 million defective airbags

• Takata airbag recalls are currently actionable with GM and FCA

○ Check Safercar.gov, OEM sites, and/or GSA Fleet Drive-thru for vehicles with open recalls.

○ If the recall is open and actionable, call your closest dealer and make an appointment to complete the recall.

Takata Airbags

• GSA Fleet updates recall records weekly and tracks recall trends across the fleet and down to the individual vehicle.

• Monthly notifications via email to all Local POC’s with vehicle(s) affected by a recall(s).

• GSA Fleet sends agency fleet managers bi-monthly inventory reports flagging vehicles with open recalls.

Customer Communication

Accessing GSA Fleet Recall Data

10

Select Recall Data Fields

11

Set Search Criteria and Output Method

12

Sample Output

13

Safercar.gov

14

3 Key Searches on

Safercar.gov

VIN

YEAR/MAKE/

MODEL

NHTSA ID Number

Recall Lookup

15

Sample Customer Letter

16

OEM Sites • FCA

• Ford

• GM

• Honda

• Hyundai

• Kia

• Mitsubishi

• Toyota

Vehicle

Warranties

John Marlow

Vehicle Warranties

• Standard Warranty

• Often referred to as bumper-to-bumper warranty

• Powertrain Warranty

• Refers to the main engine, drive axles,

transmission, and other vital components and

systems of your vehicle

• Special Coverage Adjustment

• Offered by OEMs on specific problem

components

• Extends coverage on the specified component

Vehicle Warranties - Towing

• Light Duty Vehicles

• Roadside Assistance (RSA) - Depends 3yrs/36k

– 5yrs/100k

• GSA is not charged (or is reimbursed) when

under warranty if towed to a dealer

• Heavy vehicle towing

• Bluebird, International/Navistar - 90 days

• International Maxxforce engine

• 1 year engine related

• VIN specific 2 years

• Mack - 90 days or 5,000 miles

Light Duty Vehicle

Beyond Standard Warranty

• GM Example – Engine Components

• Internally lubricated parts, engine oil cooling

hoses, and lines. Cylinder head, block, timing

gears, timing chain, timing cover, oil pump/oil

pump housing, manifolds, flywheel, water pump,

harmonic balancer, engine mount, turbocharger,

and supercharger.

• GM Example – Transmission Components

• All internally lubricated parts, case, torque

converter, mounts, seals and gaskets as well as

any electrical; components internal to the

transmission/transaxle

Light Duty Vehicle

Beyond Standard Warranty

Bluebird Example

Cummins Engine: Adult Bus (24 months/unlimited miles) School Bus (60 months/100,000 miles)

BB A/C System: 36 months Other A/C systems: 24 or 36 months

Allison Transmissions: (36 months/100,000 miles)

Voltec Batteries: 18 Months

Cummins and most other engine manufactures have a 5 year/100K emissions warranty which covers a great deal of items. Some of the high failure items covered include EGR valves & coolers, knock sensors, turbochargers and various DEF components.

Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicles

Beyond Standard Warranty

Bluebird Example

Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicles

Beyond Standard Warranty

Repairs Not Warrantied

• If a warranted item was repaired at a non-OEM

facility, GSA will be charged and will not be

reimbursed.

• Recalls will not be “Cleared” if not performed at a

dealer (After the date of the recall)

• If you have a local dealer - take the vehicle there.

• If you do not have a dealer locally – CALL the

Responsible Dealer.

• You must call the OEM prior to work being

performed when under warranty.

• Failure to try and obtain warranty coverage may

result in a financial cost to your agency.

• Vehicles 3 years & newer:

• Have all repairs performed at the local dealer

• No local dealer - ask for assistance

• Most big ticket warranties run out after 3 years

• At OEM Repair Facilities:

• We receive ~47% discount on parts vs non-OEM

shops

• We receive warranty coverage or reimbursement

• Recalls are free and also “Cleared” in the system

Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicles

Working Smarter

• The vehicle manufacturer

(OEM) is sometimes

different than who is

responsible for the

warranty

• Know your fleet

• Know who to call if you

do not have a local

dealer

• Pre-planning can have

significant cost impacts

Medium and Heavy Duty Vehicles

Know Where to Go

Thank you for attending

Vehicle Warranties and Recalls