No. A “recall” almost always relates to a safety concern. While manufacturers voluntarily issue TSBs, manufacturers are typically compelled to issue a recall by consumer protection agencies.
For example, Recall 11V490000 pertains to fuel systems for Model Years 2010-2012 Audi A3 cars: “Due to the resonance condition, injector line number 2 could develop small cracks which could lead to fuel leakage. Leaking fuel in the presence of an ignition source, may lead to a fire(emphasis added).”
A recall is necessary when a car or an item of car equipment (including tires) does not comply with a Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard: When there is a safety-related defect in the car or equipment. Generally, a safety defect is defined as a problem that exists in a car or item of car equipment that: poses a risk to car safety; and may exist in a group of cars of the same design or manufacture, or items of equipment of the same type and manufacture.
Examples of defects considered safety related:
- Steering components that break suddenly causing partial or complete loss of car control.
- Problems with fuel system components, particularly in their susceptibility to crash damage, that result in leakage of fuel and possibly cause vehicle fires.
- Accelerator controls that may break or stick.
- Wheels that crack or break, resulting in loss of vehicle control.
- Engine cooling fan blades that break unexpectedly causing injury to persons working on a vehicle.
- Windshield wiper assemblies that fail to operate properly.
- Seats and/or seat backs that fail unexpectedly during normal use.
- Critical vehicle components that break, fall apart, or separate from the vehicle, causing potential loss of vehicle control or injury to persons inside or outside the vehicle.
- Wiring system problems inside or outside the vehicle.
- Car ramps or jacks that may collapse and cause injury to someone working on a vehicle.
- Air bags that deploy under conditions for which they are not intended to deploy.
- Child safety seats that contain defective safety belts, buckles, or components that create a risk of injury, not only in a car crash but also in non-operational safety of a car.
It is not uncommon for many California lemon law attorneys and personal injury attorneys to not understand these concepts and their potential application to a case.