Re: Vehicle Recalls Up 25% in 2007

On Thu, 3 Jan 2008 21:20:12 -0600, "Ray O"
<rokigawaATtristarassociatesDOTcom> wrote:

>When an automaker fixes known defects or potential defects voluntarily,
they 
>are called (at least in Toyota's case) a special policy adjustment, or
SPA.

Yes, just terminology. 

>It is illegal in most states for the dealer to perform any work on the 
>customers car without the customer's consent, whether it is customer pay,

>warranty, SSC, or SPA work and a violation of the automaker's service 
>policies.  If the customer is not going to be charged for the work, there
is 
>no reason for the dealer to do it on the sly - the will simply call the 
>customer and say that they found a potential problem, and would the
customer 
>OK it if the repairs will be paid for the by automer?

Perhaps strictly speaking. I've had a dealer do warranty work and when
I picked up the car they told me "we also did x and y at no charge as
part of a service campaign". Didn't upset me - in fact, I was happy to
know they would voluntarily do work just to keep my car running well.