NASTF programs resolve gaps in information betweens repairers and OEMs, director says

The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) identifies and resolves gaps found in automakers’ service information, tool availability, training, and vehicle security access for repairers, Donny Seyfer, NASTF director, told the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) during an advisory group meeting late last month. 

“It’s mostly an education job,” Seyfer said. “I was a teacher for many years, and it turns out that’s what I’m doing today for the most  part. Automakers have staff changes constantly. We’re starting over a lot of times. The industry has a lot of questions and a lot of misconceptions on both sides, and so we try to bring them together and educate them.”

If there is a gap in information provided by automakers, NASTF will investigate the issue and communicate the findings with automakers, he said. He added that often automakers will work with the task force to solve the problem. 

“Ultimately we solve problems so cars can get fixed and people can get their cars,” he said. 

Repairers can find most repair service information for free on NASTF’s website. NASTF’s Diagnostic Network Service Information Request (SIR) platform is also a forum where technicians can share information. The website also provides a range of hundreds of videos that explain service information and provide training, Seyfer said. 

Seyfer added that technicians can also receive a consultation on a service information question. 

Through the Diagnostic Network SIR platform, technicians can request information, Seyfer said. NASTF will then go to the automaker with the information provided and find a solution, he said. 

“I did four yesterday,” he added. “That’s kind of an unusual day to have that many. Usually we get one or two a week.” 

Many of the requests involve IT problems, he said. 

“We have a 91% closure rate,” Seyfer said. “They get done. The automakers abide by their agreements for the most part.” 

If an issue is not resolved to a shop’s satisfaction, the shop can request an additional review from NASTF, he said. A panel of automakers and technicians in that brand would do the review.

“They then will tell the brand this is what you should do and the brand agrees to do that,” Seyfer said. “If the brand doesn’t decide to do that, then that’s the end of the NASTF process.” 

NASTF is a place technicians can turn to if they are having difficulty finding repair information from their information provider and automaker.

“Our main knowledge base is designed to help technicians solve issues where they’re trying to repair or reprogram a vehicle and the reprogramming didn’t go as expected,” he said. 

The webpage makes finding information easier, Seyfer said. This includes a page for each automaker and links to specific information such as diagnostic tool links, scan tool manuals, service info links, and module programming information. 

“We streamline it [information],” Seyfer said. “It’s a lot faster to find information.” 

NASTF also provides the Scan Tool Security Validation (VSP) program and Assisted Immobilizer Reprogramming (AIR) services. Both use verification procedures to vet shops before allowing access to immobilizers, vehicle security information, and key codes. 

Seyfer provided some information on how it vets shops. For example, shops have to be an authorized repair dealer under BAR’s program and present a locksmith license, he said. 

Consumers also have to authorize the event through the security programs, he said. 

“We vet them and monitor them to make sure that the transactions are all clean,” Seyfer said.

Overall, NASTF has 53,231 members, Seyfer said. He said about 10% of the members are located in California. The VSP program has 10,753 members.