NHTSA Service Bulletin 10170020: 2020 Nissan Altima
Official manufacturer communication context for 2020 Nissan Altima, with affected products, buyer checks and links into Carchieve recall, problem and VIN research.
Reviewed June 2026 from NHTSA manufacturer communication and service bulletin records. Carchieve is independent and not affiliated with any vehicle manufacturer or government agency.
VCR Engine Inspection *****Dealer Announcement***** Nissan is conducting a quality action on 10 specific MY 2020 Altima (L34) vehicles identified in Service Comm, to remove and inspect the lower engine oil pan. Affected vehicles are subject to stop sale and are either currently in dealer inventory or assigned and in transit to the dealer. *****What Dealers Should Do***** PLEASE FOLLOW THE ATTACHED REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Verify if vehicles are affected by this quality action using Service Comm or DBS National Service History Open Campaigns I.D. PC724 - New vehicles in dealer inventory can also be identified using DBS (Sales-> Vehicle Inventory, and filter by Open Campaign). - Refer to NPSB 15-460 for additional information - Please continue to check newly arriving inventory for campaign applicability. 2. Please do not drive, sell, loan or trade the specific 2020 Altima vehicles in Dealer Inventory subject to this Quality Action. 3. Use the attached procedure to inspect the vehicle. - If no gold colored debris is found in the lower engine oil pan, reseal the oil pan per the Electronic Service Manual (ESM). - File a claim for the inspection, and release the vehicle for sale - If gold colored debris is found in the lower engine oil pan, provide the requested information in an email to nnafqasupport@nissan-usa.com and HOLD the vehicle. - Do not file a claim Nissan Field Quality will review the E-mail submissions within two (2) business days of receipt and provide further instruction.
What this bulletin may mean before buying
Treat this as service research, not a verdict on one car. Before you buy, compare this communication with official recall campaigns, model-level owner complaint patterns, and the exact vehicle’s VIN-decoded specifications. A bulletin can help you ask a seller or dealer sharper questions about software updates, known repairs, warranty extensions and service history.
Affected products listed in this communication
Buyer checklist
- Run the 17-character VIN and confirm the year, make, model, engine and equipment match the listing.
- Check recall campaign pages for safety actions that may require dealer repair.
- Compare this bulletin with common problem pages for the same model and component area.
- Ask the seller or dealer whether the bulletin procedure, update or inspection has already been completed.
- Use the used-car buying checklist and get an independent inspection.
Frequently asked questions
What is NHTSA service bulletin 10170020?
VCR Engine Inspection *****Dealer Announcement***** Nissan is conducting a quality action on 10 specific MY 2020 Altima (L34) vehicles identified in Service Comm, to remove and inspect the lower engine oil pan. Affected vehicles are subject to stop sale and are either currently in dealer inventory or assigned and in transit to the dealer. *****What Dealers Should Do***** PLEASE FOLLOW THE ATTACHED REPAIR.
Is a service bulletin the same as a recall?
No. A recall is a safety campaign with a required remedy for affected VINs. A service bulletin or manufacturer communication usually describes diagnostic, repair, software, warranty or service information.
How should a used-car buyer use this bulletin?
Use it as a research signal. Compare it with recalls, owner complaints, service records, a VIN report and an independent inspection before buying.
Check the exact VIN before you buy
Model-level pages show public safety patterns. A full VIN report helps confirm the exact vehicle, decoded specs, recall applicability and buyer checks.
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