What is a Carchieve vehicle history report?

A Carchieve report is a complete safety and records check on any U.S. vehicle. Enter the 17-character VIN and you get the decoded vehicle identity and full specifications, every open safety recall, owner-reported complaints by system, official NHTSA crash-test ratings, and a buyer action plan, in one clean report and a downloadable PDF.

How is Carchieve different from a typical VIN lookup?

Carchieve doesn't just dump raw data. It authenticates the VIN, organizes every federal safety record into a buyer-ready dossier, scores the vehicle, and tells you exactly what to inspect, ask and verify before you pay, the way a careful mechanic would read the car.

How fast will I get my report?

Reports are generated in under a minute. As soon as your VIN is checked against the recall, complaint, ratings and identity databases, your report and PDF are ready to view and download.

Can I buy more than one report?

Yes. A single report is $24.99. If you're comparing several cars, the 3- and 5-report bundles save you money per report and the extra credits stay in your account until you use them.

What information do I need to run a report?

Only the 17-character Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN is on the lower-left corner of the windshield, the driver-side door jamb, and the vehicle title or registration.

Where does the data come from?

Every report is built from authoritative U.S. vehicle databases, including the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recall, complaint and 5-Star safety-rating programs and the federal VIN product information catalog. Carchieve authenticates the VIN check digit so you know the identity is genuine.

Can I share the report with a seller or mechanic?

Yes. Every report includes a professionally formatted PDF you can download, print, or forward to a private seller, dealer, or mechanic to support your buying decision.

NHTSA Service Bulletin 10170659: 2016-2020 Mazda Mx-5

Official manufacturer communication context for 2016-2020 Mazda Mx-5, with affected products, buyer checks and links into Carchieve recall, problem and VIN research.

10170659NHTSA document ID

Manufacturer communicationcommunication type

1affected product rows

82/100quality score

Reviewed June 2026 from NHTSA manufacturer communication and service bulletin records. Carchieve is independent and not affiliated with any vehicle manufacturer or government agency.

Quick answer

Some vehicles may exhibit scratches (1) on the rear of the seat back bar garnish (2) from contact with the convertible top (3).Due to assembly variations, the clearance between the seat back bar garnish and the convertible top is too small on some vehicles.On later 2016 models (starting with VINs JM1ND******117681), the link stopper of the convertible top has been changed to adjust the opening angle and folding position of the convertible top. This increased the gap between the seat back bar garnish and the convertible top when folded down. On these later models, the issue seems to occur if the customer does not completely lock the convertible top down when lowered. NOTE: Make the customer aware that the top needs to be completely locked down when lowered to prevent this from happening. With the convertible top lowered, press down on both the front and rear areas of the top (as shown with the arrows) until a latch sound is heard and the top does not pop up.

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

MakeModelModel yearsBuyer note

MazdaMx-52016-2020Ask for service records and run the exact VIN before purchase.

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 10170659?

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.

Get Full Report