NHTSA service bulletin

NHTSA Service Bulletin 10173952: 2019, 2020 Cadillac Malibu

Official manufacturer communication context for 2019, 2020 Cadillac Malibu, with affected products, buyer checks and links into Carchieve recall, problem and VIN research.

NHTSA service bulletin 10173952 summary graphic for 2019, 2020 Cadillac Malibu
10173952NHTSA document ID
Manufacturer communicationcommunication type
2affected product rows
100/100quality 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

Customer Satisfaction Program - The owner?s manual for certain 2019 and 2020 model year Cadillac XT4 vehicles includes incorrect instructions for towing the vehicle behind another vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels on a device known as a dolly. Owners will receive a manual insert with the correct instructions. The owner?s manual for certain 2019 model year Chevrolet Malibu vehicles includes instructions for towing the vehicle behind another vehicle with all four wheels on the ground (i.e., ?dinghy? towing). These vehicles are not equipped for this type of towing and should not be towed this way. Owners will receive a manual insert with instructions not to tow these vehicles with all four wheels on the ground. Owners will receive an owner?s manual insert with the correct instructions.

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
CadillacXt42019, 2020Ask for service records and run the exact VIN before purchase.

Buyer checklist

  1. Run the 17-character VIN and confirm the year, make, model, engine and equipment match the listing.
  2. Check recall campaign pages for safety actions that may require dealer repair.
  3. Compare this bulletin with common problem pages for the same model and component area.
  4. Ask the seller or dealer whether the bulletin procedure, update or inspection has already been completed.
  5. Use the used-car buying checklist and get an independent inspection.

Frequently asked questions

What is NHTSA service bulletin 10173952?

Customer Satisfaction Program - The owner?s manual for certain 2019 and 2020 model year Cadillac XT4 vehicles includes incorrect instructions for towing the vehicle behind another vehicle with two wheels on the ground and two wheels on a device known as a dolly. Owners will receive a manual insert with the correct instructions. The owner?s manual for certain 2019 model year Chevrolet Malibu vehicles includes.

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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