NHTSA service bulletin

NHTSA Service Bulletin 10175864: 2011-2020 Isuzu N-series

Official manufacturer communication context for 2011-2020 Isuzu N-series, with affected products, buyer checks and links into Carchieve recall, problem and VIN research.

NHTSA service bulletin 10175864 summary graphic for 2011-2020 Isuzu N-series
10175864NHTSA document ID
Manufacturer communicationcommunication type
1affected product rows
1source rows grouped

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

AN INVESTIGATION OF RETURNED TURBOCHARGERS HAS IDENTIFIED A COMMON OCCURRENCE OF TURBOCHARGERS BEING REPLACED DUE TO INTERNAL OIL LEAKS WHEN, IN FACT, THERE IS NO OIL LEAK IN OR OTHER FAULT WITH THE TURBOCHARGER. THE PERCEIVED OIL LEAK ACTUALLY MAY BE A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CLOSED POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM OR SOME OTHER UNIDENTIFIED CONDITION. THE PURPOSE OF THE CLOSED PCV SYSTEM IS TO KEEP HARMFUL BLOWBY GAS FROM ENTERING THE ATMOSPHERE. UNFORTUNATELY, BLOWBY GAS PRODUCTION AND AIR INTAKE DEMANDS DO NOT ALWAYS MATCH WHICH ALLOWS SOME OIL VAPOR FROM THE CRANKCASE TO ENTER THE INTAKE SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO AN INCORRECT DIAGNOSIS. OIL IN THE INTAKE SYSTEM IS COMMON FOR A CLOSED PCV SYSTEM AND IS NOT A GOOD INDICATOR OF A TURBOCHARGER FAILURE. THE OIL SEAL INSIDE THE ISUZU TURBOCHARGER IS A DYNAMIC SEAL (NOT A RUBBER SEAL). AIR PRESSURE (I.E. BOOST PRESSURE) ON THE COMPRESSOR SIDE AND EXHAUST PRESSURE ON THE TURBINE SIDE KEEP THE LUBRICATING OIL INSIDE THE TURBOCHARGER CENTER HOUSING. A REDUCTION IN PRESSURE ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CENTER HOUSING WILL ALLOW OIL TO PASS INTO EITHER THE INTAKE OR THE EXHAUST SIDE OF THE TURBOCHARGER. IN ORDER TO STOP OIL FROM BYPASSING, THE SOURCE OF THE PRESSURE REDUCTION MUST BE LOCATED AND CORRECTED. THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF THIS CONDITION ARE A RESTRICTED AIR FILTER, INCORRECT ENGINE OIL, LOOSE INTAKE HOSE CLAMPS, AND/OR EXCESSIVE CRANKCASE PRESSURE. IN ORDER TO BETTER SERVICE THE CUSTOMER AND HELP PREVENT THE UNNECESSARY REPLACEMENT OF UNDAMAGED TURBOCHARGERS, WE ARE PROVIDING THE FOLLOWING INSPECTION INFORMATION DESIGNED TO AID THE TECHNICIAN IN PROPERLY DIAGNOSING TURBOCHARGER CONCERNS.

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
IsuzuN-series2011-2020Ask 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 10175864?

AN INVESTIGATION OF RETURNED TURBOCHARGERS HAS IDENTIFIED A COMMON OCCURRENCE OF TURBOCHARGERS BEING REPLACED DUE TO INTERNAL OIL LEAKS WHEN, IN FACT, THERE IS NO OIL LEAK IN OR OTHER FAULT WITH THE TURBOCHARGER. THE PERCEIVED OIL LEAK ACTUALLY MAY BE A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CLOSED POSITIVE CRANKCASE VENTILATION (PCV) SYSTEM OR SOME OTHER UNIDENTIFIED CONDITION. THE PURPOSE OF THE CLOSED PCV SYSTEM IS TO.

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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