NHTSA Service Bulletin 10183981: 2020 Nissan Kicks
Official manufacturer communication context for 2020 Nissan Kicks, 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.
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Replacement Dealer Announcement: Nissan is conducting a dealer inventory quality action to replace the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) on nine (9) 2020 Nissan Kicks vehicles and two (2) 2020 Versa vehicles identified in Service Comm. Due to a manufacturing issue that has since been corrected, Nissan has determined that the installed CVT in the subject vehicles may not meet specification. 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 Campaign I.D. PM963 New vehicles in dealer inventory can also be identified by using DBS (Sales-> Vehicle Inventory, and filter by Open Campaign). Refer to NPSB 15-460 for additional information Some vehicles may still be in transit. Please continue to check newly arriving inventory for QA Hold applicability. 2.Please do not drive, sell, loan, or trade the specific vehicles in Dealer Inventory subject to this Quality Action. If an affected vehicle was previously traded, this information should be forwarded to the new dealer. 3.Use the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) to replace the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) prior to offering the vehicle for sale. Parts will be orderable via normal ordering process beginning the first week of December. NOTE: Parts replaced under this campaign activity will be collected. Parts requested are VIN and repair order specific. It is important for dealers to return parts applicable to the VIN and repair order identified.
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 10183981?
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) Replacement Dealer Announcement: Nissan is conducting a dealer inventory quality action to replace the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) on nine (9) 2020 Nissan Kicks vehicles and two (2) 2020 Versa vehicles identified in Service Comm. Due to a manufacturing issue that has since been corrected, Nissan has determined that the installed CVT in the subject vehicles may.
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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