NHTSA Service Bulletin 10201938: 2018-2022 Bentley Continental Gt
Official manufacturer communication context for 2018-2022 Bentley Continental Gt, 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.
Gear shift optimisation procedure - W12 TSI only. Customer statement / workshop findings: Customer reporting dissatisfaction with transmission shift quality in various driving conditions Prior to starting the instructions within this TPI, the Retailer must check and confirm the vehicle is in standard factory condition and has not had any non-approved aftermarket modifications conducted including the modification of the engine control modules (chip tuning) Should any aftermarket modifications be found, the Retailer must make Product Support aware by raising a DISS query to report the details of the modification, you must then await feedback from Product Support before conducting any further repairs relating to the shift quality complaint. Technical background: IMPORTANT: To allow the engine and transmission to adapt to the customers driving style the vehicle MUST either have covered at least 1000 miles/1600 Km or must have been used over a six week period (which ever occurs first) before carrying out the instructions within this TPI Prior to carrying out the instructions within this TPI, the Retailer must confirm with the customer that there is a transmission shift quality issue. Once confirmed carry out the instructions within the Measure section of the TPI ensuring all instructions are strictly adhered to
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 10201938?
Gear shift optimisation procedure - W12 TSI only. Customer statement / workshop findings: Customer reporting dissatisfaction with transmission shift quality in various driving conditions Prior to starting the instructions within this TPI, the Retailer must check and confirm the vehicle is in standard factory condition and has not had any non-approved aftermarket modifications conducted including the modification of.
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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