2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system5327.0%
- Electrical4120.9%
- Engine4120.9%
- Driver assistance147.1%
- Powertrain (other)126.1%
- Brakes105.1%
- Airbags63.1%
- Exterior lighting52.6%
- Seat belts52.6%
- Body & structure42.0%
- Visibility31.5%
- Other / unspecified10.5%
- Steering10.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost drive power. The message "Service Electronic Throttle" was displayed, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V586000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer was contacted; however, the part to do the recall was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but was unable to state when parts would be available. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
Car stalled on highway leaving my life at risk and dealer has no date to repair fuel line
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. While the contact’s wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, another motorist informed the driver that there was smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The vehicle was immediately parked and failed to restart. The contact was called to the scene and inspected under the hood of the vehicle and discovered smoldering and melted wires. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the chassis-to-engine grounding strap had failed due to corrosion and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer and dealer were made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 54,000.
My vehicle has been subject of multiple recalls, however the current recall is a significant one and has been pending for months with no end in sight. I am concerned The manufacturer and dealers are not taking this seriously and the delay is causing additional damage to my vehicle. Additionally quickly googling my vehicle will show that it has fuel pump and acceleration jerking and lag issues that are extremely, extremely, common and troubling. I am also still having the service engine soon issues described in recalls and other forums related to throttle cable. Either none of this has been addressed by the manufacturer or the repairs so far have not been sufficient if it is still so common. On behalf of all Stelvio owners I demand these recalls and issues be addressed in a timely manner. This is going to cost us additional grief, safety issues, and repair costs. The biggest being my safety and my family's safety when we are riding in this vehicle, the acceleration issues are very noticeable and are getting worse. The symptoms are -exactly-what is described online and also as part of the recall. I don't even have the option to get it fixed there is no parts to fix available. This is a very nice vehicle, but this is getting old not having repairs done and the dealers running out of parts etc. Waiting months and months for repairs. - Fiat, Alfa Romeo and their dealerships do not seem to be taking this seriously - at all, they should have pride in their products like the owners do when we buy them. I want my Stelvio to be the best it can be, fully safe, and fully functional.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Car stalled on highway leaving my life at risk and dealer has no date to repair fuel line
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while driving 45 MPH and merging onto the highway, the vehicle entered Low Power Mode, forcing the contact to pull over to the side of the road. The contact then drove to the residence, where the vehicle was turned off and restarted, and the messages "Service Engine" and "Service Throttle Control" were displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the fuel system was bled. The dealer later informed the contact that the high-pressure fuel pump had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the high-pressure fuel pump and the fuel delivery module (FDM) were replaced in July 2025. The contact related the failure to the recall. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the contact pressed the accelerator pedal and the steering wheel erroneously turn to the right and the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration causing the driver to loose control of the steering and crash into a highway post. During the crash the driver sustained a concussion do to the air bag deployment and the front passenger sustained a fractured right arm. Both occupants of the vehicle were transported and treated at the hospital. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified failure. The local dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 85,000.
Regarding a recall I was told the remedy would be available by now vin number Zasfaknn9j7b75385
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
My vehicle has been subject of multiple recalls, however the current recall is a significant one and has been pending for months with no end in sight. I am concerned The manufacturer and dealers are not taking this seriously and the delay is causing additional damage to my vehicle. Additionally quickly googling my vehicle will show that it has fuel pump and acceleration jerking and lag issues that are extremely, extremely, common and troubling. I am also still having the service engine soon issues described in recalls and other forums related to throttle cable. Either none of this has been addressed by the manufacturer or the repairs so far have not been sufficient if it is still so common. On behalf of all Stelvio owners I demand these recalls and issues be addressed in a timely manner. This is going to cost us additional grief, safety issues, and repair costs. The biggest being my safety and my family's safety when we are riding in this vehicle, the acceleration issues are very noticeable and are getting worse. The symptoms are -exactly-what is described online and also as part of the recall. I don't even have the option to get it fixed there is no parts to fix available. This is a very nice vehicle, but this is getting old not having repairs done and the dealers running out of parts etc. Waiting months and months for repairs. - Fiat, Alfa Romeo and their dealerships do not seem to be taking this seriously - at all, they should have pride in their products like the owners do when we buy them. I want my Stelvio to be the best it can be, fully safe, and fully functional.
My 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio was diagnosed by a certified Alfa Romeo dealer with a major engine defect involving coolant mixing with oil. The diagnosis revealed internal failure likely stemming from the oil cooler or head gasket, and the parts estimate alone was over $17,000 — not including labor. The dealer confirmed the issue but stated no recalls apply and denied warranty coverage. The car showed early signs like minor overheating and coolant loss, but no clear warning lamps or check engine lights until the issue escalated. This defect significantly increases the risk of engine failure, overheating, or loss of power while driving — posing a serious safety concern. I have since discovered multiple other owners reporting the exact same problem in Alfa Romeo forums and consumer complaint sites. The dealer has confirmed the issue but refused support. I believe this may reflect a broader design flaw affecting many vehicles and should be investigated for potential recall.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS module doesn’t work and only 2 wheels out of 4 have brakes. The car has only 55,000 miles! All 2019-2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvios have open recalls about ABS module, but mine is 2018, although the installed ABS is manufactured 2018-2023 (what includes 2019-2021 that have Recalls!). I was driving and almost killed a man who was running across the road because my brakes didn't work!!! I can't drive a car without brakes and feel safe! The problem was indicated by few independent service centers. Alfa Romeo dealer knows about this COMMON issue but doesn’t want to take responsibility for it! I’ve got warning lamps right after my brakes were broken. Not even before! The car was fully serviced on time in the dealership! BRAKE, ESC, AST, P! Also can get an invoice from the repair center if needed!
THERE WAS A ISSUE WITH MY VEHICLE TURNING ON FINE THEN ONCE I GOT DOWN THE ROAD IT STARTED TO NOT GO IT COMPLETELY STOPPED IN MID DRIVE ON ME AND THE ENGINE LIGHT AND OIL LIGHT GOING CRAZY. IT STARTED SOUNDING BAD THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING ON A 2018 THAT'S BEEN UP TO DATE ON MAINTENANCE. I TAKE THE CARE HOME PARK IT FOR A DAY THEN NEVER DAY CRANK IT UP IT CRANKS RIGHT UP AS IF IT DID NOTHING THE DAY BEFORE SOUNDS NORMAL RUNS FINE NO LIGHTS ON AT ALL BUT IT DID THIS 3 TIMES IN 3 MONTHS. SOMETHING IS DEFINITELY MALFUNCTIONING. I ALSO GOT IN A ALFA ROMEO GROUP AND 75 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLE RATHER IT BE THE CAR OR SUV OR YEAR THEY ALL HAD THE SAME ENGINE TYPE.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V510000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS) and 25V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated from 50 MPH to 40 MPH. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.
Sept. 9, 2024 - called local dealer to schedule repair. Parts were not yet available. Placed on a list for them to call when the parts were available. October 15, 2024 - called dealer again. No parts have been received. ETA unknown. Confirmed I was still on the list.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
I am reporting a safety issue with my 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio (VIN: [XXX] ). The vehicle has experienced repeated failures of critical lighting systems, including the headlights, brake lights, and turn signals, which have stopped working while driving. The issue began around 42,000 miles and occurred while the vehicle was covered under a Mopar Maximum Care warranty. There have been four repair attempts for the same issue. The problem was initially misdiagnosed as a headlight issue, but was later determined to involve the Body Control Module (BCM). I was also initially told this repair was not covered under warranty, which was later determined to be incorrect. Despite repairs, the issue has persisted. The vehicle also has an open recall with no available remedy. This creates a serious safety concern, as failure of headlights, brake lights, and turn signals increases the risk of an accident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Water discharge on the passenger side whenever the AC is switched on and the car is driving. The water leak led to electrical malfunction with electrical lights switching on even when the car is switched off or the lights switching off when the car is in motion. The water on the passenger side was a nuisance for a long time but when the electrical system went haywire, it became a safety risk especially during night driving when the lights may switch off abruptly. The water leak incident was first reported to the dealership on March 6th, 2021. We did not drive the car around much in the year due to covid. We subsequently reported the problem to dealership in March and May of 2022 (start of the summer months). The water leak continued to happen and we ignored it for a while until Aug 6th 2022 when we took a long trip and the passenger side was completely soaked. The electrical malfunction started happening sometime after. Eventually, on Sept 6th 2022, the car battery died as the lights were running throughout the night. The water leak incident has been looked by dealership and they did found dampness on the passenger side but could not recreate the issue. The car has been with dealership since Sept 7th 2022 for them to check for electrical and water leak issue. The videos of the incidents could be found here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/plin71ez82sflh3/AADR4qOJ744_dtoInw0y108Ha?dl=0
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact received notifications of NHTSA Campaign Numbers: 24V510000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS) and 25V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). However, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving 55 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that the vehicle decelerated from 50 MPH to 40 MPH. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated that the instrument cluster was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer, and it was confirmed that there was no warranty coverage on the vehicle for the failure. The dealer informed the contact about a seat belt recall that was completed, but the initial failure was not repaired. The contact stated that after refueling, the fuel light illuminated two days later. The contact stated that the vehicle also stalled while driving. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the interior lights were inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to respond while switching from Sport Mode to Economy Mode. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. Additionally, the contact stated that the Engine Stop/Start system was no longer operable while at a complete stop. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he noticed a burning coolant odor, which increased while at a complete stop. The contact also stated that he noticed a water leak on the front passenger's side floor and a moldy odor after the vehicle had been in the rain. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V636000 (Electrical System, Engine, and Engine Cooling) and to another unknown recall. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated the vehicle lost functionality with the radio and the phone control. The contact stated that the front wipers became inoperable. The START/STOP function was also inoperable. The contact also stated that the heating and air condition controls and the backup camera were inoperable. The contact became aware that water was pooling inside the bottom of the liftgate while opened. The Auto START/STOP indicator light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The contact was informed that the backup camera connections and the electrical wiring harnesses were corroded. The contact referenced NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V203000 (Structure) as a possible solution; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,293.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romero. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced and repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V205000. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph, the windshield wipers engaged without being activated, and there were unknown safety warning lights flashing on the dash, and the automatic starter was not working. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the body control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there is a two-year warranty on the repair. The manufacturer provided no further assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 54,500.
Body control module While driving in rain, received multiple incorrect messages on dash screen, horn began to beep. Unable to turn horn off until parking and disconnecting the negative battery cable. Had body control module replaced. Two weeks later, driving in rain: multiple warning lights appeared. Monitor said passenger and driver doors were open-they were not. Gas gauge became 'unavailable,' displaying only empty tank. Lights flickered on and off in cabin. Dealer said this was never a recall issue. Alfa says it was but the recall 'expired, so not eligible to fix' This is recall number U36. Obviously still a problem.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
IT IS DISGUSTING THAT AUTO MANUFACTURERS DON'T GIVE A SPARE OR RUN FLATS ON A CAR TODAY. I WAS ON I95 WITH MY FAMILY WHEN MY NEW ONE DAY OLD CAR HAD BLOWOUT AT 10PM AT NIGHT. ALFA ROADSIDE TOOK 6 HOURS TO FIND US. THIS IS SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE I WAS STUCK SIDE OF THE BLACK DARKEN HIGHWAY WITHOUT SPARE. THE SEMI TRUCK PASSING 12 INCHES AWAY FROM MY CAR DOING 80+ MPH. HOW IS IT IN 2019 MANUFACTURERS CAN SELL A CAR WITHOUT A SPARE OR EVEN FLARES. THE WORST PART ALFA OFFER SPARE AS OPTION BUT SINCE MY CAR CAME WITHOUT IT I CAN'T ORDER A SPARE NO WHERE. ALFA DON'T OFFER TO SENT A SPARE AFTERMARKET. TIRE RACK TOLD ME THAT THEY DON'T HAVE OR ARE AVAILABLE SPARES THAT FIT MY ALFA STELVIO. A SPARE TIRE KIT WEIGH 20 LBS AND HOW MUCH GAS CAN A PERSON SAVE. I WAS TOLD IT IS MPG THING. I AM IN THE DOGHOUSE WITH MY FAMILY AND I HAVE TO BUY ANOTHER FULL SIZE WHEEL AND TIRE TO USED AS MY SPARE. THE CAR HAS 20 INCH WHEELS AND TAKES UP 1/2 TRUNK SPACE. IF I PUT ON ANOTHER ALFA SMALLER RIM LIKE 18 TO SAVE SPACE I WAS TOLD BY MANUFACTURERS MY WARRANTY IS VOID! I HAVING MY COUSIN IN ITALY SENT ME A DONUT SPARE FOR EMERGENCY. THE SPARE IS FROM ALFA ROMEO STELVIO TI MADE IN ITALY WHEEL THAT HAS SPARES INCLUDED AND SELL AFTERMARKET. THE DEALER SAYS IF I USED I LOSE MY WARRANTY. SAFETY ISSUES BEING STRUCK ON I95 WITHOUT A SPARE. HOW CAN NHTSA MAKE MANUFACTURERS GET AWAY WITH THIS IN 2019. SPARES ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN ANY OTHER SAFETY FEATURES
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
Driving on highway lost full power of engine. Throttle body control message came on . Then steering wheel started to stiffen up . Terrible experience and scary lucky was able to gain control on vehicle and pullover . Reading reviews after getting this vehicle 2 years later that it’s common in most car of this make and very unsafe . Dealer doesn’t help and warranty is crap leaving you going to the dealer several times spending dollars on the same safety issue .
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .