NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump can fail, stopping fuel from reaching the engine and causing a loss of driving power.
This page covers 16 recalls, 107 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
19–24 mpg combined
9.8–12.4 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
The dominant complaint pattern for the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio centers on the fuel system and engine. Owners frequently report stalling while driving, the vehicle cutting out unexpectedly and sometimes restarting on its own, along with check-engine lights and fuel pump failures. Several owners describe being stranded or catching the problem only after a diagnostic flagged the fuel pump as the culprit. Engine complaints overlap closely, with owners reporting power loss and unexpected shutoffs during normal driving. A secondary thread involves lighting failures: multiple owners describe headlights, brake lights, and turn signals going out while the vehicle is in use, with some noting the problem surfaced around 40,000 miles. Parts availability comes up repeatedly across complaints, with owners noting extended waits for replacement components at dealerships.
107
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
1
With Injuries
By System
The 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio has 16 recalls, the most serious involving brake failures: carbon ceramic rotors can crack under hard braking, contaminated brake fluid can extend stopping distances, and a failing fuel pump can cut engine power without warning.
Several recalls affect the engine and cooling system. A coolant hose can leak and cause the engine to overheat and stall, and on Quadrifoglio models a separate hose carries the same risk. On 2.0L models, engine misfires can overheat the catalytic converter and damage nearby wiring, raising the risk of fire or stall.
Water intrusion drives multiple electrical problems. Corrosion in the body control module can knock out windshield wipers, exterior lights, and the horn, or trigger unintended turn signals. A related software issue causes the fuel gauge to read higher than the actual level, and wiper motor software can limit wipers to low speed only in heavy rain. Corroded liftgate wiring can cause the rear hatch to open on its own at low speeds, dropping cargo onto the road.
On the safety equipment side, a seat belt buckle sensor may be improperly connected, preventing the front airbag from deploying in a crash. Adaptive cruise control software can also make the system impossible to turn off after a wheel slip event is detected.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump can fail, stopping fuel from reaching the engine and causing a loss of driving power.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front seat belt buckle switch sensor may be improperly connected, which can prevent the front seat air bag from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair the sensor connection at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The brake system may apply too much force during certain driving moves, which can crack the carbon ceramic rotors and reduce braking ability.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the brake system module software at no cost to restore proper brake function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Body Control Module may display a fuel level that is higher than the actual amount in the tank.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Body Control Module software at no cost to correct the fuel level display.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Brake System Module software may lock the Adaptive Cruise Control on after the traction control detects wheel slip, preventing the driver from turning it off.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Brake System Module software at no cost to restore ACC disable functionality.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The 2.0L engine may misfire, causing the catalytic converter to overheat and potentially damage nearby wiring and engine components.
What the fix does
Dealers will check for diagnostic codes and update the engine control module software at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine cooling hose may not have enough reinforcing material, which could cause coolant to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the coolant hose at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The coolant hose connecting the radiator to the engine may develop a leak, causing the engine to overheat and lose power.
What the fix does
The dealer will replace the defective coolant hose.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can enter and corrode the body control module and A-pillar connector, causing the check engine light to turn on, and loss of wipers, exterior lights, and horn function, plus unwanted turn signal activation.
What the fix does
Dealers will add sealing protection around the A-pillar sheet metal joint where it meets the HVAC box to block water from entering.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can leak into the body control module and its connectors, causing corrosion that may disable windshield wipers, exterior lights, or the horn, trigger warning lights, or cause unintended turn signal activation.
What the fix does
Dealers will install additional sealing protection around the body control module and connectors to prevent water entry.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can leak into the wiring connectors for the rear liftgate and liftgate-opening switch, causing corrosion.
What the fix does
Dealers will install additional protection against water leaking into the liftgate wiring connectors and switch.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Water can enter the rear liftgate wiring connectors and switches, causing corrosion that may trigger unintended liftgate opening and loss of cargo.
What the fix does
Dealers will add sealing protection to rear liftgate wiring connectors and switches to prevent water entry.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front windshield wipers may only operate at low speed, which can reduce driver visibility in some conditions and increase crash risk.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the wiper motor to restore proper high-speed operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The wiper motor software may falsely detect overheating and lock the wipers to low speed only, preventing high-speed operation when needed.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the wiper motor at no cost to restore full-speed wiper operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Some vehicles may have contaminated brake fluid that reduces braking performance, potentially causing longer stopping distances.
What the fix does
Your dealer will inspect the brake system and replace it if necessary.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The braking system may contain contaminated brake fluid that can damage the system and reduce braking performance.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the braking system and replace it if necessary at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
