2018 ALFA ROMEO STELVIO Complaints

Service electronic throttle control keeps going off and car goes into Lino mode and cannot go over a certain speed causing me to not be able to drive it

I have had several incidents with my Alfa Romero Stelvio losing power while driving, This problem has been going on for quite some time, i have had several parts changed out with the same results a few weeks or months later. I took the vehicle to Jim Ellis Alfa Romero for repairs and told them the vehicle was losing power while driving and was told that this problem has occurred on several Stelvios. I left my car with Jim Ellis and a few days later I was told all was good. I didn’t even get a mile away before I loss power again. I brought it back to Jim Ellis and left it again and a few hours later they called and said that the Stelvio needed a new turbocharger that would be $4000 plus installation fees. How is this possible if you told me you had taken care of the issue, and the car didn't even make it a mile.

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.

Please see the following reoccurring problems with the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, Auto on/off failure has failed 3 times resulting in the check engine light coming on and the vehicle citing service engine. Additionally, the DNA selector doesn’t work when this occurs. The vehicle has been inspected by Southern Alfa Romeo of Norfolk. However, the system reset itself before they inspected. As such they found no evidence of failure. However, within a week the system is back in fault mode rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive. I’ve noticed on several blogs that others owners are having the same problems with no relief from their service provider. Request a NHTSA review of this problem with a solution for correction. Thank you!!!

In December of 2023, the Ground cable/front body harness was melted due to the main battery ground cable from the transmission to the body being corroded and broken. This could have potentially caused car to catch fire. There was no warning light, the car simply refused to start and I could smell something burn. The car is barely 5 years old and driven for 50k miles. The car was last serviced in September/October of 2023 (where this strap issue was not identified, since this is something that is not serviced or expected to break) and has been in no accidents. I strongly believe that this is a faulty piece that alfa Romeo stelvios of that year have. I have heard of atleast 2 other stelvios with the same issue (after a simple google search on forums), however have really never experienced this issue in any other cars I have owned or known off- specially within the first 4-5 years. When I contacted Alfa, I was told that I am out of warranty, so they cannot help me. However, I wanted to raise this safety concern with them and requested if I could talk to anyone else and that request was denied. I am not reporting this because of I want reimbursement of the cost, but primarily so Alfa can investigate and perform a recall as a corrective action.

While I was driving the car suddenly stopped sending gas when pressing the gas pedal and put the can a neutral mode. This was the second time this happened. Luckily the first time I was in my neighborhood going slow. The second time was in the middle of the night pitch black on a busy road. I was stranding the middle of the road and almost got hit. I was so fortunate a cop was driving by an helped. This has been extremely unsettling as I have a 1 year old. Luckily he was in the car but I can’t imagine if I was driving with him on a highway. The first time this happened I went to the gas station to fill a gas station to fill up a gas tank and added it my car. The car said I had a quarter tank when it stalled, but when I added the gas I was nearly empty. I was able to drive it to Alfa and they said I didn’t need a need a new fuel pump but don’t run it under 1/4 tank. I bought the car with 30k miles and apparently the fuel pump was already replaced under warranty. The second time this happened was in Dec 2023 and my car won’t get looked at until Jan 30th, 2024. I read up and there are other complaints of the same issue. This has to be corrected or someone will secretly injured. I’m scared to drive the car and will ultimately sell it because it is NOT safe.

Was driving home with my fourteen year old daughter and started to smell a burning smell and began to lose power in the vehicle. Warning light came on that oil level was low. Pulled over as safely as I could on a busy four lane road and opened the hood and saw engine oil and coolant mixed and sprayed all over the engine. Car had never leaked any type of fluids prior to this incident. Had the car towed to one repair shop and was told it would need a new engine. Had it towed to an Alfa Romeo dealer two hours away and was told it needed a new engine too. Initial quote from dealer for a new engine and labor was $22,000. This car is barely worth $20,000. Third party warranty (I bought car used from a dealer) will only pay for gaskets. After weeks of warranty company asking for tear downs of engine and other things, price has risen to $35,000! While reasearching engine malfunctions on Alfa Romeo Stelvios, I have come across many people with similar sitations as mine. Engine replacements at 30,000, 40,000, 50,000 miles. My car has 39,000 miles. This should never happen to car with such low mileage. Called Alfa Romeo customer care and was told that previous owner was not compliant with maintenance and warranty was voided. How do they know that for sure? Just because you don't get your vehicle serviced at the dealership, your noncompliant? I believe that this needs to be looked at from a safety perspective that Alfa Romeo is not doing. During loss of power on busy road and only being able to go 10 mph, we could have easily been rear ended. This total abuse of negligence from Alfa Romeo to recall these engines and fix them, to the warranty company not paying for the engine replacement/repairs, and to the dealer that is charging this extreme amount of money for this. Car insurance will not pay for this as this is mechanical and was not involved in a collision.

When attempting to start the car using the push-button on the steering wheel, the engine did not crank and several system alerts were visible on the display (no warnings prior to this). Smoke began billowing from under the hood and left-front wheel arch after a few seconds. It was towed to the shop, the problem reproduced, and found to have a corroded main grounding wire going from the transmission to the frame. It is clear that the ground wire, which is not insulated or covered in any way, was not sufficiently grounding the electrical systems. Thus, the path of least resistance was the smaller gauge wiring in the electrical harness to include the ABS and starting/charging circuits which melted under the higher load. The extent of the damage is still being evaluated at the repair facility. This defect in the electrical circuitry could, at worst, have caused a fire, but thankfully just left us stranded. It is believed this problem could occur even while driving creating a serious condition and potential for an accident or injury.

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 .

Engine blew at a bit over 40000 miles. There were regular oil changes and service done. The car of this quality and price should never have the engine blown at this amount of miles. It happened right after oil change and inspection, which confirmed everything was fine with the vehicle.