There are 12 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvioin NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I experienced an unexpected Loss of Motive Power (LOMP) event. Late afternoon traffic was fast, estimate 75-80 MPH. I attempted to change lanes get to the righthand shoulder and was very nearly involved in a high-speed collision with a semi-petroleum tank truck. He applied his brakes to avoid hitting me and started to jackknife, but regained control and continued. The truck missed by inches. At this point I had NO remaining power and was essentially coasting until I managed to cross the remaining two lanes of traffic to the shoulder emergency lane. I reset the error codes and continued home with no further occurrences. The incident produced the following warning lamps: Electronic Throttle Control Failure, Start/Stop System Failure and Check Engine, then a few seconds later the Limp Mode/LOMP event. I carry an OBD Scanning Tool with me to be able to clear the error codes when I encounter them. They are typically a cascading event that can result in LOMP. I have experienced a total of 26 of these error lamp events since 4/19/22 which have resulted in 3 LOMP's. The remaining 23 events I was able to reset before the inevitable LOMP. This is the first LOMP that nearly caused a fatal accident, the remainder I was able to safely find a place to stop to perform the resets. There is an active Manufacturer Recall Number93C, NHTSA Recall Number25V-586 that may cover this issue. The Recall Status is "Incomplete, remedy not yet available." The Alfa Romeo dealership has noted the P0191-00 error and replaced the fuel pressure sensor on 2/23/23, but this did not solve the problem. Owner's forums, and now the Manufacturer/NHTSA recall have reported this as a known problem, so I have been clearing my own error codes in order to at least have a car to drive. In my mind, this nuisance has now become a potentially very dangerous condition.
I had my radiator fail, lost all fluid and had to be towed. The car has 73,000 miles on it, is well maintained and garage kept. Alfa has sent the dealerships a Service Bulletin item about the issue, but never contacted the consumers about fixing it proactively. My son broke down on a highway, was able to limp the vehicle to a parking lot where the car had to be towed. The repair was done by Alfa and cost almost $3,000 No issues showed up prior. Once the fail happened the car was
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.
I have had a sudden loss of coolant causing the engine to overheat. I have never had a leaking issue. But after research I’ve learned this is a common problem with this vehicle. My vehicle began to lose power causing the car to lose acceleration in traffic causing other vehicles to suddenly avoid hitting me and others. The problem has been confirmed.
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!!!
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.
It's well known by Alfa Romeo/Chrystler, Stelvio owners and certified Alfa Romeo mechanics that the O-ring in the oil send/receive/turbo lines is faulty. Spewing oil into the engine compartment and engine components and accessories i.e., belts, brake components creating a major liability for Alfa Romeo. The smoke from burning oil is overwhelming and visible inside the cabin throughout the interior of this car. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD TO ALL ALFA ROMEO STELVIO OWNERS WITH THE 2018 MODEL.
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.
I orchard my car used, but still under warranty. Within a week it has shut down with a service engine error. I was told it was the power control module (PCM) both times. There's no logical reason, I know of for a car with only 40K miles on it to have an engine failure such as the PCM. Both times both dealerships stated that the game was coming from the solenoids and having a misfire caused by the PCM.
ALFA ROMEO USA IS IN MY OPINION HIDING A CONSTANT PROBLEM THEY HAVE WITH STELVIOS. THE OIL TURBO LINE HAS A FAULTY ORING AND LEAKS OIL ONTO ENGINE WHICH CAUSES SMOKE THAT CAN NOT BE HEALTHY TO BREATHE IN. I HAVE TALKED TO SEVERA ALFA DEALERS IN SERVICE DEPTS AND THEY CONFIRM TO ME THAT THEY HAVE FIXED NUMEROUS STELVIOS WITH THIS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A NATIONAL RECALL FOR REPAIR AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER. I TUSUALLY HAPPENS CLOSE TO WARRANTIES EXPIRATION NEAR 50K MILES OR SHORTLY AFTER.
ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2018 WHOLE COOLER ENGINE FLUID WAS FLUSHED INSIDE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE CAR. THE CAR WAS PURCHASED ON 09-19-2018. THE RECALL HAD BEEN SEEN SINCE 09-14-2018. THE CAR WAS SOLD TO US WITH A SAFETY RECALL WITH SAME VIN NUMBER
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026