VehicleVerdict

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 201 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 19.1 times the median Stelvio year — the 2018 model ranks #1 of 8 Stelvio years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across fuel system (43), electrical system (42), and engine (40), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

201

NHTSA complaints

11

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other Stelvio years?

Stelvio NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted201 complaints2018: 201 complaints2019: 48 complaints2020: 33 complaints2021: 9 complaints2022: 10 complaints2023: 11 complaints2024: 4 complaints2025: 0 complaints
Stelvio NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Stelvio years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Fuel System4321%
Electrical System4221%
Engine4020%
Other178%
Transmission115%
Brakes115%
Speed Control94%
Airbags63%
Seat Belts52%
Lighting52%
Body & Structure42%
Driver Assistance31%
Visibility & Wipers31%
Steering10%
Tires & Wheels10%

Does the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio have recalls?

11 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V586000Fuel SystemSeptember 9, 2025 · 53,849 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia and 2018-2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles. The fuel pump may fail, which can result in a loss of fuel flow and loss of drive power.

Consequence

A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed October 7, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated July 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 93C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 16, 2025. The information in your report suggests that Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) may have been aware of this issue more than five business days before filing a report with NHTSA. Please be reminded that under Federal law, this agency is to be notified of all safety defect and/or noncompliance decisions within five business days. 49 CFR 573.6 Significant civil penalties can be assessed for this violation.

24V510000Seat BeltsJuly 3, 2024 · 337,128 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia, 2018-2025 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, 2019-2023 Fiat 500X, Jeep Renegade, and 2024 Fiat 500E vehicles. A seat belt buckle switch sensor may be improperly connected, preventing the front seat air bag from deploying as intended.

Consequence

A front seat air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will repair the connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning August 27, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 82B.

23V382000BrakesMay 30, 2023 · 719 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia and 2018-2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles equipped with carbon ceramic matrix brakes. During certain driving maneuvers, the brake system may exert an excessive clamp force that may fracture the rotor, decreasing the brake performance.

Consequence

An unexpected decrease in brake performance increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will update the brake system module (BSM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 68A.

19V551000Electrical SystemJuly 25, 2019 · 21,914 units

Defect

Alfa Romeo (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Giulia and Stelvio vehicles. The Body Control Module (BCM) may indicate an inaccurate fuel level that displays higher than the actual amount.

Consequence

The vehicle may be operated without enough fuel in the tank causing a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Alfa Romeo will notify owners, and dealers will update the BCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Alfa Romeo customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Alfa Romeo's number for this recall is V84.

19V148000Driver AssistanceMarch 1, 2019 · 19,114 units

Defect

FCA US LLC (Alfa Romeo) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and 2017-2019 Giulia vehicles. The Brake System Module (BSM) software may prevent the driver from disabling the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) after the traction control system detects a specific wheel slip.

Consequence

The driver's inability to deactivate the ACC can increase the risk of crash.

Remedy

Alfa Romeo has notified owners, and dealers will update the BSM software, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact Alfa Romeo customer service 1-800-853-1403. The Alfa Romeo number for this recall is V27.

18V636000Electrical SystemSeptember 14, 2018 · 34,357 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia and 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles, equipped with 2.0L engines. These engines may misfire causing the catalytic converter to overheat, possibly resulting in damage to the nearby wiring and engine components.

Consequence

Heat damage to the engine compartment wiring or components can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles for diagnostic codes, and update the engine control module software, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-844-253-2872. Chrysler's number for this recall is UA4.

18V635000EngineSeptember 14, 2018 · 674 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio vehicles. The engine cooling hose may have inadequate webbing material allowing a coolant leak.

Consequence

A loss of coolant can cause the engine to overheat and the vehicle to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the coolant hose, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U99.

18V205000Electrical SystemMarch 29, 2018 · 12,595 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles. Water may leak into the body control module and its connectors, causing corrosion. This corrosion can cause illumination of one or more malfunction indicator lamps, a loss of windshield wiper function, a loss of exterior lighting, a loss of horn function and/or unintended turn signal activation.

Consequence

Electrical malfunctions such as windshield wipers that may not work in the rain and lights that may not work at night increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install additional sealing protection to prevent water from entering the body control module and its connectors. The recall began on April 25, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U36.

18V203000Body & StructureMarch 29, 2018 · 12,595 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles. Water may Leak into the wiring connectors for the rear liftgate and the liftgate-opening switch, causing corrosion.

Consequence

Corrosion at the connectors may cause the liftgate to unintentionally open while moving at speeds of less than 3 miles per hour, allowing cargo to fall out of the vehicle, creating a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install additional protection against water leaking into the liftgate wiring connectors and switch, free of charge. The recall began April 25, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U34.

18V147000Visibility & WipersMarch 6, 2018 · 1,505 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles. The software for the wiper motor may incorrectly interpret the wiper motor as overheating, limiting the windshield wipers to operating only at the low-speed setting. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 104, "Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems."

Consequence

Limited wiper function can reduce the driver's visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the wiper motor, free of charge. The recall began on April 25, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U24.

17V823000BrakesDecember 20, 2017 · 216 units

Defect

Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio vehicles. The braking system on these vehicles may have been filled with contaminated brake fluid, possibly damaging the system and affecting its performance.

Consequence

A reduction in braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Alfa Romeo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the braking system, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 1, 2018. Owners may contact Alfa Romeo customer service at 1-844-253-2872. Chrysler's number for this recall is T84.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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 unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · October 15, 2025

AFTER FUELING UP THE FUEL TANK, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT OUT FROM THE VEHICLE'S HOOD. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ALERTED THERE WAS ANY ISSUE FROM THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD INDICATOR/WARNING LIGHTS. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER ON THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER AND THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 12, 2018 · fire

AFTER FUELING UP THE FUEL TANK, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT OUT FROM THE VEHICLE'S HOOD. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ALERTED THERE WAS ANY ISSUE FROM THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD INDICATOR/WARNING LIGHTS. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER ON THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER AND THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 12, 2018 · fire

During the recent rainfall the front passenger side suffered a massive water leak, causing that side of the cabin to flood possibly causing water damage as well. This happened while the car was stationary and also while in motion. This also cause electrical failure to multiple components of the car…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 21, 2021

AFTER FUELING UP THE FUEL TANK, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON THE HIGHWAY AND SMOKE BEGAN TO EMIT OUT FROM THE VEHICLE'S HOOD. THE DRIVER WAS NOT ALERTED THERE WAS ANY ISSUE FROM THE VEHICLE'S DASHBOARD INDICATOR/WARNING LIGHTS. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER ON THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER AND THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · August 12, 2018 · fire

2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio — common questions

Is the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 201 complaints put the 2018 model at #1 of 8 Stelvio years. It is one of the Stelvio years to avoid.

What are the most common 2018 Stelvio problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are fuel system (43 complaints), electrical system (42 complaints), engine (40 complaints).

Does the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Alfa Romeo Stelvio years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Stelvio years to avoid are 2018, 2019, 2020. The cleanest record among Stelvio years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.