Build quality, electrical system and brake issues among the top complaints received by the NHTSA from vehicle owners
The 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a luxury SUV that’s supposed to provide high-end class and plenty of performance. In fact, the automaker claims it is “crafted to conquer.” However, customers seem to have trouble with this model’s electrical system, service brakes and structure, leading to a long line of people having buyer’s remorse.
A vehicle’s electrical system is designed to run just about everything. So, when there is a problem, drivers are sure to feel it.
Here’s one example from an NHTSA review. “I purchased my car in Jan. 2020. On June 21, 2020, I awoke to my alarm going off. I tried to use my key fob to turn that alarm off and it did not work. The alarm stopped and I had to use the hard key to enter my car. The car would not start and I had to get a jump from AAA. The car was new with less than 3000 miles on it. I took it to the dealer to from a diagnostic and they kept it for 5 days. They had to replace the BCM. The BCM was listed as problem in prior year versions of this vehicle. This appears to be a continuing problem with this vehicle. The vehicle was parked and was not disturbed when the alarm went off.”
It turns out that there are more electrical problems with the Stelvio than initially expected. In fact, there is a recall, NHTSA Campaign Number 19V551000 that affects more than 20,000 models. It states that the fuel gauge could read higher than what’s actually in the tank due to a detective BCM. If a customer runs out of fuel, it could cause the vehicle to stall. At this point, the only thing this model is ready to “conquer” is the service department that it plans to take over.
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Engine | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Electrical System | |
| Steering |
Additionally, there seem to be troubles with the service brakes, which could lead to further problems.
Another NHTSA complaint states, “The contact owned a 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number 19V148000 (Forward Collision Avoidance, Service Brakes, Hydraulic). However, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the parts were not available for the recall remedy. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that the parts were not available. The contact had experienced a failure. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to engage causing the front of the vehicle to crash into another vehicle without warning. The air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The contact had a minor injury to his right shoulder but medical attention was not sought. The other driver of the vehicle sustained unknown injuries and it was unknown if medical attention was required. The vehicle was totaled and towed on three occasions to 2 collision centers and a salvage lot. The same dealer was contacted about the recall parts that were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure.”
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As a premium vehicle, one would think that the Stelvio would be built in a way that all problems were avoided, but that’s not the case.
Read this Edmunds review. “Right before its 2nd year and subsequent turn it, it fell apart – dead battery, water leaked into the passenger door frying the electrical system and destroying the speaker – after 2 weeks in the shop… it died again… same problem… 2 more weeks in the shop… I just told them to keep it and good riddance!”
When examining how Alfa Romeo constructed this vehicle, it’s clear to see that a lot of corners have been cut. NHTSA Campaign Number 18V635000 states that some models have an engine cooling hose attached that contains inadequate webbing material. This defect could lead to a coolant leak, which not only allows the engine to overheat, but might also create an engine that stalls. It seems like whichever way this vehicle is examined, it appears that Alfa Romeo wants people to get into an accident. At this point, the Stelvio is “crafted to conquer” the desire to drive any Alfa Romeo in the future.
Think you have a lemon? Sit back and let the experts work out your lemon case at no cost to you. The law makes Alfa Romeo pay legal fees. You may be able to get your lemon out of your life. Every year, auto manufacturers buy back, replace or pay cash settlements to thousands of ‘lemon’ owners like you.
Brian Jones spent more than 30 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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I’ve purchased not one but two 2018 Alfa Romero Stelvio I wanted to believe the first one just came from a bad batch cause this was my dream car but apparently they are all a bad batch. Thank the lord for the 7 day like it or return it policy at the dealerships I purchased them from or I would have been stuck with a lemon. At this point they should just recall the whole batch
The engine light came on within 1-2 days of my purchase with several other service lights as well.
electrical system concerns, battery issues, also well documented. Salesman says he never heard about it, service manager says yes, they all have heard about it.
I was leaving Walmart in my 2018 alfa Romero selvio and I tapped the brake and my vehicle accelerated into traffic causing a huge accident and all of my air bags to deploy. Leaving me burned on up and down the left side of my body