Electrical complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The back up camera has failed to display on the radio screen when the vehicle is placed in reverse on multiple occasions. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has poor rear visibility due to a small rear window placed at a relatively shallow angle making the backup camera a necessary safety feature to safely operate the vehicle. The problem was reported to the dealer as part of another issue related to the radio locking up / rebooting due to software issues with a telematic module. Sometimes the radio will display an error message immediately when the car starts and then go to a black screen and sometimes the issue happens without warning. Turning off the vehicle and letting it sit will sometimes resolve the issue. I have offered to provide video evidence to the dealer and manufacturer but was told it was not necessary. The radio was replaced but the issue persists after the radio replacement.
Leasing car since November 11, 2023. Car has been in service four times for various problems regarding engine light on, throttle problems, gas emission problems, headlight not working, heater not working, I am very anxious and fearful of driving car. Dealership has had car in for service more than I have had car in my possession.
The contact owns a 2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated that while driving on two occasions at undisclosed speeds, the check engine, oil, and the Automatic START/STOP System Unavailable warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer twice; however, on the first occasion, the failure was not duplicated. During the second visit, the contact was informed that the coolant was mixing into the engine oil, which caused the engine failure. The contact was informed that several unstated parts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
The gear shifter broke. The button on the back that you compress in order to trigger a button inside of the shifter, broke off and then the button inside got stuck. I was not able to shift gears and even though there was no other issue with the vehicle, I was stuck in a parking lot blocking other people's ability to move around me. It creates a safety hazard by not being able to shift gears to move the vehicle out of harm's way or even to be able to be towed in a safe manner. The tow truck driver had to climb under my vehicle and find a way to put the vehicle into neutral because the gear shifter would not engage. No to the other questions. I sat for six hours waiting for a tow truck to come because the first one that was dispatched was not able to help due to the specific circumstances. From reading other online forums, this does seem to be a recurring issue with Alfa Romeo's.
The contact owns a 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated that the vehicle was unintendedly stopping and starting. While driving at 15 MPH, the vehicle shut off. The vehicle was jump-started. The driver was able to continue driving. The contact had the battery replaced at an independent mechanic. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed that the battery was not operating properly. The ABW warning light was illuminated. While pulling into the fuel station, the vehicle shut off. The vehicle was jump-started, and the contact drove to the local dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V586000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.
A corroded faulty ground strap under the car, which is connected to the transmission caused the engine wiring harness to overload a smaller ground wire in the wheel well, then continued to melt other sections of the main engine wiring harness when trying to start the car. This is only a $200 part, but caused $6k+ of damages calling for a labor intensive job of replacing the entire engine wiring harness. The manufacturer does not provide any information on this to the owner as a maintenance issue or something to keep an eye on to prevent this issue. It's obviously a defect.
I own a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio (VIN: [redacted] ) with approximately 102,000 miles. The vehicle recently experienced an electrical issue caused by a failed ground strap - a known problem in these vehicles that is widely reported by other owners. After the vehicle became inoperable, I observed smoke and visible signs of burned or heat-damaged wiring in multiple areas under the hood, including ground wires not located near the main strap and crumbling insulation on the ABS wiring in the front wheel wells. The vehicle was towed to an authorized Alfa Romeo dealership, where the ground strap was replaced. However, the dealer did not inspect or document the other visibly damaged wiring, despite my specific request and description of the safety issue. They claimed the vehicle showed no error codes and was safe to drive. …
The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the accelerator pedal travelled down to the floorboard, and the vehicle stalled. The ESC warning light, the check engine warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. Additionally, the message "Service Engine Soon" and other unknown messages were displayed. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, and the contact drove to the residence. Additionally, the contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V510000 (Air Bags, Seat Belts); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. …
Related recalls (2)
Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel
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.
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.
Electrical system › Wiring
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Which Alfa Romeo Stelvio years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2018 (42), 2019 (8) and 2020 (6) model years. Electrical complaints make up 32% of all complaints for the 2018.
Is there a recall for Alfa Romeo Stelvio electrical problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 19V-551 (instrument cluster/panel, Jul 25, 2019); 18V-636 (wiring, Sep 14, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Alfa Romeo Stelvio electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles; 63% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the instrument cluster/panel (1 mentions).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.