2018 Alfa Romeo STELVIO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
128 owner complaints analyzed
11 distinct recall campaigns
44,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 49 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 41 of 128 complaints (32.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 24 | 18.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 23 | 18.0% |
| Engine operation | 19 | 14.8% |
| Braking behavior | 17 | 13.3% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 5.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 3.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 41 |
| Engine | 41 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 28 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 25 |
| Unknown Or Other | 17 |
| Power Train | 12 |
| Service Brakes | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 8 |
Electrical System: 41; Engine: 41; Fuel System, Gasoline: 28; Fuel/Propulsion System: 25; Unknown Or Other: 17; Power Train: 12; Service Brakes: 10; Vehicle Speed Control: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 20 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 20; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (20). 79 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 21 |
| 2025 | 27 |
| 2026 | 41 |
2018: 9; 2019: 7; 2020: 8; 2021: 6; 2022: 2; 2023: 7; 2024: 21; 2025: 27; 2026: 41
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 24 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 23 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 19 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11131138 · 2018-09-25 (September 25, 2018)
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 UNTIL THE FIRE/POLICE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED ON SCENE. *DT UPDATED 10/22/18*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 150 miles reported. Look up ODI 11131138 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11566380 · 2024-01-18 (January 18, 2024)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11566380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11088728 · 2018-04-17 (April 17, 2018)
I BOUGHT MY 2018 STELVIO IN DEC 2017. I THOUGHT IT WAS ODD THE CAR NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE ONLY ABOUT THREE DAYS AFTER HAVING IT - NOW AFTER RESEARCHING I'VE LEARNED MANY PEOPLE HAVE BROUGHT THEIR NEW ALFA ROMEOS IN FOR "SOFTWARE UPDATES" RELATED TO ALL THE SENSORS AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. MY CAR CURRENTLY HAS ABOUT 5K MILES ON IT AND IN THOSE MILES I HAVE EXPERIENCED ON ABOUT 3 OR 4 OCCASIONS A WARNING MESSAGE ON MY DISPLAY THAT READS "GEAR SELECTOR MALFUNCTION" OR "AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE". THE MESSAGE ALSO TELLS ME FOR BOTH ISSUES NOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11088728 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11114684 · 2018-07-30 (July 30, 2018)
WHILE I WAS DRIVING 15 MPH ON A PRIVATE ROAD, I SUDDENLY LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. I MANAGED TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP, BUT I COULDN'T ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE, SHIFT OUT OF DRIVE, OR TURN THE CAR OFF. THE ELECTRONIC SHIFTER, ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE, AND ELECTRONIC STARTER WERE ALL UNRESPONSIVE. I SAW NUMEROUS WARNING MESSAGES ON THE DASHBOARD. ONE OF THEM SAID "SERVICE SHIFTER. CONTINUE IN D. DO NOT SHIFT OR TURN ENGINE OFF", BUT IT DIDN'T TELL ME WHAT I COULD DO TO RETURN THE CAR TO A SAFE STATE. I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11114684 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11180842 · 2019-02-18 (February 18, 2019)
HELLO, I BOUGHT AN ALFA ROMEO STELVIO 2018 ON DECEMBER 31ST 2018, PRE-OWNED WITH 4800 MILES. AT 7900 MILES THE BRAKES WARNING CAME UP, I TOOK THE CAR AT THE ALFA ROMEO DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS, THEY ALSO MADE ME PAY FOR IT SAYING IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY, WHICH I DON'T UNDERSTAND BECAUSE ALFA ROMEO WARRANTY FOR THE BRAKES SERVICE IS UP TO 12,000 MILES OR 1 YEAR ( THE CAR NOW HAS 8100 MILES). WHILE AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY ALSO DID EARLIER THE 12 MONTHS SERVICE. AFTER SCANNING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM I'VE BEEN TOLD…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11180842 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11430067 · 2021-08-23 (August 23, 2021)
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 including the infotainment system, headlights, indicators, engine stop/go among others.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430067 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11102730 · 2018-06-20 (June 20, 2018)
SOMETIMES WHEN BRAKES ARE INITIATED THE ENGINE ACCELERATES AND SPEEDS UP
Owner-reported narrative. 1,116 miles reported. Look up ODI 11102730 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11110074 · 2018-07-08 (July 8, 2018)
DEPRESSED BRAKE CAME TO A STOP THEN ENGINE REVVED UP AND CAR TOOK OFF WHILE FOOT ON BRAKE HAD TO ENGAGE CAR INTO PARK TO GET IT INTO STOP VERY DANGEROUS THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES REPORTED TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN SECOND TIME I'VE REPORTED TO NHTSA CAR NOT SAFE TO DRIVE
Owner-reported narrative. 1,502 miles reported. Look up ODI 11110074 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11316818 · 2020-03-08 (March 8, 2020)
WITH ONLY 11,000 MILES THE VEHICLE HAS RECEIVED FOUR MAJOR REPAIRS, TWO INCIDENTS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. 1. BLIND SPOT MONITORING SYSTEM; ONE DAY IN REPAIR SHOP 2. NO RADIO OR NAVIGATION SYSTEM; ONE DAY IN REPAIR SHOP 3. SEIZING-UP OR LOCKING OFF RIGHT-REAR BRAKE PAD THAT GRINDER INTO BRAKE ROTOR. THIS MADE STEERING DIFFICULT. VEHICLE WAS IN REPAIR SHOP FOR ONE WEEK. 4. MALFUNCTION OF START & STOP SYSTEM, AND ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL WHILE DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR INTERSTATE TRAFFIC; NEARLY DISABLING VEHICLE INTRAFFIC. SPEED …
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11316818 at NHTSA ↗