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full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
What stands out
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Oil Change Monitor Displaying Prematurely Customers may experience the following: ● The oil change light illuminated on the dash shortly after taking delivery of the vehicle within 6,437 Km (4,000 miles) This bulletin involves resetting the oil life monitor and if necessary changing the engine oil and filter.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Before replacing any parts please refer to SOL S2518000008 if it applies to the vehicle you are working on based on a VIN search in Service Library. Before replacing this part due to Engine Light On with P1CEA (Boost Side EVAP Purge System Performance), check for: 1) Improperly connected or kinked/pinched Purge Hoses at the Ejector Tees on the Air Box or Duct. 2) Improperly connected or kinked/pinched Purge Hose at the Purge Solenoid or OBD Valve. 3) Improperly connected or kinked/pinched Purge Hose at the Intake. 4) Check for the correct Purge Hoses installation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Oil Change Monitor Displaying Prematurely Customers may experience the following: ● The oil change light illuminated on the dash shortly after taking delivery of the vehicle within 6,437 Km (4,000 miles). This bulletin involves resetting the oil life monitor and if necessary changing the engine oil and filter."
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗"Start Stop Charging Warning Lamp Illuminated On, Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) State of Charge (SOC) Inaccurate, Battery Charging Message, Presence of IBS related Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs), or Battery Warning Lamp On "
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report multiple catastrophic failures across 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvios. Engine seizure is the most severe: oil and coolant mix inside the block and spray throughout the engine compartment, requiring complete replacement costing $22,000–$35,000 at dealerships. This occurs at 30,000–50,000 miles in vehicles with no prior leak history and regular maintenance. Two owners experienced sudden loss of power on highways: one nearly hit by a semi-truck at 75–80 MPH, another stranded on a dark busy road when the fuel system abruptly stopped delivering fuel. Multiple owners report fuel pump failures where the gauge reads quarter tank but the tank is nearly empty, forcing shutdown.
Electrical cascades cause Loss of Motive Power events triggered by Electronic Throttle Control failures that cascade to Start/Stop System and Check Engine warnings. One owner documented 26 error events and 3 complete LOMP incidents over several months; fuel pressure sensor replacement did not resolve it.
Oil turbo line O-ring failures spray oil into the engine compartment and burn on hot surfaces, creating visible smoke inside the cabin—multiple Alfa dealers confirm frequent repairs of this issue. Coolant system failures (radiator and hose leaks) occur without warning in well-maintained vehicles. Electrical issues include interior lights, transmission mode selector failures, and recurring Stop/Start system faults. One vehicle experienced complete coolant flush into the passenger cabin two days after purchase.
Failure modes owners describe
Catastrophic Engine Failure (Complete Seizure)
Engine failure requiring complete replacement, typically involving oil and coolant mixing in the engine block and spraying throughout the engine compartment. Occurs without prior warning signs.
When: 30,000–50,000 miles; one case at 40,000+ miles
Symptoms owners cite: Burning smell; Loss of power while driving; Low oil warning light; Oil and coolant mixed and sprayed in engine compartment; Engine seized
Repairs/costs cited: Complete engine replacement quoted at $22,000–$35,000 at Alfa Romeo dealerships
Loss of Motive Power (LOMP) Events – Electronic Throttle Control Cascades
Sudden loss of engine power while driving, triggered by cascading electronic failures. Electronic Throttle Control failures cascade to Start/Stop System and Check Engine warnings, resulting in limp mode or total power loss. Owners clear codes manually to regain drivability.
When: Multiple events over extended period; one case with 26 error events and 3 LOMP incidents since April 2022
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power at highway speeds (75–80 MPH); Electronic Throttle Control Failure warning; Start/Stop System Failure warning; Check Engine light; Limp Mode activation; Nearly caused high-speed collision with semi-truck
Codes mentioned: P0191-00 (fuel pressure sensor code, but not root cause)
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pressure sensor replaced on 2/23/23; did not resolve the problem. Owner uses OBD scanner to clear codes manually
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Recall 25V-586 (Manufacturer Recall 93C) active but remedy not yet available; issue noted as known problem in owner forums and official NHTSA recall
Fuel Pump Malfunction – Loss of Fuel Delivery
Sudden loss of fuel delivery to engine while driving, causing engine to stall and shift into neutral. Car shows inconsistent fuel gauge readings. Occurs twice, second time on dark busy road.
When: First occurrence after ~30,000 miles (post-purchase); second occurrence December 2023 in vehicle with ~30,000 miles at purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Gas pedal unresponsive; Vehicle enters neutral mode; Sudden stalling on road; Fuel gauge reads quarter tank but tank nearly empty; Stranded in middle of busy road at night
Repairs/costs cited: Fuel pump already replaced once under warranty before current owner purchased vehicle. Alfa dealer advised not to run tank below 1/4 full but did not recommend replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer did not authorize fuel pump replacement; advised owner to manage fuel level
Oil Turbo Line O-ring Failure – Oil Spraying into Engine Compartment
Faulty O-ring in oil send/receive turbo lines leaks oil directly into the engine compartment and onto engine components. Burns on hot engine surfaces, creating visible smoke inside the cabin.
When: Typically near warranty expiration; around 50,000 miles or shortly after
Symptoms owners cite: Burning oil smell; Visible smoke from burning oil in cabin; Oil spraying into engine compartment; Oil coating belts and brake components
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple Alfa dealer service departments confirm frequent repairs of this issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No national recall issued; issue well-known to Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, and Stelvio owners but treated as out-of-warranty repair
Coolant System Failure – Radiator and Hose Leaks
Radiator failure or complete loss of coolant in cooling system. Occurs without prior warning in well-maintained vehicles and causes engine overheating.
When: Around 73,000 miles; one case at 2 days after purchase (9/21/2018, purchased 9/19/2018)
Symptoms owners cite: Complete loss of coolant fluid; Radiator failure; Engine overheating; Loss of power and acceleration; Coolant flushed inside passenger side floor
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator replacement cost ~$3,000 at Alfa dealership. Alfa sent Service Bulletin to dealerships but did not contact owners proactively
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service Bulletin issued to dealerships only; no proactive owner notification or recall
Power Control Module (PCM) Failure
PCM malfunction causing engine shutdown and solenoid misfires. Occurs in low-mileage vehicles shortly after purchase.
When: At ~40,000 miles; one case within one week of used purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Service Engine error; Engine shutdown; Solenoid misfire; No power
Repairs/costs cited: PCM replacement required; repeated failures in same vehicle suggest design defect rather than isolated component failure
Electrical System Failures – Interior Lights, Engine Stop/Start, Mode Selection
Multiple electrical system malfunctions including inoperable interior lights, failed Engine Stop/Start system, and transmission mode selector failures. Recurring issues unresolved by dealership.
When: At approximately 75,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Interior lights inoperable; Engine Stop/Start system inoperable; Transmission mode selector failure (Sport Mode to Economy Mode transition fails); Failure recurring; Burning coolant odor that increases at idle; Water leak on passenger side floor; Moldy odor after rain
Repairs/costs cited: Not diagnosed or repaired by dealership
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Related to NHTSA Campaign 18V636000 (Electrical System, Engine, and Engine Cooling) and unknown recall; not addressed by dealer or manufacturer
Auto On/Off (Stop/Start) System Failure – Recurring Service Engine Light
Engine Stop/Start system fails repeatedly, triggering Check Engine light and Service Engine warning. DNA transmission selector also fails when system malfunctions. System resets intermittently before diagnosis, making dealership verification difficult.
When: Recurring failures; system reset before dealership inspection
Symptoms owners cite: Auto on/off system failure; Check Engine light; Service Engine warning; DNA selector inoperable during failure event; Recurring failure within one week of system reset
Repairs/costs cited: Southern Alfa Romeo of Norfolk inspected vehicle; system reset before diagnosis could be completed, preventing repair
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
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
Had engine trouble with your 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 13 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 13 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 62,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Alfa Romeo/Stelvio.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.