2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio: common problems and reliability
· 949One of the worst Stelvio years.
One of the Alfa Romeo Stelvio years to avoid. All Stelvio years
130 owner complaints, most about electrical system. 11 recalls.
Should I buy a 2018 Stelvio?The 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio has 130 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 11 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are electrical system and engine. Owners most often flag electrical warning lights and gremlins traced to a weak or failing factory battery.
Safety record for the 2018 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Stelvio years only. How we score it
Is 2018 a good year for the Stelvio?
Across the 5 Stelvio model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (2022) to 130 (2018). With 130 complaints, the 2018 Stelvio sits above the model's median of 7.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2018 Stelvio
engine and engine cooling:cooling system:hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Campaign 18V635000Chrysler (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.
electrical system:wiring
Campaign 18V636000Chrysler (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.
electrical system: instrument cluster/panel
Campaign 19V551000Alfa 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.
forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control
Campaign 19V148000FCA 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.
Show 7 more recalls
service brakes, hydraulic
Campaign 17V823000Chrysler (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.
equipment:electrical
Campaign 18V205000Chrysler (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.
structure:body:hatchback/liftgate
Campaign 18V203000Chrysler (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.
visibility:windshield wiper/washer:motor
Campaign 18V147000Chrysler (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."
service brakes, hydraulic
Campaign 23V382000Chrysler (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.
air bags:frontal
Campaign 24V510000Chrysler (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.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 25V586000Chrysler (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.
What owners report on the 949 Stelvio
Owners of this generation are overwhelmingly enthusiastic about how the Stelvio drives, looks, and feels, with many describing it as the most fun-to-drive SUV they have owned and praising its sporty dynamics and distinctive styling.
- Very frequentElectrical warning lights and gremlins traced to a weak or failing factory battery
- Very frequentDealership maintenance and parts pricing considered excessive (filters, fluids, brakes)
- RecurrentCondensation in tail light assemblies triggering warning lights and FCW deactivation
- RecurrentBrake pads and rotors wearing quickly, especially rears due to torque vectoring
- RecurrentWater intrusion/leaks on rainy days leading to electrical problems
Owner insights for the 949 Stelvio. Read the full 949 owner report.
Typical used price
Used Stelvio listings typically run $17,773–$26,284.
Other Stelvio model years
Compare every Stelvio year side by side to see how 2018 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Stelvio against its rivals
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