2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia electrical problems

Filed Oct 13, 2026 · Electrical · NJ

On October 13, 2026, while driving my 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Ti home from work at night in dry weather, the vehicle’s lights began flickering and then the headlights went out while the vehicle was moving. I suddenly could not see the road and nearly had an accident. The problem is intermittent, and the lights later resumed operating, but the vehicle is unsafe to drive at night. This vehicle has a history of electrical problems involving flickering lights and loss of power. Alfa Romeo and FIAT of Maple Shade previously replaced the Body Control Module (BCM) for the same original problem, but the problem continued. The dealership later kept the vehicle for more than one month. Repair Order 032539 states that the vehicle had been towed in with “no power” and “electrical issues” and that multiple communication codes between modules were found for low voltage. The dealership replaced an aftermarket battery with an OEM Alfa Romeo battery and performed a proxy alignment, but the electrical and lighting problem has returned. The dealership also advised me that water had been entering around the windshield and affecting the vehicle’s electrical system. The windshield was subsequently replaced, but the lights continue to flicker and have now gone out while driving in dry conditions. I am concerned that moisture exposure, wiring, connectors, the replacement BCM, the charging system or another unresolved electrical defect may cause the headlights or other electrical systems to fail again while the vehicle is moving. No collision or injury occurred, but the sudden loss of headlights created an immediate risk of a crash. I am reporting this defect because the same safety-related electrical problem has continued despite replacement of the BCM, battery and windshield.

Filed Dec 10, 2024 · Electrical · NY

Alfa Romeo Giulia (and Stelvio) models have an exposed powertrain ground strap under the vehicle body. Because of the exposed position of the ground strap it is prone to corrosion which causes the fine wire braid of the ground strap to become brittle and break. Breaking of the strands of wire is further accelerated due to the acute 90 degree bend in the ground strap routing resulting in wire fatigue. When the ground strap fails it is typical the vehicle may not start. With continued attempts to start, alternate grounding paths may be sought by the current from the starting circuit. This results in substantial and expensive damage to other wiring and electrical components within the engine bay. Alfa Romeo is aware of design flaw of exposed ground strap and the resulting damage from their choice of placement (and lack of protection of the ground strap). Both my 2018 Giulia nd 2023 Stelvio Quadrifoglio have this exposed ground strap design. My 2018 Giulia has failed ground strap. Alfa Romeo will advise that washing the underside of the vehicle is required to keep ground strap free of corrosion. This is not a solution and underbody rinses are typically one spray bar in the car wash and this is insufficient to clean the woven ground strap braid. Alfa Romeo should be forced to issue a recall and remedy this design oversight.

Filed Aug 6, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · 55,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the horn was inoperable and there was no audible sound while depressed. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who diagnosed that the horn failure was caused by an air bag clock spring failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet contacted regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Filed Apr 3, 2024 · Electrical, Fuel system · NJ

I was driving on a very busy tollhighway and my gas gauge showed 3/4 of a tank left.all of a sudden while driving at 70 mph ,the car began to stall rapidly and the engine shut down.i was stuck in the far right lane of the highway which was I think 5 lanes.i couldn't roll or budge the car and had to pay for a flatbed haul to my apartment where a mechanic confirmed it was out of fuel.its happened again 3 weeks later at a 5 way intersection heavy congested on a Saturday which again caused me to pay a flatbed haul home.this is the same problem described in the recall that apparently my car isn't a part of.it cost me over 550.00 dollars and alot of stress to have it towed and it has less than 45,000 miles.also my sunroof is stuck half open half closed.it worked 2 times and then it stopped working leaving me to have a bad glare at certain times of the day from the direct sunlight.ive tried having dealership fix it but they claimed they had no time and I needed to schedule another visit.ughhh

Filed Mar 4, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · FL

Service Engine" and "Service Electronic Throttle" lights came on. The car/engine started shaking/stuttering pretty violently, so I quickly turned off the car. I waited about 2 minutes and started the car again, and same thing. I waited another 10-15 minutes to start the car again. This time, the car started fine without "Service Electronic Throttle" light, but "Service Engine" light was still on and the drive mode was stuck on N

Filed Feb 27, 2024 · Electrical · NJ

The implementation of Intelligent Battery System (IBS) in the vehicle causes a constant state of undercharged battery even when the vehicle is driven daily. Due to undercharged battery, several safety components, such as heated exterior mirrors and rear window defroster do not work, which creates a safety issue. This is a widely reported problem by owners on Alfa Romeo forums. No warning lamps or messages illuminate to alert that the battery charge status is not adequate. I have recently experienced this issue, my rear window defroster stopped working and I wasn't able to see through the rear window. Recharging the battery will make the window defroster work for a while again.

Filed Feb 20, 2024 · Body, Electrical · VA

I have now learned the hard way that there is a design defect with this car. It appears that water runs down the front cowl into an area near the fresh air intake. Particularly bad if you have the car running as it goes through a car wash, or if snow accumulates on the windshield and melts. Water is then sucked into the air intake and leaks into the passenger side footwell and gets into the electronics (including the area where the body control module is kept). Many owners have reported this issue on forums. Alfa Romeo needs to correct their design and should fix every Giulia that they have produced. Loss of electrical power or control of car can cause an accident or impact safety features.

Filed Jan 12, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · VA

When driving on a road, with speeds around 30mph, the car was failing to accelerate. The car had a warning "service electric throttle control". The car proceeded to have engine failure and stall at lower speeds when coming to a stop sign & when coming to a red light. This was a safety hazard, car turned off and was put in neutral when it should have stayed in drive. Other cars present on the road around, car could not accelerate in a busy intersection and was stalling in traffic.

Filed Jan 10, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Fuel pump seems to go out intermittently. I get the electronic throttle control warning light and auto start not available warning light and then the car cannot be turned back on. After towing it home and letting it sit for a couple of days it will start again. It shut down once on a highway entrance ramp and I had to quickly pull over to avoid getting hit. Has occured 3 times since I bought it three years ago. A dealer did read the code for fuel pump. Could not reproduce at the service center. Car has not been inspected by manufacturer or police. Warning lights and messages do appear and the car does not accelerate properly and sometimes turns off.

Filed Oct 3, 2023 · Electrical · NY

The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The vehicle was jumpstarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the battery was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The contact stated that upon pressing the Start button, the instrument panel lights illuminated, but the vehicle failed to start. The contact then pressed the Off button to turn off the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to turn off until the battery was completely drained. The vehicle was jumpstarted and taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The battery was recharged. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start the following day. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The dealer informed the contact that the battery needed to be recharged. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.