2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio: start-stop system problems

Filed Nov 5, 2026 · Fuel system · AZ

My vehicle was subject to recall 93C for the fuel delivery module. Before the recall repair I had Auto Start/Stop Disabled, Service Electronic Throttle, Service Parking Brake, Check Engine Light, limp mode, and unexpected shutdowns. Bill Luke Tempe Alfa Romeo replaced the fuel pump on September 29, 2026, and the vehicle was ready September 30, 2026. The same warnings and shutdowns continued after the repair. On October 23, 2026, at approximately 93,400 miles, while driving to Walmart, I attempted a U-turn. The vehicle went into limp mode with the same warnings and completely shut down in the middle of the turn. I was able to restart it temporarily and move it to a Circle K parking lot, but when I tried to pull into a parking space it would not start. It was towed to my home in Tucson and has remained inoperable since. No crash, no injury, and no fire occurred. The loss of power while turning was a serious safety risk.

Filed Feb 2, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TN

Subject: Safety Complaint – Open Recall with No Remedy Available I am filing a safety complaint regarding my vehicle, which currently has an open recall with no available remedy. Manufacturer Recall Number: 93C the federal safety agency Recall Number: 25V‑586 VIN: [XXX] After learning about this recall, I have experienced the exact issues described. When the vehicle is exposed to very hot or very cold temperatures, the Electronic Throttle Control (ETC) warning light illuminates, along with the check engine light and the auto stop-start warning light. When this occurs, the vehicle begins to sputter and loses power. It will not properly a-ccelerate and significantly reduces speed while driving. This creates a serious safety hazard, especially in traffic or at highway speeds. A sudden loss of power or inability to accelerate could easily result in a collision, potentially causing serious injury or death. There is currently no remedy available for this recall, yet the vehicle remains in operation on public roads. I do not feel the vehicle is safe to drive under these conditions. I am requesting that the federal safety agency investigate this issue further and require the manufacturer to provide an immediate and effective remedy. Owners should not be placed in a position where they must operate an unsafe vehicle while waiting for a repair solution. Thank you for your attention to this matter. [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Sep 17, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Description of the Problem: While operating the vehicle, multiple warning lights illuminated including the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) warning light, the check engine light, and other unknown warning indicators. In addition, several warning messages were displayed, including “Service Engine Soon” and other unknown messages. When this occurs, the vehicle begins to overheat, the auto start/stop function becomes disabled, and the vehicle loses power and will not accelerate as expected. Component or System Failed / Malfunctioned: The exact component is unknown at this time. The failure appears to be related to the engine, powertrain, or electronic control systems. The vehicle and components are available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: The vehicle’s failure to accelerate and overheating while in motion creates a serious safety hazard. This puts the driver and passengers at risk, especially if the loss of acceleration occurs in high-speed traffic, intersections, or on highways. Reproduction of the Problem: The issue has recurred multiple times. It has not yet been officially reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center. Inspections: At this time, the vehicle has not been formally inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives. Warning Lamps, Messages, and Symptoms Prior to Failure: The problem is preceded by the illumination of the ESC light, the check engine light, and other unknown warning lights. The messages “Service Engine Soon” and others appear immediately prior to or during the failure. These warnings occur before the loss of acceleration and overheating. Additional Notes: The failures are ongoing and have occurred more than once, raising concerns about reliability and safety.

Filed Jun 27, 2024 · Body, Electrical · 75,000 miles · IL

The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the interior lights were inoperable. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to respond while switching from Sport Mode to Economy Mode. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring. Additionally, the contact stated that the Engine Stop/Start system was no longer operable while at a complete stop. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, he noticed a burning coolant odor, which increased while at a complete stop. The contact also stated that he noticed a water leak on the front passenger's side floor and a moldy odor after the vehicle had been in the rain. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V636000 (Electrical System, Engine, and Engine Cooling) and to another unknown recall. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

Filed Mar 14, 2024 · Body · 37,293 miles · MD

The contact owns a 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated the vehicle lost functionality with the radio and the phone control. The contact stated that the front wipers became inoperable. The START/STOP function was also inoperable. The contact also stated that the heating and air condition controls and the backup camera were inoperable. The contact became aware that water was pooling inside the bottom of the liftgate while opened. The Auto START/STOP indicator light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where a diagnostic test was performed. The contact was informed that the backup camera connections and the electrical wiring harnesses were corroded. The contact referenced the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V203000 (Structure) as a possible solution; however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,293.

Filed Jul 21, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Vehicle stalled loss power on highway while driving 70mph almost got rear ended. Was able to exit highway and park vehicle. Shut it off for 10 minutes started back up put in reverse car would move at all put it in drive still wouldn’t move. This is very dangerous I couldn’t have been killed. Check engine light came on and stayed on. Stop/Start stated unavailable and service engine soon

Filed Oct 24, 2020 · Acceleration, Transmission · 12,766 miles · MO

While on a hiway, with cruse on, stopped for a red light. While stopped the engine shut off. I pushed the stop-start disable buttion. The car acclerated into the intersaction before I braked it to a stop. Luckely there was no one infront of me and no cross traffic or we would have wrecked. The car then went back to idle and has been fine since.

Filed Jun 4, 2020 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 20,000 miles · NC

21,000 miles may 2 2020 while exiting my neighborhood, electronics failed again and the car would not accelerate anymore; I was stuck in the middle of a heavily trafficked us highway, with the risk to be hit by other cars. The car went into the normal drive mode and I was not able to switch to economic or dynamic driving mode anymore, car would not run over 40mph. All kind of warnings started showing up on the dashboard. I had to stop/start the car a few times, and it resumed functioning. Current major failure-30/05/2020, cannot say the car mileage because the dashboard screen totally blacked out, 2020. All customized controls settings went back on factory settings and the center dashboard on the driver side is completely blacked out. Car is blocked in normal driving mode without the possibility to switch to dynamic or economic mode. Esc warning is activated on the dashboard.

Filed Dec 17, 2019 · Brakes · 45,000 miles · TX

Alpha romero when driving in heavy traffic at highway speeds, accelerating and braking occur together and often, the engine will cut off and all systems become inoperable. Stop/start system failure symbol appears on screen. This will occur when stop/start system despite having disengaged by pressing button on dashboard. It takes several seconds for the engine to come back on. During this interval, the car can not be controlled. Car is moving but can;t be controlled by driver. Alpha romeo customer center is aware of problem but says there is no fix available at this although they have known about it for some time. In my opinion is this an extremely dangerous situation and an immediate recall is needed to prevent serious injury/damage. Recall is necessary to fit this problem immediately. This has happened more than once.

Filed Dec 5, 2019 · Acceleration, Engine · 9,500 miles · CO

There's a problem called etc error. It has happened 5 times since 9500 mileage. And now car has 15900 mileage. Every time it happened when I was on highway trying to accelarate. When that problem occured, I suddenly lost power and had to pull over in the middle of traffic. Then I needed to shut down the engine and restarted, after this action power was back on with engine check light on, too. And car was driveable with auto start/stop and remote start unavailable. I went to dealships 3 times. First dealship can't not locate the problem and just reset computer. Second dealship found one problem and replaced a part. But after a couple thousands of miles, the problem happened again. I have two videos, but they are too big to upload.