The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Years To Avoid
Alfa Romeo Stelvio by Mr.choppers - CC-BY-SA-4.0
Several years ago, the Italian automaker introduced its first SUV, the Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a compact luxury crossover SUV that entered the market in 2016. As the company’s first SUV, the Stelvio has made quite a buzz in such a competitive segment, offering a strong mix of style, performance, and luxury – just about what you can expect from the brand.
The Stelvio aimed to separate itself from the competition by offering more engaging driving dynamics than your standard SUV. The base model is powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 280 horsepower. However, for those seeking more power, the high-performance variant, Stelvio Quadrifoglio, comes with a 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 engine that churns out a whopping 505 horsepower. Critics praise the SUV for its sharp handling, responsive steering, and comfortable ride, making it a true driver’s SUV.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEAR FOR THE ALPHA ROMEO STELVIO
In the Alfa Romeo Stelvio department, we have you covered. Read on to learn more about the most reliable Alfa Romeo Stelvio year, the worst selections available, and other valuable information.
If you’re looking to buy a used Stelvio SUV, you’ll want to focus on reliability to maximize your investment. Like all cars, some Stelvio model years are more reliable than others. So for today’s post, we give you the Alfa Romeo Stelvio years to avoid if you’re buying used. Let’s get to it.
Which Alfa Romeo Stelvio Years To Avoid?
When it comes to buying a used Stelvio, certain model years might be best to avoid, which we highlighted below. These are not outright terrible models, but if you’re considering the following years, getting a pre-purchase inspection and reviewing the vehicle’s maintenance history is crucial.
2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Debut models tend to have some teething problems or issues not identified during testing. These issues may range from minor annoyances to headache-inducing mechanical faults. Plus, most problems are unknown until consumers drive the car in real-world conditions. That’s, unfortunately, the case with the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio.
For starters, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) documented 35 complaints and a whopping nine recalls for the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. With regards to the complaints, the top three categories that received the most reports are electrical systems, engine, and service brakes.
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2018 Stelvio Electrical System Issues
From malfunctioning windshield wipers to headlights randomly shutting off, the 2018 Stelvio struggled with various electrical problems. One complainant detailed a sizable water leak on the car’s front passenger side during a rainfall. This resulted in the flooding of the affected cabin area, which led to an electrical failure in various car components. This included the infotainment system, headlights, indicators, and the engine stop/go feature, among others.
Another driver complained that while driving at around 25 mph, the windshield wipers unexpectedly activated on their own. To make matters worse, various safety warning lights flashed on the dashboard, and the automatic starter stopped working. The vehicle had to be towed to a dealership as a result. Upon inspection, it was determined that the issue could be resolved by replacing the body control module.
2018 Stelvio Engine Issues
Several people also complained about the Stelvio’s problematic engine. According to a few reports, there seems to be an issue with the vehicles’ power control module (PCM). This caused various symptoms like sudden loss of power and failure to accelerate.
A distraught owner claimed they had experienced a service engine error mere weeks after buying a used model with 40k miles and under warranty. Upon investigation, it was determined on two occasions that the issue stemmed from the power control module (PCM). Both dealerships indicated that the problem originated from the solenoids, resulting in a misfire caused by the PCM.
2018 Stelvio Engine Recalls
The 2018 model had nine recalls, making it one of the worst Alfa Romeo Stelvio years to avoid. Below are some of the most noteworthy recalls:
- Electrical System: Software: The Body Control Module (BCM) might display a fuel level higher than the actual amount in the vehicle. This discrepancy could potentially lead to the car running out of fuel and stalling while in traffic, increasing the risk of a collision.
- Structure: Corrosion at the connectors could lead to the liftgate unintentionally opening while driving at speeds under 3 miles per hour. This could result in cargo being dislodged from the vehicle, creating a hazard on the road.
- Electrical System: Equipment: Electrical issues may affect the functionality of windshield wipers in rainy conditions and lights during nighttime. These issues can compromise the driver’s visibility, making it difficult to navigate the road safely.
- Electrical System: Engine and Engine Cooling: Damage from overheating to the wiring or other components within the engine compartment may cause a fire. Additionally, such heat damage can lead to the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a vehicular collision.
The issues above, complaints, and recalls made the 2018 version one of the worst Alfa Romeo Stelvio years to avoid.
THE BEST USED SUVS UNDER $10,000
We looked into price, reliability, features, and more to create this list of the best used SUVs under $10k on the market today. Take a look - some of the best used SUVs have gone mostly overlooked or forgotten.
Which Alfa Romeo Stelvio Years To Buy?
Below are the Stelvio models that you can safely buy as used.
2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
Thankfully, the next year for the Stelvio was much better regarding long-term reliability and consumer reviews. The 2019 Stelvio is known for its sharp steering and precise handling. It’s a driver’s pick among premium compact crossover SUVs, which are generally not known for their dynamic attributes. It also provides a high level of standard equipment and performance at a competitive price with other vehicles in its class.
However, it’s important to note that while the 2019 Stelvio has many strengths, it also has some drawbacks. Some reviews mention that the Stelvio has some low-rent interior pieces (hard plastics galore), unintuitive infotainment controls, and high ownership costs.
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2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio
The 2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is a solid choice if you’re buying used, granted you don’t mind paying more for a relatively new model. Users from websites like Cars.com and Edmunds praised the vehicle’s performance, style, driving dynamics, and comfort. However, some owners reported issues with the infotainment system and other electronics. The electrical problems were rather expected since they’re common among luxury models due to their more sophisticated tech.
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