The 2021 Giulia with the 2.0T is a sporty sedan with solid Italian bones but known for catastrophic engine failures and transmission cooling issues that can turn expensive fast. When they're good, they're great—but the failures hit hard.
Symptoms: Sudden knocking or ticking from bottom end, Metal shavings in oil during routine change, Loss of oil pressure warning, Seized engine or rod knock under load
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or short block replacement, 18-24 hours labor. Often main/rod bearings fail due to oil starvation or debris. Some see piston ring land failure. Requires full teardown, machine work, or FCA replacement short block.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure / Leaking
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid leak near front of vehicle, Overheating transmission, limp mode, Pink or red fluid pooling under engine bay, Harsh shifting or slipping after heat cycles
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler and lines, flush ATF. 4-6 hours labor. Cooler sits low and vulnerable; road debris or corrosion causes leaks. If ignored, leads to trans overheating and clutch pack failure.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200
Transmission Mount Collapse
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Excessive driveline vibration under throttle, Visible sagging or torn rubber on transmission mount, Harsh engagement during gear changes
Fix: Replace transmission mount, 2-3 hours labor. ZF 8-speed is heavy and aggressive shifts accelerate mount wear. Inspect engine mounts simultaneously as they often fail around same interval.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Fuel System Pressure Sensor and Filter Issues
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Check engine light with fuel pressure codes (P0087, P0190), Hard start or extended cranking when hot, Stumbling or hesitation under hard acceleration, Limp mode at higher RPMs
Fix: Replace fuel pressure sensor or fuel filter (in-tank), 3-5 hours labor depending on component. Sensor fails electrically; filter clogs with ethanol residue. Tank drop required for filter service on this chassis.
Estimated cost: $600-1,400
Brake System Hydraulic Leaks / Master Cylinder Issues
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Soft or spongy brake pedal feel, Brake fluid level dropping rapidly, ABS/Brake warning light illuminated, Fluid leaking near brake booster or ABS module
Fix: Diagnose leak source, replace master cylinder or ABS module seals/lines. 3-6 hours labor depending on component. Recall history on hydraulic components; verify TSBs completed. Bleed system thoroughly with scanner.
Estimated cost: $800-2,500
Backup Camera Display Intermittent / Blank Screen
Occasional · low severity
Symptoms: Blank or frozen screen when shifting to Reverse, Delayed camera activation (3-5 seconds), Display works intermittently, often after cold start, "Camera not available" message
Fix: Software update via FCA/Stellantis dealer, or replace camera module if hardware failure. 1-2 hours labor. Recall issued for display function; verify completion. Often software glitch, rarely camera itself.
Estimated cost: $0-600
Owner tips
Change oil every 5,000 miles or less with quality synthetic—bearing failures often tied to extended intervals or low oil levels
Inspect transmission fluid and cooler lines annually; catch leaks early before trans overheats
Use top-tier fuel to minimize direct-injection carbon buildup and fuel system contamination
Budget $1,500-2,000/year for unexpected repairs post-warranty; these are not Honda Accords
Buy one only if you have a comprehensive warranty or a healthy repair fund—the driving experience is sublime, but engine grenades and trans cooler failures are dealbreakers for budget shoppers.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
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Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles. The printed circuit board and software for the rearview camera may contain defects that cause the rearview camera image not to display properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the radio, as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the rearview camera software, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 25, 2025. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is A2C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov on October 14, 2025.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 24V510000
2024-07-03
Chrysler (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.
Consequence: A front seat air bag that does not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will repair the connection, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed beginning August 27, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 82B.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · 24V512000
2024-07-03
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2024 Alfa Romeo Giulia and 2021-2024 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles. The tire pressure and size information on the tire placard and manufacturer labels are incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
Consequence: Incorrect tire information can result in under-inflated tires or installing the incorrect-size tires, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: FCA will mail corrected tire placards and manufacturer overlay labels. Owners may bring the labels into a dealer for free installation. Some interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed August 27, 2024. Owner notification letters were mailed August 5, 2024 through November 1, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 81B.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS · 24V306000
2024-04-30
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) (Stellantis) is recalling certain 2021 Alfa Romero Giulia vehicles. The fuel line sensor housing may crack and leak fuel.
Consequence: A fuel leak may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel line sensor housing, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 6, 2024. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 54B. This recall is an expansion of recall number 21V-878.
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, and Alfa Romeo Giulia vehicles. The fuel line sensor housing may crack and leak fuel.
Consequence: A fuel leak may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A fuel leak also increases the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel line sensor housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 11, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is Y91.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · 21V309000
2021-05-04
Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and 2020-2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia vehicles. Hard braking may cause the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) rotor shaft to separate, a reduction of braking assist, and a loss of ABS.
Consequence: The loss of braking assistance and ABS functionality can reduce overall braking performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS HCU, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 29, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
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