The 2018 Giulia 2.0T is an engaging Italian sport sedan undermined by serious engine reliability issues and electrical gremlins. When they run, they're fantastic—but catastrophic engine failures are far too common for a modern vehicle.
Symptoms: Sudden oil pressure warning, Metallic knocking/rattling from crankcase, Engine seizure without warning, Oil starvation despite proper maintenance
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or replacement required—heads, pistons, rings, bearings, crankshaft. This isn't a wear item; it's a design/manufacturing defect affecting oil delivery. 25-35 hours labor for short block swap, more for full rebuild.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission overheating warnings, Erratic shifting when hot, Pink/milky transmission fluid (coolant cross-contamination), Limp mode activation
Fix: Replace transmission oil cooler and flush both transmission and cooling system. Often triggers chain reaction if coolant enters trans. 4-6 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
ZF 8-Speed Transmission Mounts Collapse
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking during shifts, especially 1-2 and 2-3, Vibration at idle in Drive, Harsh engagement from Park, Driveline shudder on acceleration
Fix: Replace motor/transmission mounts. The hydraulic mounts lose fluid and collapse prematurely. 2-3 hours labor for both sides.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Fuel Pump/Fuel System Failures
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: No-start condition, Stumbling/hesitation under load, Loss of power at highway speeds, Check engine light with fuel pressure codes
Fix: Fuel pump replacement (often high-pressure pump on engine) or complete fuel filter/pump module from tank. NHTSA recall addresses some units. 3-5 hours labor depending on which pump.
Estimated cost: $800-2,500
Instrument Cluster Failures and Electrical Glitches
Common · medium severity
Symptoms: Gauges freezing or going dark, Random warning lights, Infotainment system crashes, Adaptive cruise control malfunctions, Body control module errors
Fix: Software updates sometimes help; often requires cluster replacement or BCM reflash. Multiple NHTSA campaigns address wiring and cruise control. 2-4 hours diagnostic plus repair time.
Estimated cost: $500-2,500
Brake System Hydraulic Issues
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Soft brake pedal, Extended stopping distances, Brake warning lights, Fluid leaks at master cylinder or ABS module
Fix: Master cylinder or brake booster replacement. Two NHTSA recalls cover hydraulic brake concerns. Can require bleeding entire system. 3-6 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $800-1,800
Owner tips
Check engine build date—early 2018 production had worse bearing issues; mid-year builds slightly better
Use factory-spec 0W-40 oil and 5,000-mile intervals religiously—no stretching
Budget $1,500/year minimum for unexpected repairs after warranty expires
Extended warranty is almost mandatory if buying used
Keep records of all software updates—many electrical issues have TSBs
Beautiful driver when healthy, but the engine failure risk makes this a hard pass unless you have deep pockets or full warranty coverage remaining.
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.
Be the first to unlock repairs for the 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia
Procedures haven't been generated for this vehicle yet. Become the founding sponsor and we'll generate expert-grade, step-by-step repair walkthroughs for every common job on it — free for every mechanic and DIYer who looks it up after, forever.
Chrysler (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.
Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel delivery module, free of charge. Interim notification letters, notifying owners of the safety risk, were mailed October 7, 2025. Additional letters will be sent once the final remedy is available, anticipated July 2026. Owners may contact FCA customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA's number for this recall is 93C. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 16, 2025.
The information in your report suggests that Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) may have been aware of this issue more than five business days before filing a report with NHTSA. Please be reminded that under Federal law, this agency is to be notified of all safety defect and/or noncompliance decisions within five business days. 49 CFR 573.6 Significant civil penalties can be assessed for this violation.
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · 23V382000
2023-05-30
Chrysler (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.
Consequence: An unexpected decrease in brake performance increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the brake system module (BSM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 20, 2023. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's number for this recall is 68A.
Alfa 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.
Consequence: The vehicle may be operated without enough fuel in the tank causing a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Alfa Romeo will notify owners, and dealers will update the BCM software, free of charge. The recall began August 12, 2019. Owners may contact Alfa Romeo customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Alfa Romeo's number for this recall is V84.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL · 19V148000
2019-03-01
FCA 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.
Consequence: The driver's inability to deactivate the ACC can increase the risk of crash.
Remedy: Alfa Romeo has notified owners, and dealers will update the BSM software, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019. Owners may contact Alfa Romeo customer service 1-800-853-1403. The Alfa Romeo number for this recall is V27.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM · 18V828000
2018-11-26
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia vehicles equipped with GME 280HP engines and All Wheel Drive ("AWD"). The brake fluid line may contact a coolant hose clamp, possibly causing brake fluid to leak onto the exhaust.
Consequence: Brake fluid leaking onto the exhaust can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will install a bracket on the brake fluid line to prevent contact with the coolant hose clamp. If damage is found on the brake line, it will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 10, 2019. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is UB9.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · 18V636000
2018-09-14
Chrysler (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.
Consequence: Heat damage to the engine compartment wiring or components can increase the risk of a fire or it can cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles for diagnostic codes, and update the engine control module software, free of charge. The recall began October 10, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-844-253-2872. Chrysler's number for this recall is UA4.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · 17V823000
2017-12-20
Chrysler (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.
Consequence: A reduction in braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Alfa Romeo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the braking system, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began February 1, 2018. Owners may contact Alfa Romeo customer service at 1-844-253-2872. Chrysler's number for this recall is T84.
Building an app?
Free API access to all this data — 50 requests/day, no card required.