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2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 20266 Critical Recalls
Ethan Miller

Complaint Summary

The 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio has 8 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve unknown or other and fuel system, gasoline.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

6.8/ 10

Based on 8 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 25%

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 25%

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 12.5%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 12.5%

ENGINE

1 12.5%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, accounting for 25% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 6 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio

The 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio has 8 owner complaints in this dataset. UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the most common complaint category, representing about 25% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio are UNKNOWN OR OTHER (2), FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (2), STRUCTURE:BODY (1).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 4 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2020 Stelvio complaints2022 Stelvio complaints2019 Stelvio complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 6 of 6 systems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 Reports25% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

As I am merging onto the highway during high traffic, I hear what sounded like a shotgun/explosion. I immediately swerve to the side of the highway, scared, alarmed, and in fear of causing a major accident. As I inspected the car, I noticed no damage to the body but only to find my sunroof glass was shattered. According to the experts, they stated "there is no apparent impact zone, and if there was, it would show damage inconsistent to what actually occurred here." Looking at the images/videos taken from the incident, the sunroof appeared to have imploded outward, and nothing penetrated the glass from outside forces aka. a rock, a bird, debris, etc... The entire sides of the sunroof all broke outwards. The corporate people at Alfa Romeo said it was due to 'outside forces' but with no evidence of such. This is clearly a manufacturer problem, and if not addressed, can cause severe injuries and in worst case, fatalities. The car has less than 8k miles and is brand new. I am traumatized, concerned and frankly upset about this whole ordeal.

10/26/2021

Coolant leaked into the air conduits, from the heater core, causing a midst and smoke of hazardous vapors be deployed into the cabin. Current odometer reading is 60,289.

3/17/2025

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

2 Reports25% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35–45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The “Do Not Drive” message was displayed. The contact called an independent mechanic and was referred to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V878000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 32,500.

12/1/2023

The contact owns a 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle occasionally stalled. The contact stated that the message “ Throttle System Service Required” was displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the fuel pump and fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V878000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 69,000.

10/28/2025

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 Report13% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

As I am merging onto the highway during high traffic, I hear what sounded like a shotgun/explosion. I immediately swerve to the side of the highway, scared, alarmed, and in fear of causing a major accident. As I inspected the car, I noticed no damage to the body but only to find my sunroof glass was shattered. According to the experts, they stated "there is no apparent impact zone, and if there was, it would show damage inconsistent to what actually occurred here." Looking at the images/videos taken from the incident, the sunroof appeared to have imploded outward, and nothing penetrated the glass from outside forces aka. a rock, a bird, debris, etc... The entire sides of the sunroof all broke outwards. The corporate people at Alfa Romeo said it was due to 'outside forces' but with no evidence of such. This is clearly a manufacturer problem, and if not addressed, can cause severe injuries and in worst case, fatalities. The car has less than 8k miles and is brand new. I am traumatized, concerned and frankly upset about this whole ordeal.

10/26/2021

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 Report13% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The battery shuts off the main screen making it difficult to navigate. The battery doesn't get charged adequately and that affects the electronic displays. This flaw could affect GPS, navigation as well as other essential electronic components.

7/28/2023

ENGINE

1 Report13% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 35–45 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The “Do Not Drive” message was displayed. The contact called an independent mechanic and was referred to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V878000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 32,500.

12/1/2023

BACK OVER PREVENTION

1 Report13% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V667000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the dealer stated that normal recalls typically took a year for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. The VIN was not available.

10/28/2025

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio?

The most reported complaint category for the 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is UNKNOWN OR OTHER, with 2 owner reports. That is about 25% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE:BODY.

Are complaints about the 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 4 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio severe?

4 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Alfa Romeo Stelvio: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
8
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

Start here

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