Stellantis is recalling 53,849 Alfa Romeo vehicles in the United States after federal safety regulators flagged a defect in their fuel delivery modules (FDMs) that can cause the engine to suddenly lose power.
The affected vehicles are 2017–2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia sedans and 2018–2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUVs, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Owner notifications are scheduled to begin October 29, 2025.
Jeep
The Nature of the Problem
At the heart of the recall is the fuel pump itself. Stellantis told regulators that components inside the FDM can degrade under heat exposure, restricting fuel flow and triggering a sudden loss of propulsion while driving. That poses an obvious safety hazard, especially during highway travel or overtaking maneuvers. The company is still developing a remedy, meaning owners may have to wait weeks before repairs begin.
This is hardly an isolated case. Stellantis has faced a series of high-profile recalls in recent months. Just last week, the automaker pulled nearly 92,000 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4xe hybrids over software glitches that can cause the plug-in SUVs to lose power without warning, another major strike against its electrified offerings.
A Company Under Pressure
For Stellantis, this recall highlights the pressure of balancing profitability with reliability. The automaker has already drawn criticism for its wavering commitment to electrification, with CEO Carlos Tavares recently admitting that hybrids will remain a central part of its lineup rather than going all-electric by 2030.
That pivot coincides with more strategic cutbacks, including the cancellation of a fully electric Ram 1500 pickup due to what Stellantis describes as “slow demand”. Instead, the automaker is doubling down on extended-range hybrids and plug-in models, a move it hopes will shield it from both market volatility and quality headaches.
Alfa Romeo
What Owners Should Do
For drivers of the affected Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio models, the recall letters will include next steps once Stellantis finalizes its repair strategy. Until then, owners are urged to watch for signs of stalling, surging, or power cuts during normal driving, especially in warmer climates where heat stress on the FDM is most likely. Repairs will be covered free of charge.
While this specific recall involves Alfa Romeo, it underscores a broader challenge for Stellantis: keeping customer trust intact as it juggles legacy combustion products, hybrids, and new EVs, all while recalls pile up. Whether the company’s decision to lean harder on hybrids buys it time to fix reliability issues, or only delays the inevitable shift to full electrification, remains to be seen.
