Safety Risks Emerge as National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Probes Fuel Pump Issues in 2017-2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Models
While modern automakers increasingly position themselves as mobility providers, the fundamental ability of a car to accelerate and decelerate remains pivotal to the automotive experience. However, for owners of 2017-2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Giulia Quadrifoglio models, the assurance of this basic functionality is now under scrutiny.
The NHTSA has initiated a preliminary evaluation in response to customer complaints about fuel pump failures in these Alfa Romeo sedans, resulting in incidents where vehicles lose motive power, stall, and pose safety hazards on the road. NHTSA reveals it has received 12 complaints and numerous field reports, including instances where sudden power loss led to minor injuries in accidents.
One owner from Indiana shared a harrowing experience, stating, “Was driving my 2017 Giulia on a busy interstate, and everything was perfectly fine until 3 error messages popped up: service engine, service electronic throttle control, start/stop unavailable.” The owner continued, “Then the engine cuts off, and the car shifted into N gear. It was a very horrifying experience as the semi-truck behind me almost crashed into me since my car lost power.”
NHTSA notes that the reported issues may affect Giulia models equipped with both the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and the 2.9-liter turbocharged V6. In discussions with Alfa Romeo, the regulatory body uncovered that the automaker had released a technical service bulletin advising technicians to replace the fuel pump module in certain cases. The ongoing investigation will delve into the extent, frequency, and root cause of these fuel pump failures. Should NHTSA determine an unacceptable safety risk, it may result in a recall, potentially affecting approximately 22,000 Giulia sedans. Owners experiencing similar problems are urged to report them to contribute to the ongoing investigation.