Recall 18V147 affects 1,505 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUVs because wipers can stay on low speed. Repair is free at any franchised Alfa Romeo dealer.
Alfa Romeo is recalling 1,505 2018 Stelvio vehicles because wiper motor software can mistake normal operation for overheating and limit the windshield wipers to low speed. Limited wiper function can reduce driver visibility and increase crash risk; Alfa Romeo dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The wiper motor on the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio moves the windshield wiper arms across the glass. It also changes wiper speed when the driver selects a faster setting. That faster sweep matters in heavy rain, snow, or road spray because it helps keep the windshield clear enough to see.
On affected Stelvio SUVs, the issue is the software inside the wiper motor module, not a broken blade or linkage. The software can read the motor temperature incorrectly and treat the motor as overheated. When that happens, it limits operation to the low-speed setting, so the wipers do not meet the required high-speed wiping performance under FMVSS 104.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices is that the wipers stay on low speed even after a faster setting is selected. In bad weather, that reduced wiping speed makes it harder to keep the windshield clear until the software is corrected.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio | wiper system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 1,505 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 35 field incidents to date. |
Not every 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Limited wiper function reduces driver visibility and increases the risk of a crash. There is no warning sign before failure, so avoid rain, snow, or poor-visibility driving until the wiper motor is replaced. Repair is free at any franchised Alfa Romeo dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Alfa Romeo dealer to schedule the free wiper motor replacement that fixes the low-speed-only windshield wiper operation.
- Bring the owner notice if you have it, and reference recall number 18V147 and Alfa Romeo recall U24 when you call.
- Avoid driving in rain or poor visibility until the wiper motor replacement is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Alfa Romeo technician replaces the windshield wiper motor covered by the recall. The replacement parts and labor are free. The recall is available now, so the service desk can confirm the open campaign by VIN and schedule the repair. If you have already paid out of pocket for a related wiper motor repair, Alfa Romeo asks owners to send the original receipt or other adequate proof of payment for expense confirmation under its reimbursement practice.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 6, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 25, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| April 25, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| April 25, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| April 25, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| April 25, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V147?
Recall 18V147 covers 1,505 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles with wiper motor software that can incorrectly read the motor as overheating and limit the windshield wipers to low speed. Limited wiper function can reduce driver visibility and raise crash risk. Alfa Romeo dealers replace the wiper motor for free.
What should I do if my 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Stelvio is included in recall 18V147. If it is, contact a franchised Alfa Romeo dealer to schedule the wiper motor replacement. Reference recall number 18V147 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Alfa Romeo dealers replace the wiper motor free of charge. The recall began on April 25, 2018, so the dealer repair is available now.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced visibility while driving in rain, snow, or road spray. The wiper motor software can limit the windshield wipers to low speed, which reduces the driver's ability to see clearly and raises crash risk.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V147000 |
|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V147 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V147000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 25, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →