Recall 18V203 affects 12,595 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio SUVs for water-damaged liftgate wiring. Repair is free at any franchised Alfa Romeo dealer.
Alfa Romeo is recalling 12,595 2018 Stelvio SUVs because water can enter wiring connectors for the rear liftgate and liftgate-opening switch, causing corrosion. Corroded connectors can let the liftgate open unintentionally at speeds below 3 miles per hour, allowing cargo to fall out and create a road hazard; Alfa Romeo dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The rear liftgate wiring harness on the 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio carries electrical signals between the body of the SUV, the liftgate, and the liftgate-opening switch. That wiring lets the tailgate latch and switch communicate when you press the button to open the rear hatch. The connectors need to stay dry so the electrical contacts remain clean and conductive.
On included Stelvios, water can enter the wiring connectors in the rear liftgate area and at the liftgate-opening switches. Once water reaches those contacts, corrosion forms on the metal terminals. Corrosion interrupts the electrical signal, so the liftgate or its opening switch stops responding as designed. Alfa Romeo changed the sealing process on later vehicles with added sealant, protective tape, and shrink tube protection.
There is no warning sign before failure. The first thing an owner notices can be a rear liftgate or liftgate-opening button that does not work as expected.
Who's affected?
| 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio | body structure |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 12,595 |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether this recall applies to your specific SUV.
What's the safety risk?
Corroded liftgate wiring connectors can let the liftgate open unintentionally while the Stelvio is moving below 3 miles per hour. Cargo can fall out, create a road hazard, and increase crash risk. Secure cargo, check that the liftgate latches, and schedule the dealer repair soon. 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 liftgate wiring connector protection for the water leak and corrosion issue.
- Bring the recall notice if Alfa Romeo mailed one. If not, reference recall number 18V203 when you call.
- Drive with cargo secured until the repair is complete, because the liftgate can open at speeds below 3 miles per hour.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Alfa Romeo technician installs added protection to keep water from leaking into the rear liftgate wiring connectors and the liftgate opening switch. The repair is free, with parts and labor covered under recall 18V203. If you already paid to repair the same liftgate wiring or switch problem before the recall notice, Alfa Romeo's reimbursement policy applies. Send the original receipt or other adequate proof of payment to Alfa Romeo so the company can confirm the expense.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| March 29, 2018 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| April 25, 2018 | Owner notification mailed |
| May 18, 2018 | Dealer notification began |
| May 18, 2018 | Dealer notification ended |
| May 18, 2018 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| May 18, 2018 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 18V203?
Recall 18V203 covers 12,595 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles with rear liftgate wiring connectors and a liftgate-opening switch that can corrode after water leaks in. Alfa Romeo dealers will install added protection against water intrusion 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 18V203. If it is, contact a franchised Alfa Romeo dealer to schedule the liftgate wiring connector and switch repair. Reference recall 18V203 when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost. For recall 18V203, Alfa Romeo dealers will install additional protection against water leaking into the rear liftgate wiring connectors and liftgate-opening switch free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is cargo falling out if the rear liftgate opens while the Stelvio is moving at speeds under 3 miles per hour. That creates a road hazard and increases crash risk. The free dealer repair adds protection against the water leak that causes connector corrosion.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/18V203000 |
|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 18V203 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 18V203000 |
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 →