Recall 21V309 affects 9 2019-2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia vehicles for an ABS hydraulic unit defect. Repair is free at any franchised Alfa Romeo dealer.
Alfa Romeo is recalling 9 2019-2021 Stelvio and Giulia vehicles under recall 21V309 because hard braking can cause the ABS hydraulic control unit rotor shaft to separate, reducing braking assist and disabling ABS. The loss of braking performance raises the risk of a crash, and Alfa Romeo dealers will replace the HCU free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The Anti-Lock Brake System Hydraulic Control Unit, or ABS HCU, is the part that manages braking pressure on the affected Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia. Inside it, a small brushless motor spins a rotor that helps pump brake fluid through the system. That motor is what keeps the wheels from locking up during hard stops and gives the brake pedal its assisted feel.
On affected vehicles, the weld that holds the rotor to the brushless motor inside the HCU is missing or only partly completed. Under hard braking, the rotor shaft can separate from the motor. When that happens, the system loses ABS function and braking assist drops, so the pedal feels harder and the vehicle takes longer to stop.
There is no warning sign before failure. The separation happens inside a sealed unit, so an owner will not hear or feel anything in advance. The first sign is a change in braking behavior during a hard stop.
Who's affected?
Covers both the Giulia sedan and the Stelvio SUV across the 2019, 2020, and 2021 model years, all built with the same integrated braking system hydraulic control unit.
| 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio | hydraulic brake system |
|---|---|
| 2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia | hydraulic brake system |
| 2020 Alfa Romeo Stelvio | hydraulic brake system |
| 2020 Alfa Romeo Giulia | hydraulic brake system |
| 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio | hydraulic brake system |
| Units affected | 9 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included in this recall.
What's the safety risk?
Losing braking assistance and ABS function reduces overall braking performance and increases the risk of a crash. Stopping the vehicle takes more effort and more distance, and the wheels are likelier to lock during hard or emergency braking. There is no warning sign before the loss of assist. Schedule the repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Alfa Romeo dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2019-2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio or 2020-2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Alfa Romeo dealer to schedule the free ABS Hydraulic Control Unit replacement that restores braking assist and ABS function.
- Reference recall number 21V309 when you call the dealer, and bring the owner notification letter if Alfa Romeo has mailed one.
- Call Alfa Romeo customer service at 1-800-853-1403 if you have questions before the appointment.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete. Avoid hard braking, leave extra following distance, and watch for reduced braking response.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, an Alfa Romeo technician replaces the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit, the component whose rotor shaft can separate under hard braking. Parts and labor are free under the recall. If you previously paid out of pocket to repair this problem before the recall notice, FCA US reimburses documented expenses under its standard reimbursement plan. Send the original receipt or other adequate proof of payment to FCA US so the company can confirm the expense, or bring your paperwork to the service desk when you arrive for the repair.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| May 4, 2021 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 23, 2021 | Dealer notification began |
| June 23, 2021 | Dealer notification ended |
| June 23, 2021 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| June 23, 2021 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
| June 29, 2021 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 21V309?
Recall 21V309 covers 9 2019-2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and 2020-2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia vehicles with an ABS Hydraulic Control Unit defect. Hard braking can cause the HCU rotor shaft to separate, reducing braking assist and disabling the anti-lock braking system. Dealers will replace the ABS HCU for free.
What should I do if my 2019-2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio or Giulia is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific vehicle is included in recall 21V309. If it is, contact a franchised Alfa Romeo dealer to schedule the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit replacement. Reference recall number 21V309 when you call. You can also contact FCA US customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair the defect at no cost. Alfa Romeo dealers will replace the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit free of charge, including parts and labor, regardless of where the vehicle was originally purchased.
What is the safety risk?
Hard braking can cause the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit rotor shaft to separate, which reduces braking assist and disables the anti-lock braking system. That loss of braking performance increases the risk of a crash, especially in emergency stops or on slick surfaces where ABS would normally help maintain control.
What if I bought my Alfa Romeo Stelvio or Giulia used?
The free repair still applies. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to honor the recall regardless of ownership history. If Alfa Romeo never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific vehicle is included, and reference recall number 21V309 when you call the dealer.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/21V309000 |
|---|---|
| Alfa Romeo customer service | 1-800-853-1403 |
| NHTSA recall # | 21V309 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 21V309000 |
Source documents
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Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 24, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →