Alfa Romeo Giulia: common faults & what to check

Which Alfa Romeo Giulia are you looking at?

2 generation variants documented. Pick the shape you recognise: the faults, the servicing and the timeline below all narrow to it. Free, no account needed.

Petrol

1 variant documented

2017–now9522017–now9522.0 turbo petrolPetrolDocumented issues12 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: AIMHO'S REBELLION 8490s via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Fuel not stated

1 variant documented

2017–now9522017–now9522.9 twin-turbo V6 (QV)Fuel not statedDocumented issues7 knownSee faults & what to checkPhoto: AIMHO'S REBELLION 8490s via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Now narrow it to the engine

A 1.8 and a 2.4 of the same car do not fail the same way, so the faults below narrow to the engine as well as the year. Free, no account needed.

Start your free check on this Alfa Romeo Giulia

No plate needed. You get the risk score, the buyer's checklist and the guided inspection for the exact car you picked above — not the whole nameplate.

The checks worth doing on a Alfa Romeo Giulia before you hand over any money. Every documented fault is listed below, each with its own page.

• Serious issue

  Request fault-code scan for P026A and coolant pump codes before purchase.

  See why

  2.0T Electric Coolant Pump Failure

  The electrically driven auxiliary coolant pump on the 2.0T Giorgio platform engine fails without warning, triggering an overtemperature dashboard warning and an 'Electric Coolant Pump' fault code. The pump runs on demand independent of the mechanical belt-driven system and is responsible for circulating coolant through the turbocharger circuit and heater core. When it fails, sustained high coolant temperatures can damage the turbo and cylinder head gasket. Documented extensively across European, North American and Australasian markets, with multiple forum threads and a dedicated replacement guide for 2017-2024 models. The aux pump relay is a secondary failure point that can cause the same overtemperature behaviour without always triggering a fault code.

  What you would notice

  • Overtemperature warning on instrument cluster
  • Electric Coolant Pump fault code stored
  • Coolant loss or low coolant warning
  • Heater output reduced in cabin
  • Whining or humming noise from pump area at idle

  Typically $1,200–$3,200 to put right.

• Serious issue

  Start the engine from cold after an overnight soak and listen immediately for chain rattle from the top front of the engine.

  See why

  2.0T GME Timing Chain Tensioner Cold-Start Rattle

  The 2.0T GME four-cylinder engine in the Giulia has a documented cold-start timing chain rattle caused by inadequate oil pressure reaching the hydraulic chain tensioner during initial cranking. The rattle typically lasts 2–5 seconds after a cold start and subsides as oil pressure builds. NHTSA received numerous complaints from North American owners and the issue is extensively documented on European and Australian owner forums. Prolonged neglect accelerates chain and guide wear, risking chain skip and valve damage on high-mileage engines.

  What you would notice

  • Rattling or chattering noise for 2–5 seconds immediately on cold start
  • Noise subsides once oil pressure builds after initial crank
  • Rattle duration increasing progressively with mileage
  • Occasional timing-related check engine codes on high-mileage examples

  Typically $2,000–$5,000 to put right.

• Serious issue

  During the test drive do several firm stops from open-road speed and check the pedal feels consistent every time.

  See why

  Brake-by-wire (IBS) faults and brake recall history

  The Giulia uses an electro-hydraulic integrated brake system (brake-by-wire). Owners report spongy or inconsistent pedal feel and brake-system warning messages when the IBS unit plays up, and a replacement unit is very expensive. The model also has real recall history: 2019-2020 build cars were recalled because the brake-pedal-to-booster fastener could separate, and Quadrifoglio models with carbon-ceramic brakes were recalled in Australia for a braking software fault. Earlier cars had a worldwide recall for a cruise-control/braking software issue. All recall work is free at a dealer - confirm it has been done.

  What you would notice

  • Spongy, long or inconsistent brake pedal
  • Brake system failure warning on the dash
  • Pedal feel changing between stops
  • Electric park brake engaging as a fallback

  Typically $0–$6,000 to put right.

• Serious issue

  During the test drive note whether steering feel is consistent throughout.

  See why

  Electric Power Steering Sudden Assistance Loss

  A documented fault in the Giulia's electric power steering system can cause sudden and complete loss of power assistance without prior warning, making the steering extremely heavy — particularly dangerous at low speed and in parking manoeuvres. The failure originates in the EPS control module or steering torque sensor. Alfa Romeo issued software updates and in some markets a safety inspection campaign covering EPS wiring harnesses on affected vehicles. The fault can be intermittent and may not present during a brief pre-purchase test drive.

  What you would notice

  • Steering suddenly becomes very heavy without warning during driving
  • EPS warning light illuminates on the instrument cluster
  • Fault disappears and reappears intermittently
  • Steering wheel vibration accompanying or preceding assistance loss

  Typically $800–$2,500 to put right.

• Costly issue

  Check the oil dipstick level and compare against any service records noting oil top-ups between intervals.

  See why

  2.0T GME Excessive Oil Consumption on Early Build Engines

  Early production 2.0T GME engines (approximate build dates 2017–2019) were documented to consume oil at rates exceeding 1 litre per 5,000km under normal driving, attributed to piston ring seal tolerances and valve stem seals on initial production runs. Owners who did not monitor oil between services risked running the engine critically low, accelerating timing chain and bearing wear. Later production engines with revised piston ring specifications improved but did not fully eliminate the issue. The fault is documented in both European owner forums and Australian Alfa Romeo owner groups.

  What you would notice

  • Oil level dropping noticeably between scheduled service intervals
  • Slight blue-grey tinge to exhaust smoke on overrun or cold start
  • Low oil warning light illuminating between services
  • Oily residue inside exhaust tip

  Typically $2,500–$7,000 to put right.

• Costly issue

  With the engine cold, check the coolant level and colour in the expansion tank (should be purple OAT, not green or brown).

  See why

  Coolant leaks - water pump, thermostat housing and plastic bleeder screws (2.0 turbo)

  The 2.0-litre turbo four develops coolant leaks from several known points: the water pump housing/gasket (failures reported from around 70,000-100,000 km), the thermostat housing, brittle plastic bleeder screws on the coolant hoses, and the turbo coolant feed pipe collar. A snapped bleeder screw can dump coolant suddenly, so a small leak should not be ignored. The system needs a specific purple OAT coolant (MS-12106 spec) - the wrong coolant causes further damage.

  What you would notice

  • Low coolant warning that keeps returning
  • Sweet coolant smell after a drive
  • Drips or dried pink/purple residue under the front of the engine
  • Whining noise from the pump area
  • Slow temperature rise or overheating

  Typically $300–$2,500 to put right.

Alfa Romeo Giulia service schedule

What falls due, and at what distance, for each generation of the Alfa Romeo Giulia. These are the model’s intervals — the car’s own service book is the only thing that can tell you what has actually been done to it.

What these repairs cost on other cars

Some of the Alfa Romeo Giulia’s documented faults are repairs other models share. Each page lists the documented NZ cost for every model it affects.

• Timing Chain Replacement Cost
• EGR Valve and Cooler Repair Cost

Other Alfa Romeo models