Alfa Romeo Problems

This sounds like a job for an auto electrician, as it's impossible to diagnose something like this by remote control. But for reference, it could be something as complex as a major problem with the wiring harness and its networking, or something as simple as a flat battery in the key fob. But the fact that the car knows something is wrong and issues a fault warning is actually good news and suggests that an electronic scan of the car will throw up the answer pretty quickly.

Unfortunately, Alfa Romeo dragged its heels on warranty, and only made a five-year warranty standard after April 22, 2022. Which means your 2019 car came only with a three-year warranty which has, of course, now expired.

The very worst of the bad old days of Alfa Romeo's questionable build quality are behind us. At its worst, brand-new Alfas were rusting within in their warranty period and the electrical systems were a total mess. Many owners swore off the brand at that point, not willing to be caught out twice.

In the intervening decades, however, overall quality has improved dramatically. Of course, this has been an industry-wide phenomenon, not just an Alfa Romeo one, and is the result of better design, metallurgy and materials. Not to mention the increased use of robotics to physically build the end product. For all that, though, there's still some suspicion – if not resentment – towards the Alfa Romeo badge.

For the record, Alfa Romeo was ranked number one in the luxury segment in Sales Satisfaction Index for 2022 in the USA in the annual survey by JD Power. The survey is one of the more credible quality surveys and placed Alfa in first position (up nine places) from the 14 luxury brands included in the survey. However, the fine print is interesting, because the SSI result is based on the buyer's experience of six factors; delivery process, dealer personnel, working out the deal, paperwork completion, dealership facility and dealership website. Which is a different thing to actual vehicle build quality and reliability.

Fuses don’t have any moving parts, so it shouldn’t be a fuse that’s making a ticking noise. But fuse boxes also often house relays which do have electro-magnetic contacts and a small armature that moves when the magnets are energised. That’s the probable cause of the ticking noise.

That you’re hearing to ticking noise when you try to start the car, suggests to me that it’s a relay connected with the starting procedure; possibly something to do with powering up the fuel pump or even the starter-motor itself. But hearing it means that it’s working and the problem is somewhere downstream of the relay.

You’ve told me that the car won’t start, but does that mean it cranks and won’t fire, or won’t even crank in the first place? Because those are two very different problems with a thousand potential causes.

If there are any common problems and complaints about Alfa Romeo's reliability or faults, they'll likely show up on our Alfa Romeo problems page. You can also calculate a car's projected resale value via our price and specs page.

The cheapest new Alfa Romeo is the Giulietta Super Manual listed at $29,900. For more info on the latest models, check out our pricing and specs page, and you'll find all Alfa Romeo reviews and news here.

The most expensive new Alfa Romeo is the Stelvio Quadrifoglio listed at $149,900. For more info on the latest models, check out our pricing and specs page, and you'll find all Alfa Romeo reviews and news here.

While Alfa Romeos have never had a stellar reputation for being reliable, maintenance-free cars so long as they're treated sympathetically and serviced on the dot there shouldn't be any reason they're not a good car. They look great and the Quadrifoglio is a real performance machine.

Alfa Romeo's reborn Giulia range features three petrol engines and 10 diesel engine options, across a multitude of options for four- or rear-wheel drive layouts, as well as six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions. The top engine is the turbocharged 2.9-litre 503hp V6 in the Quadrifoglio, though a 2-litre turbo MultiAir four-cylinder is also available with either 197hp or 276hp depending on the model. The diesel engines are 2.2-litre Multijet II units boasting between 148hp and 207hp depending on the model.

The new-generation Alfa Romeo Giulia is built in the Cassino Plant, located in Frosinone, central Italy by FCA Italy - Fiat-Chrysler's Italian subsidiary. .