Faulty software in the Italian sport sedan and SUV could lead to gas gauges that say they have more fuel than they do.
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| © Provided by CBS Interactive Inc. Don't race to dealers yet, Alfa owners. This recall is slated to start in September. Alfa Romeo |
Nearly 22,000 Alfa Romeo Giulia sedans and Stelvio
SUVs are being recalled due to potentially optimistic fuel gauges. The
2018 and 2019 model-year vehicles may have a body control module (BCM)
"built with suspect software" that could result in fuel level readings
that are higher than what is actually in the tank. The danger,
obviously, is that drivers could run out of fuel and either stall --
increasing the risk of a crash -- or become stranded.
There are a series of very specific circumstances that can result in
this faulty fuel readout. They involve parking on a grade of 10-plus
degrees for a certain period of time (around 30 minutes) with a fuel
tank that's filled between 50-75%. According to Alfa Romeo's parent
company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, the vehicle may "think it went
through a refuel and add a notch or two to the fuel gauge upon restart."
That artificially raised readout will continue until the next time an
actual refueling takes place.
In March, 60,000 2017-2019 Giulia and Stelvio models were recalled over adaptive cruise control problems.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration notice,
Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio owners covered under this fuel gauge
recall will be notified by mail of the campaign, with dealers updating
the body control module software free of charge to fix the issue. FCA
says 21,915 vehicles built between April 5, 2018 and May 29, 2019 may be
affected by the problem.
The recall is expected to get underway on Sept. 13.
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