Head-to-head reliability
ALFA Romeo Stelvio vs FORD F 150
How the ALFA Romeo Stelvio and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
ALFA Romeo Stelvio vs FORD F 150: The Stelvio averages 19.9 complaints per year, while the F-150 averages 1131.1. Stelvio owners report engine hesitation and electrical failures; F-150 owners report transmission hard shifts and electrical glitches. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the ALFA Romeo Stelvio or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
ALFA Romeo Stelvio
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio, a compact luxury SUV, shows a reliability pattern dominated by engine, electrical, and fuel system complaints. Owners report hesitation on acceleration, check engine lights, and even failures to drive forward, often traced to oil solenoids and battery issues. Electrical gremlins like corroded ground straps and malfunctioning cameras add to the ownership burden. With an average of about 20 complaints per year, it's a vehicle that demands patience and a robust warranty.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150, a full-size pickup, has a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 1,100 per year, but this reflects its massive sales and long production run. The dominant issue is the 10-speed automatic transmission, with owners describing hard shifts, jerks, and occasional loss of power. Electrical problems, including camera and sensor malfunctions, are also common. While the F-150's issues are numerous, they are often well-known and addressed through recalls and TSBs, making them more predictable for buyers.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | ALFA Romeo Stelvio | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 179 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 43 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 6 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 19.9 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 5 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
ALFA Romeo Stelvio
- 01ENGINE58
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM53
- 03FUEL SYSTEM42
- 04GASOLINE42
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM33
Owners report hesitation when pressing the accelerator, check engine lights, and in some cases the vehicle fails to drive forward. Dealers have diagnosed failed oil solenoids and battery issues, which can leave you stranded.
Corroded transmission ground straps can force high cranking currents into other circuits, causing a cascade of electrical failures. Also, rearview cameras and proximity sensors may stop working or give false readings, affecting safety and convenience.
Fuel system complaints often mirror engine issues, with hesitation and stalling linked to fuel delivery problems. Some recalls address fuel pressure sensors, indicating a known weakness in the fuel system.
“The contact owns a 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal, and the check engine warning light would illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, w…”
“The contact owns a 2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to drive forward. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where the vehicle was diagnosed with a failed oil solenoid and battery failure. The contact was informed that the oil…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The 10-speed automatic transmission is a major sore point, with owners experiencing hard shifts, clunks, and jerks between gears, and occasionally a complete loss of power while driving. This can be alarming and potentially dangerous in traffic.
Electrical issues include loud bangs from the transmission accompanied by rear suspension pops, as well as persistent warnings for front camera malfunction and pre-collision assist unavailability. These can be distracting and may disable safety features.
Headlight problems are common enough to be a top complaint area, with owners reporting failures that reduce visibility at night. Recalls have been issued for headlights, but some issues may persist.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
ALFA Romeo Stelvio — 43 recalls
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio, and Alfa Romeo Giulia vehicles. The fuel line sensor housing may crack and leak fuel.
The risk: A fuel leak may cause an engine stall, increasing the risk of a crash. A fuel leak also increases the risk of fire in the presence of an ignition source.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel line sensor housing, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 11, 2022. Owners may contact FCA US, LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. FCA US, LLC's numbe…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2019-2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio and 2020-2021 Alfa Romeo Giulia vehicles. Hard braking may cause the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) rotor shaft to separate, a reduction of braking assist, and a loss of ABS.
The risk: The loss of braking assistance and ABS functionality can reduce overall braking performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the ABS HCU, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on June 29, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403.
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2021 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles. An improperly crimped clamp may allow the side curtain air bag cushion and inflator to separate, causing an incomplete deployment or preventing the deployment of the air bag.
The risk: An incomplete deployment or non-deployment of the side curtain air bag increases the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag inflatable curtain assembly, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 19, 2021. Owners may contact FCA US LLC customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's…
The defect: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC) is recalling certain 2020-2025 Alfa Romeo Giulia and Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles. The printed circuit board and software for the rearview camera may contain defects that cause the rearview camera image not to display properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the r…
The risk: A rearview image that does not display properly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the radio, as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the rearview camera software, as necessary. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 25, 2025.…
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
ALFA Romeo Stelvio or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Alfa Romeo Stelvio has far fewer complaints per year (about 20) compared to the Ford F-150 (over 1,100), but its issues are more concentrated in critical systems like engine and electrical. The F-150's higher volume is partly due to its popularity, but the transmission problems are widespread. In practice, the Stelvio may offer a more trouble-free experience if you get a good one, but the F-150's issues are more predictable and often covered by recalls.
Key differences
- The Stelvio's engine and fuel system issues can cause hesitation and failure to move, while the F-150's transmission problems cause hard shifts and occasional power loss.
- Electrical problems in the Stelvio include corroded ground straps and camera failures, whereas the F-150 has more sensor and camera malfunctions.
- The F-150 has a much higher complaint volume, but that's partly due to its sales volume; the Stelvio's complaints are fewer but potentially more severe.
- Recalls for the Stelvio include fuel pressure sensors and brakes, while the F-150 has recalls for headlights and battery cables.
- Check for any signs of hesitation or check engine light during a test drive, and have the oil solenoid and battery condition inspected.
- Inspect the transmission ground strap for corrosion and test all cameras and sensors for proper operation.
- Test drive at various speeds to feel for hard shifts or clunks, especially between 4th-5th and 5th-6th gears.
- Check for any warning messages about front camera or pre-collision assist, and have the battery and charging system checked.
Before you buy
- Get a pre-purchase inspection from a mechanic familiar with the specific model.
- Check the vehicle's recall status and ensure all outstanding recalls are performed.
- Review the service history for any recurring issues like transmission or electrical repairs.
- Test all electronic features, including cameras, sensors, and infotainment.
- Take an extended test drive that includes stop-and-go traffic and highway speeds to feel for transmission behavior.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | ALFA Romeo Stelvio | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 24 |
| 2025 | 0 | 329 |
| 2024 | 0 | 617 |
| 2023 | 0 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 4 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 4 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 7 | 33 |
| 2019 | 36 | 36 |
| 2018 | 128 | 56 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific ALFA Romeo Stelvio or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- ALFA Romeo Stelvio vs FORD F 150
- ALFA Romeo Stelvio total complaints
- 179
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- ALFA Romeo Stelvio total recalls
- 43
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- ALFA Romeo Stelvio avg complaints/year
- 19.9
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- ALFA Romeo Stelvio
- ALFA Romeo Stelvio top complaint area
- ENGINE
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN