Investigations
Low Pressure Fuel Pump Assembly Failure
NHTSA Preliminary Evaluation PE24003 — closed, opened 2024-01-08 and involving the ALFA ROMEO ALFA ROMEO.
NHTSA investigation PE24003 is a Preliminary Evaluation opened on 2024-01-08 and currently closed. The subject of record is ALFA ROMEO ALFA ROMEO, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for ALFA ROMEO. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2025-09-26 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
A Preliminary Evaluation like PE24003 is the entry point of the federal defect-investigation process. NHTSA engineers scan complaint databases, field reports, and manufacturer data to decide whether an Engineering Analysis is warranted, whether a voluntary recall is already sufficient, or whether the pattern does not rise to a defect finding.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "On January 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE24003) to assess allegations of loss of motive power resulting from low-pressure fuel pump failures in certain MY 2017–2019 A..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time.
Investigation Summary
On January 8, 2024, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened Preliminary Evaluation (PE24003) to assess allegations of loss of motive power resulting from low-pressure fuel pump failures in certain MY 2017–2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia vehicles. The subject vehicles are equipped with 2.0L 4-cylinder and 2.9L 6-cylinder turbocharged engines and manufactured by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles US LLC (FCA US). Reports received by ODI alleged stall and loss of motive power at speeds above 25 mph, with several reporting that the condition resulted in permanent disablement of the vehicle. Many reports described recurrence of the failure after an initial repair. During the investigation, ODI determined that the subject vehicles were equipped with fuel delivery pumps supplied by Vitesco Technologies Germany GmbH. ODI also confirmed that MY 2018–2019 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles were equipped with the same pump. ODI’s analysis identified an elevated failure rate associated with the original pumps installed in the subject vehicles. The failure mode involves interruption of fuel flow, resulting in fuel starvation and an unexpected loss of motive power, typically with little to no advance warning. In responses to ODI Information Requests submitted in April and June 2024, FCA US reported 2,162 customer reports (complaints, field reports, and legal claims) and 464 warranty claims related to the alleged defect. Combined with ODI’s data, the investigation identified 1,900 unique VIN experiencing failures. Review of the combined data confirmed one crash and no injuries, fatalities, or fires. On September 9, 2025, FCA US filed recall 25V-586, covering 29,467 MY 2017–2019 Alfa Romeo Giulia vehicles and 24,382 MY 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio vehicles, all equipped with the suspect Vitesco fuel delivery pump. FCA US reported that the remedy is under development, with dealer notifications planned on or about September 16, 2025, and owner notifications scheduled to begin on or about October 29, 2025
About This Investigation Type
A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first phase of NHTSA's investigation process. It is opened when the agency identifies a potential safety defect pattern, usually triggered by consumer complaints, manufacturer reports, or field monitoring. During a PE, NHTSA gathers information to determine whether a formal engineering analysis is warranted.
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.