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Alfa Romeo Giulia VIN Number Check

A free NHTSA vPIC decode tells you which Alfa Romeo Giulia you are looking at. Then check its model year against 17 NHTSA recall campaigns and what owners have reported.

VIN prefixZAR

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Vinny, the VinNumber key mascot
Alfa Romeo Giulia

About the Alfa Romeo Giulia

Alfa Romeo has sold the Giulia in the US since the 2017 model year. Across those years NHTSA lists 17 vehicle recall campaigns and 276 owner complaints. The 2017 has the most complaints of any model year (102). EPA rates it at 20–27 mpg combined. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2017–2026
EPA classMidsize Cars
NHTSA recall campaigns17
Owner complaints276 at NHTSA
Alfa Romeo Giulia photographed at a US vehicle auction
Auction lot photo, for illustration
Generations

Alfa Romeo Giulia at a glance

One generation in the data, 2017–2026: 17 NHTSA recall campaigns and 276 owner complaints.

1 / 1
Giulia
2017–2026Midsize Cars
Alfa Romeo Giulia (2017–2026)

Photo: Kelebek, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

201720202025
2017–2026

Alfa Romeo Giulia

EPA classMidsize Cars
EPA combined mpg20–27
NHTSA recalls17

Engines (EPA)

  • 2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2017–2026
  • 2.9 L 6-cyl (turbo) · 2017–2024

Drive & transmission (EPA)

  • AWD/4WD, RWD
  • automatic (2017–2026)

Known issues to check

Fuel system (122)Engine and cooling (71)Electrical system (69)4 high-risk recall campaigns

Mentions in 276 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · GiuliaZARFAECN?H7······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia (952), built in Cassino, Italy
Check a Giulia VIN

Sources: EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which Giulia model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 17 campaigns on file for Giulia model years 2017–2026, and the 2018 and 2020 show up in the most (9 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

2020
Air bag inflator, fire risk or do-not-drive/park-outside advisorySafety recallCanada only
Pick a row
What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Alfa Romeo Giulia owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2017 and 2018 hold 188 of the 276 complaints, or 68%. Tap any bar or generation.

276NHTSA complaints, 2017–2026
23mention a crash
2mention a fire
13injuries reported
Owner complaints by model yearGiulia: 276 complaints · most for the 2017 (102)

Top complaint areas · Giulia

Mentions in 276 complaints, 2017–2026.

Fuel system122
Engine and cooling71
Electrical system69
Brakes18
Air bags14
Speed control / acceleration13
Crashes 23Fires 2Injuries 13

2017–2026

NHTSA data summary

The 2017 is the outlier. On its own it has 102 of the ’s 276 complaints (37%), more than any other Giulia model year, and owners across the generation name fuel system most often (122 mentions), then engine and cooling (71).

What Giulia owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2017–present (1st generation, 952)

The 2017 and 2018 draw the most NHTSA complaints. Owners most often describe the fuel pump failing and the car stalling or losing power, and some say the recall repair is still waiting on parts. CarComplaints has only a few reports and lists an ABS and stability fault, a cracked screen and a failed front axle for 2017. Recalls cover a fuel pump on 2017–2019 models that may fail, 2.0 liter engines that may misfire and overheat the catalytic converter, and a brake fluid line that can rub a coolant clamp on some all wheel drive cars. [1] [2] [3]

What to check before buying

  • Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the fuel pump, the 2.0 liter misfire software and the brake line on all wheel drive cars.
  • Ask whether the fuel pump was replaced and if the car has stalled or lost power.
  • On a lift, look for a brake line rubbing a coolant clamp.
  • On the drive, watch for misfires, warning lights and a cracked center screen.
Sources (3) and method
Sources:
  1. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia
  2. NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia
  3. CarComplaints.com, 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia problems

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 29, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

Giulia complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Every Giulia version is counted together. Tap a year to see its top systems.

276complaints, 2017–2026
23mention a crash
2mention a fire
13injuries reported
Most complaints: 2017 (102), 2018 (86), 2019 (46)
102’1786’1846’19’20’25

2017 · 102 complaints

Crashes 7 · fires 0 · injuries 2

Fuel/propulsion system41
Electrical system35
Engine31
Unknown or other12
Fuel system9

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

Giulia CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 28 Giulia versions for model years 2017–2026. The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 330 g/mi (2026). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Giulia2017–2026

20–27 mpg · CO₂ 330–451 g/mi

2025
27combined MPG
330CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)
$3,050EPA yearly fuel cost
4/10Smog rating
1 = worst · 10 = cleanest
5/10Greenhouse gas rating
California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard
Cleanest gas version of 2025: Giulia · Auto 8-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo — 27 MPG · 330 g/mi
Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year
250300350400450202020252017 · Gas: 3302018 · Gas: 3302019 · Gas: 3302020 · Gas: 3302021 · Gas: 3302022 · Gas: 3302023 · Gas: 3302024 · Gas: 3302025 · Gas: 3302026 · Gas: 330
Gas

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

Giulia vs BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2017–2026. NHTSA lists 17 recall campaigns for the Giulia, against 35 for the BMW 3 Series and 52 for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Pick a range to compare.

Alfa Romeo Giulia

Model years 2017–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
17
NHTSA owner complaints
276
EPA combined mpg
20–27
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 2.9 L
Also listed
turbo
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Fuel system 122
  2. Engine and cooling 71
  3. Electrical system 69

BMW 3 Series

Model years 2017–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
35
NHTSA owner complaints
384
EPA combined mpg
23–36
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0, 3.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L
Also listed
turbo, diesel, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 159
  2. Electrical system 86
  3. Fuel system 32

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Model years 2017–2026

NHTSA recall campaigns
52
NHTSA owner complaints
600
EPA combined mpg
19–30
Engines (EPA)
4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.0 L
Also listed
turbo, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA)
AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

  1. Engine and cooling 166
  2. Electrical system 87
  3. Fuel system 73

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Alfa Romeo Giulia VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on a Giulia

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Red Alfa Romeo Giulia (Type 952) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The Giulia's VIN sits at the base of the driver's side windshield, on the door jamb sticker, and inside the trunk lid. An engine bay stamp near the firewall is also present. The door jamb sticker and firewall stamp should always match the dashboard plate on any Giulia.

  1. Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
    Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
  2. Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
    Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge
The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.
FAQ

Common Alfa Romeo Giulia VIN questions

Which Alfa Romeo Giulia model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2017 leads with 102, ahead of the 2018 (86) and 2019 (46). Those first two alone make up 68% of the 276 Giulia complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Alfa Romeo Giulia had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 17 vehicle campaigns for model years 2017–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns.

Which Alfa Romeo Giulia recalls are high risk?

NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 18V-636, 18V-828, 21V-878 and 24V-306. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

What fuel economy does the Alfa Romeo Giulia get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2017–2026 Giulia at 20–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Alfa Romeo Giulia compare with the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class on recalls?

For 2017–2026 models the Giulia has 17 NHTSA recall campaigns. The BMW 3 Series has 35, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 52. Complaints run 276, 384 and 600 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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