IsItAGoodCar
Reliability Guide

Common Problems with the
2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia

The Giulia reached UK showrooms in late 2016 from £29,180, finally giving Alfa a rear-drive 3 Series rival. Launch engines were the 200PS 2.0 petrol, 150/180PS 2.2 diesel and 510PS Quadrifoglio, all with ZF's eight-speed automatic.

What changed for 2016

  • •UK launch trims: Giulia, Super, Tecnica, Speciale and Quadrifoglio
  • •2.0 GME 200PS petrol, 2.2 JTDM-2 150/180PS diesel and 2.9 V6 510PS Quadrifoglio
  • •Rear-wheel-drive Giorgio platform with 50/50 weight distribution; Q4 AWD on higher outputs
  • •Integrated Brake System, AEB with pedestrian detection and lane departure warning standard

Common MOT watch-outs

  • !Inner-edge front tyre wear from the Ackermann geometry and wide wheels
  • !Front lower control arm bush wear causing knocks and vague steering
  • !Corroded brake discs and uneven pad wear on low-mileage cars
3
Known Issues
1
Serious
2
Moderate
0
Minor

All Known Issues

Relay Failure & Random Limp Mode

SeriousElectrics & Electronics

A bank of six micro-relays located behind the front-right (passenger side) wheel well liner is a major failure point. Sticking relays for the starter or auxiliary water pump can cause "no-crank" scenarios, parasitic battery drain, or random "limp mode" where the car loses power.

Est. Repair Cost: £50–£150 (Proactive replacement)
Warning Signs:

Random limp mode, No-start/No-crank, High-pitched whine after shutdown, Sluggish acceleration in Dynamic mode

What to Inspect:
  • Check if the relays (Mopar 6106093AA or updated 68530205AA) have been replaced
  • Listen for noises from the passenger wheel well area after the car is off
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Parasitic Battery Drain & AGM Upgrade

ModerateElectrics & Electronics

The Giulia is extremely sensitive to voltage. Factory EFB batteries often struggle, leading to "ghost" faults. Many owners upgrade to a larger H8 (LN5) AGM battery (95Ah) to solve these issues. Parasitic drain can also be caused by the USB hub or BCM staying awake.

Est. Repair Cost: £250–£600
Warning Signs:

"Start-Stop Unavailable" message, Random EML/Airbag warnings at start-up, Keyless entry failure, Dead battery after 3-4 days of no use

What to Inspect:
  • Age/type of battery (Upgrade to AGM is recommended)
  • Check if USB ports stay lit after car is locked
  • BCM software update status
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Suspension Bushing & Alignment Issues

ModerateSuspension & Chassis

Front lower control arm bushings wear prematurely, and the aggressive factory "Ackermann" steering geometry causes significant tyre scrubbing on full lock. This is often misinterpreted as a mechanical fault but leads to rapid inner tyre wear.

Est. Repair Cost: £350–£800
Warning Signs:

Tyre "skipping" on full lock, Heavy inner tyre wear, Squeaking/creaking over speed bumps

What to Inspect:
  • Inner edges of front tyres
  • Listen for suspension knocks on test drive
  • Service history for specialized 4-wheel alignment
Verified by IsItAGoodCar Research Team

Buying Tips for 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia

  • Check both front tyres' inner shoulders and ask for a geometry printout
  • Confirm the brake-by-wire recall and software updates have been completed
  • Start from cold and look for battery or relay-related warning messages
2017–2018
Check a 2016 Alfa Romeo Giulia by Registration