Alfa Romeo SUVs Called Back Over Fire Risks

Some Alfa Romeo sport utility vehicles are being called back across the country because of a defect that could cause them to go up in flames.

Stellantis recently announced that it is recalling certain Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in hybrid SUVs over fire risks. Loose integrated dual charging module cables make the cars susceptible to fires, the company said in a defect notice filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“A loose 12V battery positive cable and/or high voltage connectors may result in a high resistance in the connection to the IDCM which may lead to a vehicle fire with the ignition on or off,” Stellantis told NHTSA. “A vehicle fire can result in increased risk of occupant injury and/or injury to persons outside the vehicle, as well as property damage.”

The recall covers certain 2023-2024 Tonale SUVs, which were produced between February and August. Stellantis is also calling back some Dodge Hornet plug-in hybrid SUVs for the same defect.

The company plans to begin notifying owners of the recalled cars - which total about 4,100 vehicles, in late October. It will ask owners to bring their vehicles to local dealers for inspections and repairs.

Owners should park their vehicles outside in the meantime.

“Customers are advised to not park these vehicles inside of buildings or structures or near other vehicles until the vehicle has the final repair completed,” Stellantis said in the defect notice.

Electric Vehicle Fire Risks Continue

The recall is just the latest example of seemingly growing concerns about vehicle fires in electric cars.

Ford Motor Co., for example, announced over the summer that it was calling back some 15,000 electric Fusions for similar battery fire risks.

That recall came just months after Hyundai and Kia announced they were calling back more than half a million hybrid vehicles over fears that they could catch fire. Owners of those cars were also instructed to park outside until the defect was fixed.

How the California Lemon Law Works

California car owners and lessors have some important rights and protections under the state’s lemon law. You do not need to wait for a recall to get a defective vehicle fixed.

The lemon law, officially known as the Song Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, forces automakers to perform a full range of repairs on cars while they are under warranty. It also requires the companies to buy back (or replace, in some cases) vehicles that they are unable to or simply decline to fix. 

There is no specific number of repair requests or attempts that must happen before the buyback or replacement requirement kicks in. An experienced lemon law attorney can help you understand your rights and take action.

Our California Lemon Lawyers Can Help

At Bickel Sannipoli, our California lemon law attorneys have assisted hundreds of clients across the state stuck with defective or malfunctioning vehicles. 

We are conveniently located in Los Angeles, San Diego and San Francisco. Call us at (888) 800-1983 or contact us online to speak with a California lemon law attorney today.