Alfa Romeo2013–2017

Giulietta 1.4 Turbo 105: Common faults & known problems

Common faults & known problems

14 known faults documented in workshop bulletins. Of these, four concern the clutch and gearbox and three the engine and fuel system. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Technical specifications

Engine & fuel system

3 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Engine coolant leak from coolant pipe connection on LH side of cylinder block

Affects All models with 1.4 petrol engine.Fit modified part

Cause

Unsatisfactory design of engine coolant pipe O-ring.

Repair

  1. Fit modified engine coolant pipe complete with O-ring.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 7.

Fuel filler flap difficult to open

Affects All models, VIN →7044051.Fit modified part

Cause

Insufficient clearance fuel filler flap and fuel filler flap opening surround.

Repair

  1. Fit modified fuel filler flap.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Fuel filler flap505154651

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 9.

Stop-start system not working

Overview

Affects
All models with 1.4/1.6/2.0 engines and stop-start system.
Remedy
Software update

Symptoms

Engine malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) illuminated. Trouble code stored: P181D.

Cause

Engine control module (ECM) software fault.

Repair

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Re-program engine control module (ECM) with upgraded software. Note: To carry out an effective repair a software upgrade will be required - refer to manufacturer.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 10.

Brakes

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Creaking noise from rear of vehicle when driving over rough roads

Overview

Affects
All models.
Remedy
Fit modified part
Parts
4 parts

Cause

Excessive friction between handbrake cable and handbrake cable guide.

Repair

  1. Fit modified handbrake cable guides.
  2. Fit modified handbrake cables.
Parts4 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Handbrake cable, left505029891
Handbrake cable, right505029871
Handbrake cable guide505252512
Rivet465472234

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 2.

Poor driveability in adverse weather conditions (snow/ice) with snow chains fitted and all weather driving mode is activated

Overview

Affects
All models without auto shift manual (ASM) transmission, VIN →7149089.
Remedy
Software update

Cause

ABS/ESP control module software fault.

Repair

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Re-program ABS/ESP control module with upgraded software. Note: To carry out an effective repair a software upgrade will be required - refer to manufacturer.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 13.

Suspension & drivetrain

2 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Knocking/squeaking noise from rear suspension over uneven surfaces

Overview

Affects
All models with sport suspension.
Remedy
Fit modified part
Parts
4 parts

Cause

Unsatisfactory design of rear shock absorber upper mounting bushes.

Repair

  1. Fit modified rear shock absorber upper mounting bushes.
  2. Apply a light coating of grease to shock absorber upper mounting bushes.
Parts4 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Shock absorber upper mounting bush505201534
Shock absorber mounting nut set155037211
Bolt set518066051
Grease (Molikote PG21)717364401

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 6.

Creaking noise from front suspension over uneven surfaces

Affects All models, →2014.Clean & lubricate

Cause

Dry contact surfaces on front suspension lower arm rear bush.

Repair

  1. Apply grease to contact surfaces of front suspension lower arm rear bush.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Grease (Petronas SP 349)Refer to manufacturer1

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 8.

Steering

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Knocking/creaking noise from steering wheel when driving on straight roads

Affects All models, 2014 MY.Fit modified part

Cause

Poor material characteristics of steering wheel.

Repair

  1. Fit modified steering wheel.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 14.

Clutch & gearbox

4 documented faults — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Stop-start system fails to automatically re-start engine

Affects All models with stop-start system.

Cause

Clutch pedal position (CPP) switch faulty.

Repair

  1. Renew clutch pedal position (CPP) switch.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Clutch pedal position (CPP) switch505305541

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 1.

Transmission shift indicator malfunction

Overview

Affects
All models with manual transmission.
Remedy
Software update

Cause

Engine control module (ECM) software fault.

Repair

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Re-program engine control module (ECM) with upgraded software.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 5.

Abnormal noise from transmission when pulling away or when accelerating/decelerating

Overview

Affects
All models with manual transmission or auto shift manual (ASM) transmission, VIN →7131429.
Remedy
Fit modified part
Parts
2 parts

Cause

Excessive free play between differential gears.

Repair

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Remove transmission from vehicle and dismantle. Fit modified differential. Reassemble transmission and refit.
Parts2 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Differential (manual transmission)552473791
Differential (ASM transmission)552473801

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 11.

Gear lever knob cap adrift due to broken retaining clips

Overview

Affects
All models with manual transmission, VIN →7083949.
Remedy
Fit modified part
Parts
2 parts

Cause

Unsatisfactory design of gear lever knob cap.

Repair

  1. Clean gear lever knob and apply adhesive.
  2. Fit modified gear lever knob cap.
Parts2 parts
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
Gear lever knob cap553463451
Adhesive552437501

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 12.

Air conditioning & heating

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Erratic air conditioning performance

Overview

Affects
All models with air conditioning (AC).
Remedy
Fit new part
Parts
1 part

Cause

AC evaporator temperature sensor failure.

Repair

  1. Cut wires 15 cm from AC evaporator temperature sensor.
  2. Fit new AC evaporator temperature sensor using heatshrink solder connectors and new wiring harness.
Parts1 part
Parts listed in the bulletin
PartPart numberQty
AC evaporator temperature sensor repair kit505316221

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 4.

Wipers & visibility

1 documented fault — symptoms, causes and workshop fixes.

Erratic rear wiper operation

Overview

Affects
All models with rear screen wash/wipe system.
Remedy
Software update

Cause

Multifunction control module software fault.

Repair

  1. Carry out electrical, mechanical and component tests (as applicable) to eliminate any other possible cause(s).
  2. If no fault(s) found: Re-program multifunction control module with upgraded software.

Data: Motorwise Workshop. Bulletin 3.

Glossary

Technical terms used in this guide.

MIL
Malfunction indicator lamp — the engine warning light on the dashboard
ECM
Engine control module — the electronic unit that manages the engine
VIN
Vehicle identification number — 17 characters, found at the base of the windscreen and on the V5C logbook
AC
Air conditioning — the system that cools the cabin
ABS/ESP
Anti-lock braking and electronic stability programme — the system that stops the wheels locking and keeps the vehicle stable
Control Module
A control unit for one of the vehicle's systems (engine, gearbox, brakes, body, and so on)
Multifunction Control Module
The control module that runs shared electrical functions (lights, wipers, locking, and so on)
Re-Program
Update the software on a control module using the manufacturer's diagnostic tool
Stop-Start
The system that cuts the engine at idle and restarts it when you pull away
Trouble Code
A standardised fault code stored by a control module, read with a diagnostic tool
Wiring Harness
The bundled cables that carry power and signals around the vehicle
Bush
A rubber mounting that lets a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
Bushes
Rubber mountings that let a suspension or body joint move without metal-to-metal contact
Evaporator
The air-conditioning heat exchanger in the dashboard that cools the cabin air
Lower Arm
A suspension link that locates the wheel at the bottom of the hub

Frequently asked questions

What are the common faults with the Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 Turbo 105?

This guide contains 14 workshop bulletins for the Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 Turbo 105. Of these, four concern the clutch and gearbox and three the engine and fuel system. Symptoms, causes, repair steps and part numbers are shown where supplied.

Does every Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 Turbo 105 have these faults?

No. These are patterns documented across the model by workshops, not predictions for an individual vehicle. Where a fault applies only to certain vehicles or VIN ranges, that is listed with the fault.

Can I check for Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 Turbo 105 faults myself?

Many of them. The documented symptoms can be seen, heard or felt during a test drive.

Related guides

Glossary term

See in the glossary →