Q. I haven't seen any recent updates on your 2024 Alfa Romeo Tonale, which you have featured before in the column and your website. I know that Alfa Romeo discontinued the plug-in hybrid drivetrain (PHEV) and replaced it with a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine. I also read that Alfa Romeo USA is not a priority for Stellantis. However I am seeing low mileage, used PHEV Tonales pop up for sale and am considering one. Have you continued to have positive experiences with the car?

—M.B., Hopkins, Minnesota

A. No, I have not. I get a limited number of words per week so I focus on things people will want to buy, own and use, rather than things they should avoid. However, I introduced the readership to my Tonale years ago because I wanted to report on my experience with a plug-in hybrid vehicle, as well as to test EV charging products. Given this I am going to provide this final, overwhelmingly negative report.

I paid off and turned in the Tonale lease in January, 11 months early. I had two excellent years, and was even considering buying the car when the lease was up. The Tonale was beautifully made, fun to drive, a great size for my purposes and averaging 45.9 miles per gallon. I miss it, but there was no way I could keep it.

Right before my two-year lease anniversary it developed a squeak from the high-voltage generator, which is similar to the alternator in a conventional car. After the dealer replaced it under warranty (after almost three weeks waiting for parts, with no loaner car) the Tonale drivetrain shut down without warning on the interstate, with the "red turtle of death" on the instrument panel. I coasted from 65 mph to a dead stop on the side of the road, the vehicle unresponsive and the instrument panel lit up bright red. It was terrifying! I got it back to the dealer. They duplicated the problem, reprogrammed the car, drove it 50 miles and the problem did not recur. I got it back and it soon shut down again, this time in holiday traffic going up a hill. I had it towed back to the dealer. They could not replicate the problem, said it was not throwing any codes so there was nothing they could do. They gave it back to me as it was. I was unwilling to drive the Tonale at this point so I paid off the lease and returned it early, at a great financial loss. I only had a loaner car for four days out of the almost six weeks it was out of service, and the manufacturer helpline Alfa Romeo Cares did nothing to help me, despite my pleading.

I do hope Stellantis cares about Alfa Romeo in the U.S. I think the Giorgio-platform-based Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio are phenomenal cars. My 2018 Giulia has almost 90,000 miles and still drives like new, and has been super reliable and fun. I have a friend who has had two Giulias and a Stelvio, and he has loved all three. I have two other friends with hybrid Tonales and so far their cars have been fine, which hopefully continues for them. But given my terrifying, life-threatening experience, the ongoing, well-documented issues with Stellantis hybrid powertrains, the unsatisfactory manufacturer support and the huge financial hit I took to get out of a car I considered dangerous to myself and others, I personally would not buy or recommend any hybrid Stellantis product, new or used. (In the U.S., Stellantis brands are Jeep, Ram, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Alfa Romeo and Maserati.) My next fleet addition will likely be a new EV. I will keep everyone posted, especially given today's high gas prices!

Stellantis was provided a draft of this column and an opportunity to comment or provide a statement, which follows:

“Alfa Romeo takes matters of this nature very seriously, as the safety and satisfaction of our customers are a priority. Our records confirm that the vehicle received warranty repairs through an authorized Alfa Romeo dealer, including replacement of the high-voltage generator/alternator. At this time, our teams have not identified a trend associated with this component on the Alfa Romeo Tonale in North America. As customer matters are private, we cannot comment publicly on the specific details of an individual case, but we appreciate Mr. Lindich bringing his experience to our attention.” — A Stellantis spokesperson

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