NHTSA complaint #11759200

Owner complaint summary

1. COMPONENT FAILED & INSPECTION: The transmission ground strap (uninsulated, bare braided copper cable) completely corroded/severed from environmental decay. This open ground circuit forced high engine-cranking currents into secondary low-voltage paths, causing an extreme thermal surge that melted and shorted out the main engine compartment wiring harness. Both failed components are preserved by the owner and are available for forensic inspection upon request. 2. SAFETY RISK: This manufacturing flaw causes a severe thermal fire hazard and an instantaneous, catastrophic loss of all vehicle propulsion, power steering, braking assist, and lighting systems while operating on public roadways. This abrupt deactivation threatens occupant safety and surrounding traffic by risking high-speed highway collisions or engine bay fires without warning. 3. CONFIRMATION: The exact failure cascade was formally diagnosed, itemized, and verified by Maranello Alfa Romeo of [XXX] ([XXX]) under a repair estimate of $7,203.10. 4. INSPECTIONS: Formally inspected by factory-certified technicians at the local authorized dealership center. No insurance, police, or outside authority investigations have occurred yet, as the car was towed immediately to avoid an active open highway fire. 5. SYMPTOMS & WARNINGS: There were absolutely no warning lamps, messages, check engine lights, or symptoms prior to the incident. Failure occurred instantly on XXX. The vulnerability was hidden from plain sight until the primary ground pathway severed completely during engine startup. 6. MANUFACTURER KNOWLEDGE: Alfa Romeo engineering has recognized this danger on 2017-early 2023 models, releasing a redesigned, fully sheathed/insulated ground cable (Part No. 68648999AA) to prevent this environmental decay. The consumer was never proactively notified of this critical safety vulnerability INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)