Heavy Steering & Vibration Plague Alfa Romeo Giulia

Had nearly identical issues with my 2018 Alfa Romeo Stelvio. The symptoms match what happens when the electric steering system has connection problems. The wheel alignment was fine in my case, but the main issue turned out to be corroded wiring connections to the electric steering control module. The pressure hose and steering rack were thoroughly checked and worked perfectly. The heavy steering and vibration came from the system defaulting to manual mode when connections failed. The repair involved cleaning the connections, replacing damaged wiring, and recalibrating the electric steering system. This was a serious electrical issue that required specialized diagnostic equipment. While checking connections seems simple, accessing the components meant removing several parts to reach the steering column area. The warning lights disappeared immediately after repair and the steering wheel returned to normal operation, no more vibration or heaviness. Based on these matching symptoms, requesting a thorough check of the electrical connections and control module would be worthwhile before replacing major components. Electrical steering issues can mimic mechanical problems, so having a shop with proper diagnostic capabilities is crucial for accurate diagnosis.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Your case sounds exactly like what I went through. Since your Stelvio had such similar steering system problems, I am hopeful it is just the electrical connections in my case too and not a complete power steering failure. Did you remember roughly how much the repair ended up costing? Also, has everything stayed working properly since the fix, or have you noticed any other steering-related issues coming back?

Just wanted to update on the costs and results since fixing my Stelvio's power steering issues. The repair bill came to 95 Euro for cleaning and fixing the faulty cable connections to the steering control module. Much better than replacing the entire power steering system! The steering has worked flawlessly since the repair. No more heavy steering, no vibrations, and all warning lights cleared up immediately. The hydraulic fluid levels and pressure remained stable, confirming it was purely an electrical connection problem rather than a mechanical issue with the steering pump or column. Looking back, having a technician who knew to check the electrical connections first saved a lot of unnecessary parts replacement. The steering felt instantly responsive again after the fix, just like when the car was new. It has been completely trouble-free for months now without any steering-related problems returning.

I really appreciate all the helpful replies. Following your advice, I took my Giulia to a different shop that specializes in electrical diagnostics. Just got it back yesterday and the steering feels perfect now. Turned out the first mechanic missed the real issue. The new shop found corroded wiring connections at the steering column, just like in your case. The hydraulic fluid and pressure hose checked out fine. Total repair came to 120 Euro for cleaning connections, replacing some damaged wiring, and recalibrating the electric steering system. The steering is smooth again with no vibration or heaviness. All warning lights are gone. Such a relief it was just electrical and not a major mechanical problem. Really glad I got a second opinion instead of replacing expensive parts unnecessarily. The car drives like new again.