The Alfa Romeo 159 spans 1995–2026 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers up to 28 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the Alfa Romeo 159 — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
Overview
The Alfa Romeo 159 is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 1995 to 2026 across multiple generations.
How to read a Alfa Romeo 159 VIN — every digit explained
Every Alfa Romeo 159 carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a Alfa Romeo and the country it was built in (real Alfa Romeo codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this 159.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- ItalyZAR · ZAS
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the number is stamped on your 159, see our free VIN decoder.
How many recalls does the Alfa Romeo 159 have?
The Alfa Romeo 159 has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Alfa Romeo 159
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Alfa Romeo 159 — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common Alfa Romeo 159 problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the Alfa Romeo 159 — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Alfa Romeo 159 specifications & dimensions
The 2026 Alfa Romeo 159. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the Alfa Romeo 159 window sticker.
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Alfa Romeo 159 cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the 159 holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 100 cu ft of passenger volume and 15 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
Alfa Romeo 159 tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the Alfa Romeo 159 get?
The Alfa Romeo 159 returns up to 28 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $2,750/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2024 Alfa Romeo 159 (2.9L 6-cyl) gets 20 mpg combined and costs about $3,850/yr to fuel, emitting 436 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 4/10, smog 3/10) — about $8,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 159 | 17 | 25 | $3,850 | 436 | 3/10 | 2.9L 6-cyl | |
| 2023 159 | 17 | 25 | $3,850 | 436 | 3/10 | 2.9L 6-cyl | |
| 2022 159 | 17 | 25 | $3,850 | 436 | 3/10 | 2.9L 6-cyl | |
| 2021 159 | 17 | 25 | $3,850 | 436 | 3/10 | 2.9L 6-cyl | |
| 1995 159 | 15 | 22 | $4,300 | 494 | — | 3L 6-cyl |
The 2009 Alfa Romeo 159 (4.7L 8-cyl) gets 13 mpg combined and costs about $5,950/yr to fuel, emitting 684 g/mi CO₂ — about $18,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 159 | 11 | 16 | $5,950 | 684 | — | 4.7L 8-cyl |
The 2026 Alfa Romeo 159 (2L 4-cyl) gets 27 mpg combined and costs about $2,850/yr to fuel, emitting 330 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 5/10) — about $3,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 159 | 24 | 33 | $2,850 | 330 | — | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2025 159 | 24 | 33 | $2,850 | 330 | 4/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2024 159 | 24 | 33 | $2,850 | 330 | 5/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2023 159 | 24 | 33 | $2,850 | 330 | 5/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2022 159 | 24 | 33 | $2,850 | 330 | 5/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2021 159 | 24 | 33 | $2,850 | 330 | 3/10 | 2L 4-cyl | |
| 2020 159 | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 317 | 1/10 | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 2019 159 | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 317 | 1/10 | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 2018 159 | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 317 | 1/10 | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 2017 159 | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 317 | 5/10 | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 2016 159 | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 317 | 5/10 | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 2015 159 | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 317 | 5/10 | 1.8L 4-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the 159 stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this 159's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Alfa Romeo 159 have? Power & range
The Alfa Romeo 159 is offered with 3 powertrains — 2.9L 6-cyl, 4.7L 8-cyl, 2L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 | 2.9L · 6-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | RWD | Premium |
| V8 | 4.7L · 8-cyl | Automatic 6-spd | RWD | Premium |
| 4-cyl | 2.0L · 4-cyl | Automatic 8-spd | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a Alfa Romeo 159 cost to own?
A Alfa Romeo 159 tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Check what a used 159 is worth today or browse current used-market prices before you buy or sell. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this 159 loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $13,750 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the 159 ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
Is the Alfa Romeo 159 safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the 159 yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
Compare model years like a dealer does.
- Full research report on any model year
- Market chart: how this model holds value
- Exact values with mileage adjustment
- Price-drop alerts on the trims you're watching
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How many miles does a Alfa Romeo 159 last?
A well-maintained Alfa Romeo 159 typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain.
Check your Alfa Romeo 159’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this 159’s VIN free →All Alfa Romeo 159 model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Alfa Romeo 159 — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2025 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2024 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2023 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2022 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2021 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2020 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2019 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2018 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2017 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2016 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2015 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2014 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2013 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2012 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2011 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2010 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2009 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2008 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2007 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2006 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2005 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2004 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2003 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2002 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2001 159 | 0 | — | |
| 2000 159 | 0 | — | |
| 1999 159 | 0 | — | |
| 1998 159 | 0 | — | |
| 1997 159 | 0 | — | |
| 1996 159 | 0 | — | |
| 1995 159 | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the 159?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the Alfa Romeo 159.
How many recalls does the 159 have?
0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 1995–2026. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Alfa Romeo recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the 159 get?
Up to 28 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a 159 last?
A well-maintained 159 typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the 159 reliable?
We're still compiling NHTSA data for the Alfa Romeo 159 — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
What's the Alfa Romeo 159 warranty?
New Alfa Romeo models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a Alfa Romeo dealer.
Where is the Alfa Romeo 159 made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your 159's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; Alfa Romeo may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much ground clearance does the 159 have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.