The Alfa Romeo 4C spans 2014–2020 with 1 recorded NHTSA recalls and a 3.5/5 ForCar reliability score. The years to approach with caution are 2017, 2020, 2019 (most owner complaints); the cleanest are 2014, 2015, 2016. It delivers up to 28 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
Is the Alfa Romeo 4C a good car?
Short answer: it depends heavily on which year you buy. Our score for the Alfa Romeo 4C is 3.5 out of 5, built from NHTSA crash-test results, how often it gets recalled and what owners actually complain about — not from reviews.
The complaint that comes up most is the engine — 1 of the 1 reports owners filed with NHTSA. If you're choosing a year, 2014, 2015, 2016 score best in our data, and 2017, 2020 worst.
This page describes the model. It can't tell you whether that car has an open recall, a rolled-back odometer or a branded title — for that, run its number through our free VIN check.
How we score: NHTSA crash-test safety (40%), recall frequency across all years (25%) and the share of owner complaints involving a crash, fire or injury (35%). Based on NHTSA & EPA data — not user reviews.
Overview
The Alfa Romeo 4C is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2014 to 2020 across multiple generations.
How to read a Alfa Romeo 4C VIN — every digit explained
Every Alfa Romeo 4C 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 4C.
- 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. To decode a VIN number position by position, including the year-code table and where to find the number on a 4C, use our free tool.
How many recalls does the Alfa Romeo 4C have?
The Alfa Romeo 4C has 1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2014–2020. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the Alfa Romeo 4C
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint volume across 7 tracked years, the worst years are 2017, 2020, 2019 and the best (fewest complaints) are 2014, 2015, 2016.
ForCar aggregate — our own analysis of complaint volume, not published by NHTSA.
| Year | Owner complaints | Top issue | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 4C | — | Best | |
| 2015 4C | — | Best | |
| 2016 4C | — | Best | |
| 2017 4C | Engine | Avoid | |
| 2018 4C | — | Average | |
| 2019 4C | — | Avoid | |
| 2020 4C | — | Avoid |
What are the most common Alfa Romeo 4C problems?
The most-reported Alfa Romeo 4C problems are Engine (1 reports) — out of 1 owner complaints NHTSA holds for the model. Here's how they break down:
Most-reported components — tap a category to read what owners actually experienced:
Engine 1 Read
The contact owns a 2017 Alfa Romeo 4C. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she noticed smoke coming from underneath the front hood. The contact's wife was able to safely drive the vehicle to the shoulder of the road. The contact's wife opened the hood, and then the fire was…
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
Alfa Romeo 4C specifications & dimensions
The 2014–2020 Alfa Romeo 4C measures 157″ long on a 94″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 2,487 lb. 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 4C window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2020 | 157″ | 74″ | 46″ | 94″ | 2,500 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
Alfa Romeo 4C cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the 4C holds — passengers and cargo. Seating, cargo and interior dimensions vary by trim and seat configuration — decode your VIN for the exact build.
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 4C 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 4C get?
The Alfa Romeo 4C 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 2020 Alfa Romeo 4C (1.8L 4-cyl) gets 28 mpg combined and costs about $2,750/yr to fuel, emitting 317 g/mi CO₂ (GHG 6/10, smog 1/10) — about $2,750 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 4C | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 317 | 1/10 | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 2019 4C | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 317 | 1/10 | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 2018 4C | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 317 | 1/10 | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 2017 4C | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 317 | 5/10 | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 2016 4C | 24 | 34 | $2,750 | 317 | 5/10 | 1.8L 4-cyl | |
| 2015 4C | 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 4C stacks up against the most fuel-efficient two-seaters, or calculate this 4C's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the Alfa Romeo 4C have? Power & range
The Alfa Romeo 4C is offered with 1 powertrain — 1.8L 4-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4-cyl | 1.8L · 4-cyl | Automatic (AM6) | 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 4C cost to own?
A Alfa Romeo 4C 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 4C 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 4C 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 4C 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.
How much is a Alfa Romeo 4C to insure?
A Alfa Romeo 4C costs about $2,725 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 90% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (190, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the 4C's HLDI loss index. See Alfa Romeo insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the Alfa Romeo 4C safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the 4C 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 4C last?
A well-maintained Alfa Romeo 4C typically lasts 200,000–250,000 miles. With regular oil, transmission and timing service, most examples comfortably pass the 200,000-mile mark. Its ForCar Reliability Score is 3.5/5.
Check your Alfa Romeo 4C’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this 4C’s VIN free →All Alfa Romeo 4C model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the Alfa Romeo 4C — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 4C | 0 | — | |
| 2019 4C | 0 | — | |
| 2018 4C | 0 | — | |
| 2017 4C | 1 recall | — | |
| 2016 4C | 0 | — | |
| 2015 4C | 0 | — | |
| 2014 4C | 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 4C?
By owner-complaint volume, 2017, 2020, 2019 drew the most reports. 2014, 2015, 2016 have the cleanest records.
How many recalls does the 4C have?
1 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2014–2020. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all Alfa Romeo recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the 4C get?
Up to 28 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a 4C last?
A well-maintained 4C typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the 4C reliable?
Our ForCar Reliability Score for the 4C is 3.5/5, based on NHTSA safety, recall history and complaint severity.
What's the Alfa Romeo 4C 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 4C made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your 4C'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 does a 4C weigh?
The 4C's curb weight is around 2,487 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the 4C 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.