Why won't my Alfa Romeo Tonale plug-in hybrid charge?

Short answer: Owners say the Tonale often locks itself out of charging after a bad charge session and shows two red flashing lights or Service Charging System. It still drives on gas. Try a different known-good charger and outlet first (no extension cords). Some owners got it working by clearing codes with an OBD scanner even when none showed. If it keeps happening, the dealer can install a software update, and check recall 23V623000 for loose cables.

Symptom: Plugged in but not charging, two red flashing lights at the charge port, or a Service Charging System message. The car still drives normally on gas.

What to check first

1. Try a different charger and a known-good outlet, with no extension cord.
2. Note which charger it failed on and avoid it.
3. Read and clear codes with an OBD scanner, even if none show.
4. Ask the dealer for the latest charging and hybrid software.
5. Run your VIN for recall 23V623000.
6. Run your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Likely causes

1. Charging safe mode after a bad charge session. Owners say the Tonale's onboard charger is sensitive to voltage. After a faulty charger or outlet, it can lock itself into a protect mode and refuse to charge, shown by two flashing red lights, even with no stored codes.
2. Software needing a dealer update. One owner's dealer took a week to find the cause and installed a software patch, and said it was applied to every Tonale on the lot.
3. Loose 12V or high-voltage cable (recall). Recall 23V623000 covers 2023-2024 Tonale and Dodge Hornet PHEVs where the 12V positive cable or a high-voltage connector may not be tightened properly.

What it usually costs

Owners fixed it by clearing codes with a basic OBD scanner they already had, or with a free dealer software patch under warranty.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Yes, it drives normally on gas. Get it checked if you see other high-voltage warnings, smell burning, or see damage at the charge port.

DIY or shop?

Trying another charger and clearing codes is DIY. An EV's or plug-in hybrid's high-voltage system can stay live with the car off. Leave the orange cables, the big battery and the charging hardware to a trained EV technician.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: NHTSA lists 7 recalls for the 2024-2026 Tonale, including 23V623000 (12V positive cable or high-voltage connector may not be tightened properly), 23V696000 (pedestrian alert siren), 24V752000 (brake pedal may collapse, dealers reinforce it) and 26V510000 (rear seat belt retractors). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• Plain words: The complaint count below shows how often owners reported problems that mention these words to NHTSA. A count is not proof of a defect.
• NHTSA complaints: 1 keyword-matched complaints for Alfa Romeo Tonale 2024–2026 (of 4 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-11-02; keywords: charg, charger, high voltage, battery, service charging) (NHTSA returned no data for 1 model-year queries). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In Tonale not charging on Reddit r/tonale, a one-month-old Tonale wouldn't charge on four different chargers and showed two red flashing lights. The dealer installed a software patch after a week, suspected a bad charger, and patched all Tonales on the lot. Another owner said the Jeep 4xe platform underneath is voltage-sensitive and goes into protect mode. Two owners found no codes with a cheap OBD scanner but cleared codes anyway, and charging came back. One said it happened again on the same commercial charger.
• In “Service Charging System” error, car will not charge. Still drives fine on gas on Alfa Romeo Tonale Forum, owners discussed the Service Charging System error where the car still drives on gas but won't charge. They described it as a charging safe mode after a faulty charger or outlet, and an OBD scan tool clearing codes as a reset.

Quick tip

It's usually the car protecting itself after a bad charge. Reset it, avoid the bad charger, and get the software updated.

Vehicle focus: Alfa Romeo Tonale Plug-In Hybrid Q4, 2024-2026 (shares its system with the Dodge Hornet R/T).

Safety / mechanic note

Don't use damaged cords or adapters. Verify with a mechanic.