@graboz

FYI: There's a "emergency" red cord under the carpet in the rear hatch area just for this type of emergency.
Lift the carpet, pull the red cord, and the fuel hatch opens.

Here's a thread about replacing the relay that rusts and malfunctions in rust states - hope this helps:

Fuel Door Lock Issues

 

Hi there,

You may want to reach out to your local dealer for further assistance with this. If you decide to do so, you can always send us a private message if you need additional support or have questions.

Lex
Alfa Romeo Cares

 

Not helpful! Why bother even posting that.

 

never had to remove it but if I remember there are 4 slots - two on bottom/top edges, visible with door opened.
my guess would be you have to insert small screwdriver or rod into those slots to unclip whole assembly. at least on other modern cars it works this way.
I'd search ebay for pictures at least to have an idea what's on other side.

 

My door got stuck as well, I was on the road, and had no choice but to break the door. Yes I tried pulling the red string, very hard I might to no avail. The design is silly.

 

Agreed.

It's better then the electric hood release on a Porsche Boxster. Had the emergency release lever on that not work when the battery froze in the winter once. Car sat for 3 months till it thawed out and I could charge it through the cigarette lighter enough to get the hood open.

True story.

 

I have the same problem, the gas cap spring doesn't work, I tried to pull the cord and it broke.

 

The cord only releases the lock on the gas door, it doesn’t open it. You still have to push the door to open.

 

How is one supposed to reach the door to push while pulling the cord in the truck. Broke my door too

 

You don’t need to push the door at the same time you pull the cord.

 

I didn’t think so. Mine wouldn’t open with the cord or without the cord. Snapped the lid right off

 

The cord only releases the lock actuator in the event it does not operate electronically (eg dead battery). If there’s some other issue, it doesn’t help.

 

Hi all, I've encountered the same on Sunday. I eventually got it open, and then found that the mechanism feels dry. The little thingy that protrudes out to catch the door also doesn't come out all the way, a little impotent! I think that it needs some lubricant, so I've applied some silicon oil and tried to work that into the mechanism, but it didn't seem to penetrate as I couldn't regain full function of it.

Do I need to dismantle the mechanism of the little impotent one and lubricate it thoroughly?

It does seem that many have struggled with the little impotent being dry, hopefully someone has figured out a fix already.