AI DamageChevrolet Trax: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Chevrolet Trax across 11 model years: 881 owner complaints and 1,241 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 29% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 27% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 10% of all complaints
- 4 Suspension 9% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 8% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- Engine: 258 complaints (29% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 500.
- Electrical system: 236 complaints (27% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1,027.
- Powertrain: 85 complaints (10% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 401.
- Suspension: 82 complaints (9% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 117.
- Service brakes: 77 complaints (9% of all), 11 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 116.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.2 L · petrol · turbo · 3 cyl 2024–2026named in 2 complaints
- 1.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2015–2022named in 4 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed 2015–2026
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 881 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 258 | 4 | 500 |
| Electrical system | 236 | 6 | 1,027 |
| Powertrain | 85 | 2 | 401 |
| Suspension | 82 | 7 | 117 |
| Service brakes | 77 | 11 | 116 |
| Steering | 71 | 4 | 135 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 59 | 0 | 53 |
| Air bags | 55 | 32 | 10 |
| Visibility | 37 | 1 | 124 |
| Vehicle speed control | 37 | 2 | 12 |
| Structure | 30 | 5 | 201 |
| Exterior lighting | 28 | 0 | 93 |
| Engine and cooling | 22 | 0 | 747 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 21 | 6 | 18 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The contact stated that while driving approximately 25-35 MPH, the front center of the vehicle crashed into the center rear end of another vehicle; however, the air bags failed to deploy. The contact was distracted by an ambulance approaching and did not notice that the vehicle in front had braked.
The air bags did not deploy. In addition, the contact stated that the engine detached from the vehicle after the crash. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The driver was transported to the local medical center.
On XXX, [XXX] was applying her brakes to prepare to turn left into the fire station. Her vehicle suddenly steered to the left causing her vehicle to enter oncoming traffic. This action caused the Chevrolet Trax to collide head on with a passing vehicle.
Had a bumper to bumper collision that was caused by me, the cars computer sent a report to OnStar and OnStar said that they had airbag deployment alert going off in the car. However, the airbags never deployed.
They are described as “catastrophic engine failures”. The last one occurred on MLK Jr Day 2026, before the vehicle was permanently grounded. It could have been fatal. GM is doing a formal investigation to see what liability the have for it because the vehicle is now considered a “lemon”.
My insurance company did an inspection and said the accident was caused by engine failure and won’t cover damage. GM did inspection said it wasn’t their fault but won’t release their inspection report
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- PI created to guide technicians through radio restriction process
- This Preliminary information communicates to the technician a repair direction when a failed programming…
- This preliminary information is for technicians that may see DTCs that are history and should not perform…
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealers a procedure to reset the radio
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This PI is to instruct dealer on diagnostic procedures that need to be completed prior to replacing a…
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- This Preliminary Information provides the dealer information of the location of the rear seat child anchors
- This Preliminary information communicates to the technicians a diagnostic tip if a technician loses…
- This Preliminary information communicates to the technician the repairs direction for addressing a…
- This Preliminary information communicates to the technician a repair direction when a failed programming…
- This Preliminary information communicates to dealer to perform a MEC reset for wireless projection issues
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- Is $6,000 A FAIR Price for This 2016 Chevy Trax LT?amount per author: 6,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- 2016 chevy trax thermostat housing and engine coolant housing
- 2017 #chevy #trax with an intermittent #nocomms to #tcm #mobilemechanic
- 2021 Chevy trax Turbo!? #mechanic #diy #repair #mechaniclife #cartok #fix #autorepair
- Top 5 Problems Chevrolet Trax SUV 2015-2023 1st Generation
- 2025 Chevy Trax Copart Rebuild
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.