AI Damage2016 Chevrolet Trax: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Trax filed 120 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 795 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 120
- involving a crash
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 795
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 38% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 16% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 12% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 11% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 6% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 6% of all complaints
- Engine: 46 complaints (38% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 75.
- Electrical system: 24 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 154.
- Air bags: 19 complaints (16% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Steering: 14 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
- Powertrain: 13 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 56.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.4 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 120 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 | 46 | 0 | 75 |
| Electrical system | 24 | 0 | 154 |
| Air bags | 19 | 6 | 2 |
| Steering | 14 | 0 | 21 |
| Powertrain | 13 | 0 | 56 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 3 | 16 |
| Structure | 7 | 1 | 26 |
| Suspension | 7 | 1 | 18 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 7 | 0 | 4 |
| Electronic stability control | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| Exterior lighting | 4 | 0 | 9 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine and cooling | 3 | 0 | 110 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I had a 2016 chevrolet trax and I had a accident and it was to the front of my trax and the insurance totaled it but the air bags did not deployed. 2016 chevrolet trax the vin # [xxx] I was just seeing if they were a defective air bags in the car .
The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained long term back injuries that required medical attention. The party that crashed into the contact was not injured. It was unknown if a police report was filed.
I was slowing down to a red light and the brake froze, it would not continue to press down, I ended up hitting another car. I put the car in park, turned it off and turned it back on and the brake was still stuck.
Airbags right 11 airbags and not one when off and we both had seat belt on but I still managed to hit my head so hard I had an small indent in my head and u would think brand new car and 11 air bags u think you would b save ....?? But not in a chevy!!!! All cuz of the airbags and brakes were affected as well.
Was driving the car,when started losing power up a hill,started making a loud puttering noise..Check engine light and traction control along with tire light all came on,ran a diagnostic at auto store said it was the plugs,so bought plugs and changed them,still doing the same thing..went back for another diagnostic and…
for the 3 years i have had this car the engine has just died no sensors no engine lights no dashboard indicators bells whistles NOTHING it just stops running and wont start the dealership replaced it the first 2 years it happened this time they are trying to say we drove it overheating and that isnt true i have AAA…
The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the engine sputtered and the check engine warnig light illuminated. The vehic ewas taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed turbo charger. The vehicle was not repaired.
The vehicle lost communication to the transmission causing the check engine light to come on when the vehicle key was turned off the vehicle would not restart. There was no warning signs of this happening. The vehicle only had 70,000 miles on the odometer when this occured.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 501 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Trax has 80 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 120, above average.
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.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This PI provides Diagnostics tips on how the LIN bus works and how to diagnosis it
- This preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email GDS2 session logs into Technical Assistance
- PI to help diagnose A/C concern
- This preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size…
- This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a…
This Preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a GDS2 Session Log and upload to a Technical Assistance Case in CX Connect.
- This service bulletin provides information on Tire Sidewall Irregularities
- This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced…
This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have had multiple repair attempts that are being performed on customer’s vehicles that exhibit vibration conditions…
- The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle…
The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal for the delay.
- New Vehicle Monitoring Programs Section in IVH
- This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have…
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have an intermittent no crank, no start, or start stall concern with the security light coming on. Technician may…
- This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000…
This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
NHTSA lists 795 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
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
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, air bags. Total complaints: 120. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (28%), infotainment or screen glitches (10%), loss of power / limp mode (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
NHTSA lists 795 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Chevrolet Trax from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
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.