AI Damage2018 Chevrolet Trax: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Trax filed 102 complaints with NHTSA, most often about suspension and engine. The maker issued 575 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 102
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 575
What fails most often
- 1 Suspension 33% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 29% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 4 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 9% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 9% of all complaints
- 7 Wheels 6% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- Suspension: 34 complaints (33% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
- Engine: 30 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 52.
- Electrical system: 18 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 99.
- Powertrain: 12 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 52.
- Steering: 9 complaints (9% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 15.
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 102 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 34 | 1 | 15 |
| Engine | 30 | 0 | 52 |
| Electrical system | 18 | 0 | 99 |
| Powertrain | 12 | 0 | 52 |
| Steering | 9 | 0 | 15 |
| Service brakes | 9 | 1 | 13 |
| Wheels | 6 | 0 | 36 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Electronic stability control | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 97 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 25 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 20 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
There was no warning light illuminated. The failure caused the contact’s parent to veer off the side of the road, which caused the vehicle to roll over several times before landing on a construction vehicle. The contact stated that all the air bags deployed during the rollover.
This pressure cascade has caused a total turbocharger failure, multi-gasket oil blowouts, water pump failure, and has now completely blown a critical coolant housing hose off its connection, causing total coolant evacuation. The vehicle is currently parked and available for inspection upon request.
The diver side fuse box started a fire in the vehicle. The tracking control system light was flashing on and the vehicle lost power. Filed claim with insurance company. Insurance company issued a total loss and took possession of the vehicle.
There are known issues with the control arms on these vehicles and I have had a clunk any time I hit the slightest bump or crack and it is especially bad when my wheels are turned. There is no recall linked to my vin but this is the exact issue that has been recalled on other vins.
All of these are causing my car to be loud and burning smell, causing unsafe driving conditions for me and my children. Online states that the control arms are an issue with this vehicle make and model and have been recalled, however my VIN has not been recalled and I want to report this.
Now the weld is cracked on both driver and passenger sides and it making a clunking sound. I do not feel safe to drive this vehicle. This problem should of been fixed when the recall came out, they should of replaced with new parts. My husband [name] the problem and found the cracks. I took photos to document it.
My check engine light came on, I took my vehicle to Ken Ganley Chevrolet because that is where I purchased it. They claim they have no record I bought it there and at first refused service. I provided my loan documents that state I purchased it.
The contact used the parking brake to slow and stop the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. An independent mechanic was contacted to diagnose the vehicle. A dealer was not notified of the issue. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired.
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 569 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 27% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Trax has 80 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 102, above average.
What to check before buying
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- 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.
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 575 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Chevrolet Trax?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: suspension, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 102. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (25%), smoke, burning smell, fire (9%), steering or power steering problems (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Chevrolet Trax?
NHTSA lists 575 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 2018 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 2018 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.