AI Damage2019 Chevrolet Trax: common problems
Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Trax filed 136 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and electrical system. The maker issued 549 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 136
- involving a crash
- 9
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 549
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 27% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 18% of all complaints
- 3 Suspension 14% of all complaints
- 4 Steering 12% of all complaints
- 5 Service brakes 10% of all complaints
- 6 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 7% of all complaints
- 8 Wheels 6% of all complaints
- Engine: 37 complaints (27% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 53.
- Electrical system: 25 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 95.
- Suspension: 19 complaints (14% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Steering: 16 complaints (12% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Service brakes: 14 complaints (10% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
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 136 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 | 37 | 1 | 53 |
| Electrical system | 25 | 1 | 95 |
| Suspension | 19 | 2 | 13 |
| Steering | 16 | 1 | 17 |
| Service brakes | 14 | 4 | 14 |
| Powertrain | 11 | 0 | 54 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 9 | 0 | 4 |
| Wheels | 8 | 0 | 34 |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 6 | 0 | 25 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 97 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 14 |
| Air bags | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| Equipment | 3 | 0 | 185 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I was in an accident and the seatbelt pretensioners activated but my airbags did not deploy. When i got my vehicle inspected the shop noticed my airbag system needed to be replaced saying the airbag diagnostic module, right & left front air bag impact sensors needed to be replaced.
The steering wheel air bag failed to deploy. The contact received a concussion and burns to the left arm. Medical attention was needed. The contact was unsure if the occupants in the other vehicle received any injuries. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled.
The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check battery light illuminated and the instrument panel lights started flashing before the power steering failed, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and drive into a ditch.
The contact stated that the brakes failed. When the contact drove at 30 mph, the vehicle in front of the contact made a sudden stop for a vehicle that was making a left turn.
Driver's airbag deployed with a loud pop and a cloud of smoke poured out from the airbag. My left forearm was burning and when I looked at my arm I watched my skin blister while the skin peeled away. 2nd degree burn was treated at local urgent care. The car I was driving is a company vehicle owned by my employer.
The contact stated that while traveling at an unknown high rate of speed, the brakes failed to operate as needed without warning. The contact crashed into another vehicle due to complete brake failure. The air bags deployed upon impact.
Car was bought brand new and had a manufacturing defect of the automatic transmission fluid coolant lines leaking, to the point that the car would not go forward or backwards, this problem was fixed under warranty, and also the car will surge forward at operating temperature, making it hard to stop at red lights, and…
-engine and overheating, coolant leaks, oil leaks, air-conditioned wasn't working properly! I spent over $8000 on repairs for a car that's 7 years old! I dont have that kind of money! What happened to Chevrolet??? They lost a long time customer!
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 461 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 22% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Trax has 80 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 136, 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.
- Suspension. Wheel alignment, control arms, subframe, even tire wear.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This Preliminary information communicates to the technician a repair direction when a failed programming…
This Preliminary information communicates to the technician a repair direction when a failed programming event occurs when replacing the Instrument Panel Cluster.
- 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 Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic module with no DTC'ss
- This Preliminary information communicates to the field on how to diagnosis a GPS issue with the Telematic…
- 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.
NHTSA lists 549 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 2019 Chevrolet Trax?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, electrical system, suspension. Total complaints: 136. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (20%), infotainment or screen glitches (10%), smoke, burning smell, fire (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 Chevrolet Trax?
NHTSA lists 549 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 2019 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 2019 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.