AI Damage2020 Chevrolet Trax: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Chevrolet Trax filed 98 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 589 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 98
- involving a crash
- 5
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 589
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 23% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 15% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 12% of all complaints
- 5 Fuel/propulsion system 11% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 9% of all complaints
- 7 Air bags 7% of all complaints
- 8 Tires 6% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 28 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 129.
- Engine: 23 complaints (23% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 53.
- Powertrain: 15 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 50.
- Service brakes: 12 complaints (12% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 14.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 11 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
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 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 98 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 28 | 1 | 129 |
| Engine | 23 | 1 | 53 |
| Powertrain | 15 | 0 | 50 |
| Service brakes | 12 | 0 | 14 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 11 | 0 | 4 |
| Suspension | 9 | 1 | 13 |
| Air bags | 7 | 2 | 1 |
| Tires | 6 | 0 | 20 |
| Vehicle speed control | 6 | 0 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Structure | 4 | 1 | 24 |
| Steering | 4 | 2 | 17 |
| Visibility | 4 | 0 | 13 |
| Exterior lighting | 2 | 0 | 10 |
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's vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle was uncontrollable. The contact stated that the failure occurred in a residential neighborhood. The contact's vehicle was damaged to the front passenger's side fender area.
My 2020 Chevy Trax did not deploy the air bags, at all, when hit cement wall head on. The impact to my chest area caused a wire from a chest surgery to snap, and is now dangling inside the middle of my chest, near my heart. I have the pictures & the witness was a Sheriff.
Something broke onthe suspension and I lost control of the car
The contact stated while driving approximately 60mph when the contact was involved in an accident which resulted in the driver-side air bag not deploying, and the driver-side seatbelt not locking. A police report was taken and the vehicle was towed to a tow lot, then was towed to an insurance lot.
Radiator, ta 80k Miles the seal broke and causing a coolant leak, upon looking at forums related to my car there are NUMEROUS complaints, my safety was at risk because my car could've overheated and shutdown when traveling and caused a major accident. The Trax is known for this issue, yet no recalls or anything.
Furthermore, the eroded, melted harness creates an un-fused short circuit risk, posing an ongoing thermal/fire hazard inside the rear bumper. The failure loop was officially reproduced and confirmed by Hertrich Chevrolet on September 29th, 2026.
I had dropped it off July 29, 2024, and picked it up August 20, 2024, after it was diagnosed and repaired for reduced-power issues, including shaking while driving. On August 21, 2024, I was driving normally when I attempted to brake. The brake pedal suddenly became resistant and the vehicle would not stop normally.
CRITICAL SAFETY INCIDENT / LIFE-THREATENING VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD. On January 2, 2026, I purchased a 2020 Chevrolet Trax. Within less than five months, while driving in active traffic, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic powertrain failure.
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 593 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 28% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Trax has 80 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 98, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
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 PI advised dealer technicians of possible causes of diesel fuel contamination in gasoline powered…
This PI advised dealer technicians of possible causes of diesel fuel contamination in gasoline powered vehicles and advises of warranty direction.
- 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…
NHTSA lists 589 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 2020 Chevrolet Trax?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, powertrain. Total complaints: 98. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (29%), infotainment or screen glitches (12%), overheating, coolant loss (10%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Chevrolet Trax?
NHTSA lists 589 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 2020 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 2020 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.