Chevrolet Trax reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 978 complaints about the Chevrolet Trax with NHTSA since 2015, most often about engine and electrical system. Chevrolet has filed 11 warranty extensions and 17 service campaigns for it, and there are 11 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Chevrolet Trax? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Trax a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2015 on.
- Owner complaints
- 978
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 11
- Filed by Chevrolet
- Service campaigns
- 17
- Filed by Chevrolet
- Safety recalls
- 11
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Trax with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 17 | Fuel and propulsion (18%) | 0 | 4 |
| 2025 | 89 | Electrical system (37%) | 1 | 8 |
| 2024 | 177 | Electrical system (37%) | 1 | 6 |
| 2023 | 0 | — | 0 | 4 |
| 2022 | 9 | Engine (44%) | 0 | 5 |
| 2021 | 24 | Electrical system (38%) | 0 | 6 |
| 2020 | 96 | Electrical system (29%) | 0 | 5 |
| 2019 | 135 | Engine (27%) | 2 | 6 |
| 2018 | 101 | Suspension (34%) | 2 | 8 |
| 2017 | 114 | Engine (39%) | 3 | 6 |
| 2016 | 120 | Engine (38%) | 5 | 4 |
| 2015 | 96 | Electrical system (24%) | 7 | 9 |
| 2014 | 0 | — | 2 | 6 |
| 2013 | 0 | — | 1 | 7 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Trax model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Chevrolet
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Chevrolet filed with NHTSA for the Trax, in its own words. A warranty extension means Chevrolet pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionMay 2024· Body and structure· model years 2017–2025
This service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2024· Engine and cooling· model years 2017–2018
Special Coverage - Certain vehicles equipped with a 1.4L engine may have a condition that could cause the turbocharger to fail.
- Warranty extensionJul 2023· Engine and cooling· model years 2021
Special Coverage - Certain vehicles may have a condition that could cause the evaporative emissions purge pump to fail.
- Warranty extensionJun 2023· Engine and cooling· model years 2020
Special Coverage. Certain 2019 model year Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse vehicles equipped with a 3.6L engine (RPO LFY), and certain 2020 model year Buick Encore and Chevrolet Sonic / Trax vehicles equipped with a 1.4L engine (RPO LUV), may have a condition that could…
- Warranty extensionOct 2020· Equipment and accessories· model years 2015–2019
Special Coverage Adjustment. Certain vehicles, there may be a coolant leak at the radiator. Dealers are to replace condenser, radiator, fan, charge air cooler and piping, and A/C pipes. The repairs will be made at no charge to the customer.
- Warranty extensionJul 2020· Electrical system· model years 2014
Special Coverage - Certain 2014 model year Buick Encore, 2011 - 2014 model year Chevrolet Cruze, 2012 - 2014 model year Chevrolet Sonic, and 2014 model year Chevrolet TRAX vehicles, equipped with a 1.4L Engine (RPO LUJ or LUV), may have a condition where cracks can develop in…
- Warranty extensionMar 2020· Engine and cooling· model years 2015–2019
Special Coverage - certain vehicles there may be a coolant leak at the radiator. Dealers are to replace condenser, radiator, fan, charge air cooler and piping, and A/C pipes.
- Warranty extensionSep 2016· Electrical system· model years 2013
25160 01 - Special Coverage. The vehicle may hesitate and go into reduced engine power mode; i.e.
- Warranty extensionAug 2016· Engine· model years 2013
25160 - Special Coverage. Some vehicles, may have a condition in which the vehicle may hesitate and go into reduced engine power mode; i.e. driver information center message ?ENGINE POWER IS REDUCED,? malfunction indicator lamp, and reduced acceleration while driving.
- Warranty extensionJun 2015· Seat belts· model years 2013–2015
14567A - special coverage (revised parts information section).
- Warranty extensionJun 2015· Seat belts· model years 2013–2015
14567 - special coverage. On certain 2013-2015 Model year chevrolet trax and buick encore vehicles, the rear-seat-belt buckle cover may be broken and fully separated from the rear-seat-belt buckle due to seat-belt buckle head contact between the iso fixture and the seat-hinge…
- Service campaignFeb 2026· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2025–2026
Service Update. On certain vehicles listed above, under certain driving conditions and due to differences in flow rate characteristics, the fuel injectors may not be able to properly optimize engine fueling. Dealers will reprogram the engine control module.
- Service campaignJan 2026· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2025–2026
Service Update. On certain vehicles listed above, under certain driving conditions and due to differences in flow rate characteristics, the fuel injectors may not be able to properly optimize engine fueling. Dealers will reprogram the engine control module.
- Service campaignJan 2026· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2025–2026
Service Update. On certain vehicles listed above, under certain driving conditions and due to differences in flow rate characteristics, the fuel injectors may not be able to properly optimize engine fueling. Dealers will replace the engine’s three fuel injectors.
- Service campaignDec 2025· Fuel and propulsion· model years 2026
Service Update. On certain vehicles listed above, under certain driving conditions and due to differences in flow rate characteristics, the fuel injectors may not be able to properly optimize engine fueling. Dealers will replace the engine’s three fuel injectors.
- Service campaignOct 2025· Engine· model years 2021
Certain vehicles, equipped with a 1.4L engine, may have a condition that could cause the turbocharger to fail.
- Service campaignJun 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2018–2025
Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
- Service campaignJun 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2018–2025
Amendments to the Song-Beverly Act (SBA) California warranty law provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to submit a written notice to GM before filing a lawsuit seeking a vehicle repurchase.
- Service campaignMay 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2025
Certain vehicles may have a condition in which braking performance is reduced, vehicle top speed is limited, and MIL notification is provided to the customer. Dealers are to replace the brake Master Cylinder.
- Service campaignJan 2025· Other or unspecified· model years 2022
Special Coverage - Certain vehicles may have a condition that could cause the evaporative emissions purge pump to fail.
- Service campaignAug 2024· Electrical system· model years 2013–2025
Vehicle Wide Programming (VWP) is a new process to update software on GM Vehicles.
- Service campaignAug 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2017–2018
Special Coverage - certain vehicles may have a condition that could cause the turbocharger to fail.
- Service campaignAug 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2024
Emission Recall - certain vehicles may have The engine control module may not properly control engine ignition timing following certain Auto Engine Stop/Start events.
- Service campaignMay 2024· Other or unspecified· model years 2024
Emission Recall - General Motors has decided to conduct a Voluntary Emission Recall involving certain vehicles with a 1.2L engine.
- Service campaignJun 2017· Electrical system· model years 2015
15086A - Customer Satisfaction Program. On certain passenger cars and light duty trucks, equipped with Gen 10 OnStar®, the embedded phone flash memory chip may become corrupted, causing the OnStar® system to become inoperative.
- Service campaignMar 2016· Electrical system· model years 2013–2016
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module.
- Service campaignAug 2015· Electrical system· model years 2013–2015
This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about vehicles that have a Diagnostic Trouble Code B101D stored in Telematics Communication Interface Control Module.
- Service campaignApr 2015· Electrical system· model years 2015
14395A - customer satisfaction program (revised labor time). On some 2015 Model year buick encore, lacrosse, regal, and verano; cadillac ats, cts, elr, escalade, srx and xts; chevrolet colorado, corvette, cruze, equinox, impala, malibu, silverado, sonic, spark, ss, suburban,…
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Trax model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Engine275 (28%)
- Electrical system251 (26%)
- Other or unspecified159 (16%)
- Transmission and drivetrain96 (10%)
- Suspension86 (9%)
- Brakes82 (8%)
- Steering73 (7%)
- Airbags52 (5%)
Safety recalls
11 recalls cover at least one Trax model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image.
The software in the Virtual Cockpit Unit Module (VCU) may cause the instrument panel display to intermittently go blank at vehicle startup or while driving.
A joint in one or both of the front lower control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower control arm from the vehicle.
A joint in one or both of the front lower-control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle.
The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
While being previously remedied for recall 16V-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition.
In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test.
The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition.
The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door.
The affected vehicles have tire placards that do not provide the rim size information for the front or rear wheels.
The steering column assembly housing may contact the power steering printed circuit board causing the circuit board to wear.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- EA21002Engineering analysis· opened Sep 2021, still open· Airbags· model years 2013
Desiccated Air Bag Inflator Rupture
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Chevrolet Trax has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Chevrolet Trax reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2015 on: 978 owner complaints, 11 warranty extensions and 17 service campaigns Chevrolet filed, and 11 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2024 (177), 2019 (135), 2016 (120). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Chevrolet Trax?
Across every model year since 2015, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name engine (28%), electrical system (26%), other or unspecified (16%). Chevrolet has filed 11 warranty extensions covering the Trax, listed on this page.
Which Trax model years have the most complaints?
2024 (177), 2019 (135), 2016 (120). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Trax with each other rather than with other models.
Has Chevrolet extended the warranty on the Trax?
Yes: body and structure (model years 2017–2025); engine and cooling (model years 2017–2018); engine and cooling (model years 2021), and 8 more. A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Trax?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 11 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.