NHTSA holds 959 complaints for the Chevy Trax from the 2015 to 2026 model years, and no single year stands out: among the 2015 to 2021 models, the highest is the 2019 with 134, against a median of 101. The newer 2024 has already collected 169, led by the electrical system. Across the model, 154 complaints mention the check-engine light and 97 mention the turbocharger. The recall record centers on two campaigns for improperly welded front lower control arms on 2015 to 2019 models and on air bag sensing module problems on 2015 to 2017 and 2019 cars. NHTSA has opened no defect investigations.
Chevy Trax Common Problems and Years to Avoid (NHTSA Data)
By the founder of CarWorthItPublished
Short answer
No Chevy Trax model year stands out in NHTSA owner complaints: none drew twice the median (101). The most complained-about years are 2019 (134 complaints), 2016 (117) and 2017 (113). The components owners report most are engine (267), electrical system (243) and power train (99). NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2015 to 2026 model years.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls and defect investigations for the 2015 to 2026 Chevy Trax, 959 complaints in all, pulled September 28, 2026.
Chevy Trax complaints and recalls by model year
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation and distinct recall campaigns, for every model year with records, counted on September 28, 2026. The median model year up to 2021 drew 101 complaints; a year is marked to avoid when it is one of the three highest and drew at least twice that. Years after 2021 have had less time to collect complaints, so they are judged only if they already pass the same line.
| Model year | Verdict | Complaints | Recalls | Crash / fire / injury reports | Most-reported components |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Too new to judge | 16 | 0 | 3 / 0 / 2 | Service brakes (5), Fuel/propulsion system (3), Air bags (3) |
| 2025 | Too new to judge | 86 | 1 | 10 / 4 / 8 | Electrical system (30), Engine (15), Forward collision avoidance (11) |
| 2024 | Too new to judge | 169 | 1 | 9 / 7 / 8 | Electrical system (64), Engine (48), Exterior lighting (17) |
| 2022 | Too new to judge | 9 | 0 | 1 / 0 / 0 | Engine (4), Fuel/propulsion system (3), Hydraulic (1) |
| 2021 | Fewest complaints | 24 | 0 | 5 / 1 / 3 | Electrical system (9), Engine (6), Service brakes (6) |
| 2020 | Typical | 94 | 0 | 5 / 2 / 4 | Electrical system (26), Engine (21), Power train (15) |
| 2019 | Above median | 134 | 2 | 9 / 2 / 7 | Engine (35), Electrical system (25), Suspension (19) |
| 2018 | Typical | 101 | 2 | 2 / 2 / 2 | Suspension (34), Engine (29), Electrical system (18) |
| 2017 | Typical | 113 | 3 | 10 / 3 / 5 | Engine (43), Electrical system (25), Steering (19) |
| 2016 | Typical | 117 | 5 | 9 / 2 / 4 | Engine (43), Electrical system (21), Air bags (19) |
| 2015 | Typical | 96 | 7 | 13 / 2 / 6 | Electrical system (23), Engine (22), Power train (18) |
Counts are raw totals and are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, so a big-selling year draws more complaints than a slow one. Crash, fire and injury columns count complaints that report one, as filed by the owner.
Check the value and recall status of a specific Chevy Trax
Model-year counts cannot tell you about the car in front of you. Enter its 17-character VIN for the free report: the exact year, trim and engine it was built with, the safety recalls NHTSA lists for its year, make and model, its crash-test ratings and running costs. No account. Then, from $2.99, see what that Chevy Trax is worth at its mileage near your ZIP code, with the listings behind the number, and whether the asking price is fair. The $6.99 Full Report also checks that VIN for recalls still outstanding.
2024: the highest count so far, mostly electrical
The 2024 is too new to judge against older years, yet it already has 169 complaints, more than any other Trax year. Of those, 64 are filed under the electrical system and 48 under the engine. It leads the complaints that mention the infotainment screen, radio or backup camera (30 of 101), engine failure, seizure or knocking (24 of 53), fire, smoke or a burning smell (17 of 71) and stalling or loss of power (14 of 66), and it has 7 of the model's 25 fire reports. Recall 23V744000 covers the 2024 for Virtual Cockpit Unit Module software that may make the instrument panel display go blank at startup or while driving. These are raw totals, not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
2015 to 2019: check-engine light, turbocharger and steering
The engine is the top complaint category for the 2016 (43), 2017 (43) and 2019 (35). Complaints that mention the check-engine light peak at 28 each for the 2016 and 2017 and 22 for the 2019, and the 97 that mention the turbocharger follow the same years: 19 for the 2017, 19 for the 2019 and 17 for the 2016. Steering mentions also peak in the 2016 (18), 2017 (16) and 2019 (14). On the 2015, recall 15V146000 covers a steering column housing that may contact and wear the power steering printed circuit board.
Front lower control arm recalls
The 2018 is the only year where suspension is the top complaint category (34), and it has 31 of the 78 complaints that mention ball joints, control arms or suspension. Two recalls cover this part: 19V652000 for the 2015 to 2018 and 19V312000 for the 2017 to 2019. In both, a joint in one or both front lower control arms may have been improperly welded and may break, partially separating the lower control arm from the vehicle.
Air bag sensing module recalls
Three campaigns involve the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM). Under 16V651000 (2015 to 2017), certain driving conditions may cause the SDM software to run a diagnostic test during which the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners would not deploy in a crash. 17V437000 then covered 2015 and 2016 cars that may not have received the complete software update from that remedy. On the 2019, 18V774000 covers an SDM that may not have been turned off manufacturing mode, which would prevent the air bags from deploying.
What to check on a used Chevy Trax
- Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup, which lists any recall not yet repaired on that car (see what else a free VIN check shows). Confirm 16V651000 on a 2015 to 2017, 17V437000 on a 2015 or 2016 and 18V774000 on a 2019.
- On a 2015 to 2019, confirm the control arm campaign for that year, 19V652000 or 19V312000, and listen for knocks from the front suspension over bumps.
- On a 2016, 2017 or 2019, ask whether the check-engine light has come on and whether any turbocharger work has been done.
- On a 2024, start the car several times, confirm the instrument panel display comes on each time, and ask whether 23V744000 was completed.
- On a 2025, put the car in reverse and check the rearview camera image, which recall 26V539000 covers for a distorted or blank display.
- Before you settle on a price, check the seller's asking price against the Chevy Traxs for sale near you with the used car price check.
Then check what a specific Trax is worth by VIN. The valuation, from $2.99, prices that VIN at its mileage near your ZIP code against cars for sale.
What Chevy Trax owners report most
NHTSA files each complaint under one or more component categories. Across all 959 Chevy Trax complaints, these are the most common:
| NHTSA component | Complaints | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 267 | 27.8% |
| Electrical system | 243 | 25.3% |
| Power train | 99 | 10.3% |
| Suspension | 89 | 9.3% |
| Service brakes | 88 | 9.2% |
| Steering | 83 | 8.7% |
| Air bags | 67 | 7.0% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 63 | 6.6% |
| Vehicle speed control | 43 | 4.5% |
| Structure | 35 | 3.6% |
The categories are broad, so the owners' own descriptions were also searched for specific symptoms. These are counts of complaints whose text mentions each one, not diagnoses, and one complaint can mention several.
| What the complaint describes | Complaints | Share | Model years with the most |
|---|---|---|---|
| Check-engine light | 154 | 16.1% | 2016 (28), 2017 (28), 2019 (22) |
| Brakes | 114 | 11.9% | 2024 (18), 2020 (16), 2015 (15) |
| Infotainment screen, radio or backup camera | 101 | 10.5% | 2024 (30), 2025 (18), 2016 (14) |
| Steering | 99 | 10.3% | 2016 (18), 2017 (16), 2019 (14) |
| Turbocharger | 97 | 10.1% | 2017 (19), 2019 (19), 2016 (17) |
| Ball joints, control arms or suspension | 78 | 8.1% | 2018 (31), 2019 (16), 2017 (12) |
| Fire, smoke or a burning smell | 71 | 7.4% | 2024 (17), 2017 (10), 2019 (9) |
| Air bags | 69 | 7.2% | 2016 (15), 2015 (12), 2025 (8) |
| Stalling or loss of power while driving | 66 | 6.9% | 2024 (14), 2016 (13), 2017 (11) |
| Coolant leaks or overheating | 58 | 6.0% | 2020 (11), 2019 (10), 2017 (9) |
Chevy Trax recalls (11 campaigns)
Every recall campaign NHTSA lists for the Chevy Trax, newest first, with the model years it covers and NHTSA's own description of the defect, shortened. A recall on the model is not proof a given car was affected or left unrepaired: check a specific car by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or in the free CarWorthIt VIN report.
| Campaign | Reported | Model years | Component | The defect, in NHTSA's words |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26V539000 | August 20, 2026 | 2025 | Back over prevention | The rearview camera screen may display a distorted or blank image. A rearview image that does not display correctly reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 23V744000 | November 6, 2023 | 2024 | Electrical system | 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 blank instrument panel will not show critical information, such as vehicle speed and warning lights, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| 19V652000 | September 12, 2019 | 2015 to 2018 | Suspension | 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. |
| 19V312000 | April 18, 2019 | 2017 to 2019 | Suspension | 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. |
| 18V774000 | November 1, 2018 | 2019 | Air bags | 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. |
| 17V437000 | July 10, 2017 | 2015 to 2016 | Air bags | Without the update, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash. |
| 16V651000 | September 8, 2016 | 2015 to 2017 | Air bags | In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash. |
| 16V422000 | June 10, 2016 | 2015 to 2016 | Electrical system | 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) numbers 208 "Occupant Crash Protection" and 114 "Theft Protection." |
| 16V257000 | April 28, 2016 | 2015 to 2016 | Equipment | 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114 "Theft Protection." |
| 15V162000 | March 20, 2015 | 2015 | Equipment | The affected vehicles have tire placards that do not provide the rim size information for the front or rear wheels. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less." |
| 15V146000 | March 13, 2015 | 2015 | Steering | The steering column assembly housing may contact the power steering printed circuit board causing the circuit board to wear. The circuit board wear may cause a sudden loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash. |
NHTSA defect investigations
NHTSA's investigation file lists no defect investigations covering these Chevy Trax model years.
How these numbers were counted
Complaints: NHTSA's complaints API for NHTSA model names TRAX, TRAX ICE, each complaint counted once per model year; hybrid and plug-in versions, which NHTSA files separately, are not included. Recalls: distinct campaign numbers from NHTSA's recalls databasefor the same names and years. Investigations: NHTSA's defect investigation file. All pulled September 28, 2026. These are counts of reports, not failure rates, and they say nothing about any individual car. For that, check the VIN.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the Chevy Trax?
NHTSA files the most Trax complaints under the engine (267) and the electrical system (243), then the power train (99) and suspension (89). Of the 959 complaints on file, 154 mention the check-engine light, 114 mention brakes and 101 describe the infotainment screen, radio or backup camera.
What Chevy Trax years should I avoid?
No year stands out: none of the 2015 to 2021 models reached twice the median of 101 complaints. The highest three are the 2019 (134), 2016 (117) and 2017 (113), and no 2022 or newer year has crossed that line either, although the 2024 already has 169.
How many recalls does the Chevy Trax have?
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the 2015 to 2026 Trax, and the 2015 is covered by the most, 7. Among them, 16V651000 covers 2015 to 2017 cars whose air bag module software may run a diagnostic test during which the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners would not deploy in a crash.
Do Chevy Trax owners report turbocharger problems?
In the NHTSA data, 97 complaints mention the turbocharger, 10.1% of the 959 on file, most often for the 2017 (19), 2019 (19) and 2016 (17). None of the 11 recall campaigns covers the turbocharger.