Chevrolet TRAX Reliability by YearBest & worst years, problems & recalls — NHTSA data
Comparing used Chevrolet TRAX options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Free VIN check
Found a Chevrolet TRAX? Check that exact car.
Model-year trends show patterns — they can't tell you whether this car was crashed, flooded, or rolled back. A VIN check can.
- Accident & damage history
- Odometer rollback records
- Open recalls & title brands
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Chevrolet TRAX has 728 owner complaints and 8 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2024 drew the most complaints; 2022 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Chevrolet
- Model
- TRAX
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 728
- Safety recall campaigns
- 8
- Crash-related complaints
- 52
- Fire-related complaints
- 21
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2024 (166 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2022 (9 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
By model year
Chevrolet TRAX: which years to avoid & which to buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA NCAP crash test ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
Source: nhtsa.gov/ratings
What the complaint data suggests
PoorThe CHEVROLET TRAX has 728 NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. 52 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 728 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 8 federal recall campaigns
- 52 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
Problems by model year (best vs. worst)
Source: NHTSA public complaints database. Updated: Aug 2026
Safety recalls
NHTSA safety recalls
8 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
AIR BAGS
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
Common problems
What goes wrong most often
The vehicle systems owners complain about most, ranked from all 728 NHTSA complaints — these are the areas to inspect first on a used car.
Owner complaints
NHTSA complaint reports
728 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle hesitated while accelerating, and the RPM was elevated. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the turbo was designed to maintain heat. The vehicle was not repaired due to the lack of a fault code. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated when the vehicle was started, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact stated while driving to the dealer, the contact noticed smoke coming the exhaust pipe and there was misfire coming from the engine. The vehicle was towed to a second dealer; however, the vehicle had not been diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the contact became aware of a tiny crack on the passenger’s side of the windshield. The contact did not think much of the crack at first; however, over time, the crack started to expand. The local dealer was not contacted, and the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 29,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle failed to operate as designed. The trunk light illuminated, and the message to “Keep Eyes on the Road” was displayed, because it might cause a serious accident or death. The contact stated that her garage was broken into, and there was a key fob in the glove compartment, and shortly after the break-in, the vehicle stopped operating properly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle needed to be re-coded. The vehicle was re-coded along with the key fob; however, the failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired for the most recent failure. The contact believed that the OnStar system had been hacked. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 47,000.
The contact owns a 2022 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle independently decelerated and lost motive power. The check engine warning light was illuminated. In addition, the contact stated that several unknown warning lights were later illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and was diagnosed with battery failure. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact wanted a second opinion, and the vehicle was taken to two independent mechanics; however, the contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The contact was informed that the battery was in proper working condition. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
My engine light is on due to Evaporative Emissions (EVAP) Leak Detection Pump. This has been an issue in the Chevrolet Trax previously and it is currently effecting my vehicle.
Read 14 more owner reports
The check engine light came on showing codes p 146 b,d,e,f The dealership looked at the car and said the purge pump needs replaced and ordered a part that is on back order and won’t be delivered in an undetermined date. We have now lost a considerable amount of gas mileage and the dealership it may be the fuel pump. They say if it is it won’t be covered by warranty. They have said the car is safe to drive on the other issue.
THE EVAP PURGE PUMP SYSTEM FAILURE: it is available for inspection upon request. Pump recirculates engine unburned gasoline fumes to be re-burned by engine. Safety/risk - unburned fumes. Yes, on 07/23/23, a loud explosion was heard coming from underneath the vehicle and said problem was then confirmed by an auto part store by inspecting for a diagnostic code. On 08/01/23 the problem was confirmed by Ingersoll Auto Danbury, Ct. 06810; still awaiting for EVAP-PURGE-PUMP-Part to be received by the above dealership for future repair (repair part not received as of 08/30/23) still driving vehicle until repair. After the pump failure, the dashboard engine light appeared.
Had a head-on collision and the airbags failed to deploy. Everyone was highly surprised that the airbags didn't work and told me where to report the safety issue. Unknown if the car has been retested or inspected after the incident.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. While the contact's spouse was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was involved in a crash. While the driver was attempting to avoid striking a deer, the vehicle crashed into a barbed wire fence. The air bags did not deploy. In addition, the contact stated that the engine detached from the vehicle after the crash. The vehicle was towed to a local tow yard. The driver was transported to the local medical center. The driver sustained injuries to the neck and the middle of the back and burns on the left side of the neck from the seat belt. A Police report was filed; however, the information was unavailable. The vehicle was not inspected by the insurance company. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 101,000.
The contact owns Ac condenser became inoperable cluster Mask (ICM). The dealer diagnosed with a failed internal cluster mask. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the driver's side roof rack exterior trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the dealer informed the contact that the manufacturer would partially cover the cost of the repair. The contact declined to pay a fee because the contact believed that the failure was a factory defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
The vehicle has 2 permanent codes. One is a communication blackout, the other code means the hardware is melting. GM is doing a formal inspection in April. The Ucode meant that the engine stopped talking to the transmission or visa versa. The vehicle “ran my daughter and I” off the highway into the dirt, on 2 different occasions. They are described as “catastrophic engine failures”. The last one occurred on MLK Jr Day 2026, before the vehicle was permanently grounded. It could have been fatal. GM is doing a formal investigation to see what liability the have for it because the vehicle is now considered a “lemon”. There were no external (dashboard) warnings before the events, but, there may have been internal ones that require a professional grade scanner to detect. The permanent Ucode, which causes a communication blackout, never appeared in the vehicles memory, on a scanner, until AFTER the local GM franchise conducted “repairs” (unsuccessfully) to fix the vehicle. (It wouldnt start, which is often a symptom of a Permanent UCode. The GM investigation will determine if the dealership knew the safety liability, (the permanent Ucode) and they tried bypassing or ignoring it, or, if they CAUSED the safety defect. Also, the vehicle is now showing a Permanent PCode, which means it is now a potential fire hazard.
The Turbo Charger failed suddenly without a prior display of a warning light and was replaced by an independent service center in June 2025. I received a letter from GM in November 2025 stating there was a known "condition" that may cause the Turbo Charger to need replacing but a recall was not issued. On 1/22/26 the vehicle suddenly went into "Limp Mode" while driving. The Throttle Body Injection Unit, Engine Coolant Water Outlet, and Coolant were replaced. The coolant had been topped off on 1/20/26. On 1/27/26 the vehicle began shuddering and lost power while I was driving on the highway. As I attempted to get to a gas station off of the next exit, it intermittently lost power and began smoking under the hood. It seemed to be overheating but there is no temperature gauge on the display. I had it towed to my service center again. At that time, four spark plugs and an ignition coil were replaced. After these repairs, I have continued to have significant power issues, the engine warning light has come back on, and the "Service Brake Assist" warning light has come on. Additionally, the instrument panel frequently goes blank or displays what can best be described as "static" and the A/C and heat do not work, making it difficult to defrost and defog the windshield. The wiper fluid will not come out even though the reservoir is full. Due to prohibitive diagnostic fees at the dealership, which I was told would not be waived or reimbursed, I have continued to utilize my independent service center to maintain basic drivability. My service center has advised me that the engine may fail completely within a short time frame. I have reported these issues to the manufacturer and have been assigned a case number. I'm concerned that this may indicate a potential safety defect and/or premature engine failure affecting my vehicle and others of the same model. I'm submitting this complaint for documentation and safety tacking.
The contact owns a 2021 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, while the roads were clear, dry, and the weather was good, the engine seized, and the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to 55 MPH. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond and continued driving forward. While driving at 50 MPH, the failure reoccurred. The engine and stabili-trak illuminated after the vehicle came to a complete stop. The local dealer was contacted regarding loaner vehicles on two occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was scanned, and DTC: TCM U0101 and P0700 were retrieved. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was referred to the local dealer and the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 68,000.
Check engine light keeps coming on. Crankshaft sensor is the problem according to the code but the dealership says it’s the catalyst converter. Also my low power engine light came on.
At roughly 20,000 miles, my cars' carplay connection begain to intermittently disconnect. Never could get it to reproduce the same results when at the dealership. At roughly 60,000 miles the VCU (vehicle cockpit unit) began glitching. It would flicker, go black and then come back after a few seconds. Now at 92,xxx miles (don't know how many miles because it's black right now) its off more than its on. I can't get access to important vehicle information including digital speedometer, milage, tire pressure, oil life span, miles left until my gas tank is empty, and more. This makes it impossible to adhere to an oil change done at proper intervals, knowing my exact speed when driving, or if I'm about to run out of gas. And i cant see my tire pressure if it fluctuates before the tire pressure sensor goes off, possibly preventing me from getting to safety BEFORE i have a flat tire. GM has a recall for the screens on the newer 2024 and 2025 Trax, but this has been an issue in the Chevy Trax since around 2016. Also while driving in rain or wet conditions, the side detection shuts off and the screen will say "Side Detection System Unavailable" and no longer works. I have not been able to take my car to the dealership because they want too keep it and I don't have another way to get to work or get groceries. This car is my lifeline.
UNKNOWN I’ve had my car for 11 months. When I first got the car I got it fully inspected and there were minor issues like tires and brakes. However, now the ac compressor is completely damaged and there may be contamination in my lines. This is not an owner issue. I take really good care of my car. I just don’t know how this could’ve happened if this wasn’t a manufacturer related issue.
The instrument panel where the digital speed, tire pressure, mileage etc.. is displayed goes black. Sometimes it comes back on and sometimes it stays off for hours
The front exhaust flex pipe leaked by a corrosive hole that allowed exhaust and CO carbon monoxide to escape making the drivers dizzy, nauseated, and with a headache. This also caused the vehicle to smoke, run rough and stall in traffic. This also required the post 02 sensor to be replaced.
Showing 20 of 728 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check the exact car
Before you buy, check the exact Chevrolet TRAX
These pages show model-year patterns across 10 years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
The basics
How to read this data
Complaints, recalls, investigations — here’s what each number actually tells you about a used Chevrolet TRAX, in plain English.
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Chevrolet TRAX has 728 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Chevrolet TRAX has 8 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 52 of the Chevrolet TRAX's 728 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Chevrolet TRAX vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Chevrolet TRAX vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Chevrolet TRAX has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Compare
Buyers also compare
How does the Chevrolet TRAX stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
By state
Check a Chevrolet TRAX by state
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Chevrolet TRAX.
Research more
Keep researching before you buy
Compare brands and categories, then check the exact car's history by VIN.
Chevrolet TRAX reliability — frequently asked questions
Is the Chevrolet TRAX reliable?
Poor. The Chevrolet TRAX has 728 NHTSA owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns across model years. A commonly reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Use year-level data as a pattern guide, then verify the exact car with a VIN check before purchase.
Which Chevrolet TRAX years to avoid?
Years with the most NHTSA complaints: 2024 (166 complaints), 2019 (133 complaints), 2017 (111 complaints). Use these years as a shortlist for deeper inspection, and always run a VIN check on the exact vehicle before purchase.
What are the most common Chevrolet TRAX problems?
Top reported issues: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (196 complaints); ENGINE (195 complaints); UNKNOWN OR OTHER (125 complaints).
Does the Chevrolet TRAX have recalls?
Yes — 8 NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the Chevrolet TRAX. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.