Chevrolet Trax
Problems & Worst Years
Every reported problem for the Chevrolet Trax, model year by model year — ranked from 225 federal NHTSA complaints across 2016–2024.
A turbocharger thread runs through the Chevrolet Trax's earlier complaint years. Turbocharger failure is the top-reported problem for 2016 (12 reports), appears again for 2017 (7), and shows up once more for 2019 (8) — three separate model years of owners reporting the same failure. Around it, each year adds its own flavor: the 2016 file (75 occurrences, three safety-severity problems) includes airbag system malfunctions (10) and steering wheel lock-up or seizure (9); the 2017 (48 occurrences) leads with electrical gremlins lighting up multiple warning lights (12) plus intermittent power steering failure and engine overheating; and the 2019 (76 occurrences) reports brake pedals traveling to the floorboard (11), suspension issues letting the vehicle drift off its line (11), and a steering pull to the right (10). The 2017 carries NHTSA recalls 19V312 and 19V652, and the 2019 carries 19V312 as well.
Then there's the 2024 — actually the highest-volume year on file at 86 occurrences, with two safety-severity problems. Its complaints look different: engine power reduction or outright failure leads at 18 reports, with 12 more describing engine failure from internal issues at safety severity. Instrument cluster failure (15), headlight malfunction (11), and general electrical issues (8) fill out the list, and recall 23V744 applies. For such a new vehicle, that's a notable early cluster around the engine and electronics.
Practical translation: on 2016–2019 examples, listen for turbocharger trouble, verify the steering feels consistent and assisted, and test brake pedal firmness; on a 2024, look for any power-reduction warnings and confirm the recall is done. Run every VIN through NHTSA's lookup regardless.
The usual caveats apply, and they cut both ways here: complaint counts reflect what owners filed, not true failure rates, and while the 2024's total looks high for its age, older years have had far longer to accumulate reports. A pre-purchase inspection and a clean service history are worth more than any model-year comparison.
Chevrolet Trax problems by year
Complaint volume by model year (bar = relative to the worst year). Theworst yearsare the most-complained-about, weighted by safety-risk problems.
| Year | Complaint volume | Problems | Safety / High | Most common problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016worst | 53 | 10 | 3/2 | Engine Turbocharger Failure Engine · 12 complaints |
| 2017worst | 42 | 11 | 3/3 | Electrical system issues leading to multiple warning lights Electrical · 12 complaints |
| 2019 | 52 | 10 | 0/4 | Electrical system display issues Electrical · 14 complaints |
| 2024worst | 78 | 12 | 2/3 | Engine Power Reduction or Failure Engine · 18 complaints |
Data source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) owner complaints and recalls, 2016–2024. Problem clustering and year rankings are derived from the complaint record; complaint volume reflects reports filed, not total incidence or fault rate. Vehicle image is illustrative.