Chevrolet Trax engine problems, 2016–2026
271 of the 876 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Chevrolet Trax 2016–2026 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2024 (56), 2016 (49), 2017 (47). Filed under the same heading across these years: no document yet. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Chevrolet Trax engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | — | — | 2 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 15 | 17% | — | 39 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 in depth | 56 | 32% | — | 114 TSBs | the record → |
| 2022 | 5 | 56% | — | 161 TSBs | the year → |
| 2021 | 7 | 29% | — | 185 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 22 | 23% | — | 155 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 40 | 30% | — | 184 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 30 | 30% | — | 227 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 47 | 42% | 45k | 246 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 | 49 | 41% | 70k | 267 TSBs | the year → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2017: 2 · 2018: 6 · 2019: 19 · 2020: 11 · 2021: 13 · 2022: 16 · 2023: 26 · 2024: 39 · 2025: 73 · 2026: 66
Across the model years, half of the 72 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 27,000 and 71,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
While driving vehicle on the Interstate without warning the engine failed. When this occurred the vehicle was being driven at 65 MHP and a strong vibration began that was felt through the steering wheel. Additionally, the vehicle was in the inside lane and had to be maneuvered to get over and to the shoulder.
The contact owns a 2024 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the stabili-trak system warning light illuminated. The stabili-trak not functioning, the engine, and steering was reduced. The vehicle was violently shaking and rumbling while driving. The information screen went black while driving.
Check engine lot came on and Trax going through gas faster than usual. Did a test got the code P0420. Most likely the O2 sensor but could possibly be the catalytic converter. Wanted to write a report since I seen someone else write a report about the same code in december of 2020
When I turn left, the right side makes a popping noise around the ball joint. Reservoir coolant tank leaks, and no tempature guage.. There is no way to tell if my car over heats until the light comes on and I have to pull over then? I have never seen a vehicle not have a tempature guage!!
The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, he noticed smoke coming from under the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was notified of an oil leak in the engine compartment.
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsNothing filed under this heading on these model years.
Other systems with a record on the Chevrolet Trax
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Chevrolet Trax problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Chevrolet Trax years have the most engine complaints?
2024, 56; 2016, 49; 2017, 47. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2022 (56%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Chevrolet Trax?
No recall campaign is filed under this heading on any of these model years. A bulletin is not a recall: it carries no federal duty to repair for free.
When do engine problems show up on the Chevrolet Trax?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 47,350 miles across the model years; half of them between 27,000 and 71,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.