Chevrolet Trax Complaints (2018)

102 consumer complaints on file.

#11770037October 9, 2026
POWER TRAIN, ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The vehicle suffers from an extreme, unresolved internal crankcase pressure defect stemming from the factory 1.4L Ecotec PCV system and intake manifold check valve. This pressure cascade has caused a total turbocharger failure, multi-gasket oil blowouts, water pump failure, and has now completely blown a critical coolant housing hose off its connection, causing total coolant evacuation. The vehicle is currently parked and available for inspection upon request. The safety of the driver and minority passengers is severely compromised. The vehicle actively smokes from under the hood when turned on, which worsens immediately when the cabin heater is utilized. This indicates highly flammable oil and coolant are leaking directly onto hot exhaust/turbo components, presenting an active vehicle fire hazard. Furthermore, the pressure defect previously caused a catastrophic engine oil blowout while traveling at highway speeds, risking sudden power loss, engine seizure, and traffic collisions. The vehicle is currently deemed completely unsafe to operate. The vehicle's core turbocharger failure was previously confirmed and replaced by an authorized manufacturer dealership under a factory warranty extension. However, the dealership failed to diagnose or repair the underlying PCV/intake pressure defect, causing the new components to fail immediately upon vehicle delivery. The manufacturer has been notified of the failure cascade but is refusing to inspect or intervene without requiring out-of-pocket consumer diagnostic fees. No police or insurance inspections have occurred. began over two years ago with random, intermittent check engine lights accompanied by random error codes, a high-pitched engine squeak, rough idling, severe fuel economy drops, and intermittent engine stalling. The engine eventually developed a heavy knocking sound resembling a diesel engine. Currently, the check engine lamp does not illuminate, but all physical symptoms remain active and increasing in sever
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11762613September 7, 2026
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Turbo failed
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11746862June 27, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
The diver side fuse box started a fire in the vehicle. The tracking control system light was flashing on and the vehicle lost power. Filed claim with insurance company. Insurance company issued a total loss and took possession of the vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11745169June 18, 2026
SUSPENSION
There are known issues with the control arms on these vehicles and I have had a clunk any time I hit the slightest bump or crack and it is especially bad when my wheels are turned. There is no recall linked to my vin but this is the exact issue that has been recalled on other vins. This makes driving the car with my children very unsafe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11741821June 3, 2026
WHEELS, SUSPENSION, ENGINE
Both my control arms are loose and wheel baring is bad, plus a cracked catalytic converter. All of these are causing my car to be loud and burning smell, causing unsafe driving conditions for me and my children. Online states that the control arms are an issue with this vehicle make and model and have been recalled, however my VIN has not been recalled and I want to report this. improperly welded joints can fatigue and break, causing the lower control arm to partially separate from the vehicle. This can lead to a sudden loss of steering control and increase the risk of a crash. I have not gotten in an accident, but was at risk of this happening. My car is being worked on and it will cost me $800 for these repairs for the issues related to the 2018 Chevy traxs. I would like this VIN to be recalled and receive a refund for the work done to my vehicle.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11740794May 29, 2026
STEERING
Power steering isn’t working
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739885May 25, 2026
STEERING, SUSPENSION
My lower control arm weld has cracked. It was checked shortly after purchase and passed inspection at the Chevy garage in Elkins, WV. Now the weld is cracked on both driver and passenger sides and it making a clunking sound. I do not feel safe to drive this vehicle. This problem should of been fixed when the recall came out, they should of replaced with new parts. My husband Inspected the problem and found the cracks. I took photos to document it. We found the problem on [XXX] but has been clunking for over a month INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717561February 12, 2026
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My check engine light came on, I took my vehicle to Ken Ganley Chevrolet because that is where I purchased it. They claim they have no record I bought it there and at first refused service. I provided my loan documents that state I purchased it. Tim was in the service department, I brought the car in and he had it looked at. He said the issue is the turbocharger, which is a known issue with this year/make/model that GM knows about. The repair was under warranty, completed and the car returned to me. Less than 2 weeks later the check engine light came on and the diagnostic gave the same error. I took it back to the dealership and I got 3 different answers. One person told me it was an exhaust issue that was causing the turbo to overheat (the car is kicking out excessive amounts of carbon monoxide), the second person told me there was no issue and they weren't sure why the check engine light went off, the third person said it seemed like the exhaust and the overheating was a safety issue and it shouldn't be driven. They ultimately refused the repair and said bring it back if it gets worse. I called GM corporate to report the dealership and ask for an actual repair. They told me to take it to another dealership to be looked at. Multiple other dealerships have refused because the case is open with the original dealership. That Ken Ganley Chevrolet dealer is refusing to acknowledge a repair is needed. The car is continuing to kick out excessive carbon monoxide and smells like burning when driving. The engine chugs and doesn't get up to full speed. I requested goodwill reimbursement for part of the car from GM for failure to service and an unsafe vehicle and they have offered no solution because other dealers won't give a second opinion. The car is not safe to drive and is not being repaired.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11717353February 11, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH and attempting to slow down, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond. The contact used the parking brake to slow and stop the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the residence. An independent mechanic was contacted to diagnose the vehicle. A dealer was not notified of the issue. The vehicle was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 135,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11716193February 6, 2026
ENGINE
The oil cooler/oil housing leaks oil on every single one of these vehicles, spanning many years, due to its plastic housing, mounted up against a hot engine. The cost of repair is between $2000-3000 at a dealership.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11715830February 5, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
Service Brake Assist message appeared on the dash, brakes got soft , vehicle would not stop. Check engine light came on. Dealership reported no codes were reported but the Power Brake Booster Vacuum Sensor & Hose Assembly needs replaced due to a sensor malfunction. Say it is not covered under any safety/service bulletin so we need to pay for it. Other make and models are covered under 17-NA-314, Special Coverage Adjustment N182202780, Product Safety Recall N202300860. All similar issues but none for the 2018 Chevy Trax. Feel this is a huge issue as it is a direct issue with safety. Brakes are a critical part of safety when on the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11711524January 16, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that the infotainment system was intermittently inoperable; however, the infotainment system and the instrument cluster had become inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty or a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,645.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11672479July 10, 2025
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
The vehicle check engine light came on. Engine light is for a repair to the turbo charger. After looking online I noticed some of the 2017 and 2018 Chevy Trax cars are afftected however the VIN for my car is not included. I want to report the problem to see if my car can be checked to see if it's a faulty part.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11669818June 27, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
The contact’s parents owned a 2018 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while a parent was driving 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the accelerator pedal was also simultaneously depressed the accelerator pedal. There was no warning light illuminated. The failure caused the contact’s parent to veer off the side of the road, which caused the vehicle to roll over several times before landing on a construction vehicle. The contact stated that all the air bags deployed during the rollover. The contact’s parent suffered several injuries and was taken to a local emergency room. The contact’s parents suffered back, neck, and rib injuries. The contact stated that a Police report was filed; however, the report number was not provided to the contact. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11666945June 14, 2025
STEERING
I was driving my car to the post office in Waikii Ranch in Kamuela Hawai’i no or around [XXX] When all of a sudden my steering went out and my car could hardly turn without great effort from me and I am [XXX] I noticed a warning light stating my power steering was not working and to drive with caution This was a horrible drive home as I live where there are many turns and hills Once I made it home I contacted a friend to get some power steering fluid to remedy what I thought was the answer to remedy this problem I later found out my vehicle A 2018 Chevrolet Trax VIN #[XXX] does not take power steering fluid as its electronic. I contacted a mechanic to come and check out my car He hooked my car up to his computer and found it was indeed the steering and he would have to research and get back to me as he had never fixed this issue He later got back to me and told me there’s a recall on my Vehicle 2018 Chevrolet trax for this exact issue and the contact the manufacturer. Upon contacting Chevrolet by text on May 14 2025 a woman named Sherral told me there’s was indeed a recall for 2018 Chevy Trax however my vehicle is not included as it has a different vehicle Identification number so not included. Take it to a dealer and have it fixed at my cost. I did exactly that and the dealer, DELUZ Chevrolet in Hilo Hawai’i repair and replaced the FAULTY Steering unit that was DEFECTIVE in there own words. I have all supporting documents and the faulty equipment I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED DRIVING this vehicle! I live on the side of a mountain with steep grades and many winding turns. This steering problem warning did not state DO NOT DRIVE DUE TO STEERING PROBLEM it stated TO DRIVE WITH CAUTION. I am filing a complaint with you to All Chevrolet Trax 2018 no matter what the vin# is A faulty defective part is STILL going to be faulty and defective no matter where manufactured. Truthfully submitted by [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11655325April 17, 2025
ENGINE
Car smoking under the hood not even a month after getting repairs done to it for the same issue of coolant loss. Replaced engine oil cooler, coolant housing, and turbo. Car started smoking again less than a month later and mechanic baffled at what it may be this time for there is no warning lights illuminated to point to the problem. The vehicle has had its regular maintenance on time.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651469March 29, 2025
ENGINE
2018 chevy trax turbo messing up loss of power and making noise
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11651332March 28, 2025
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN
I had the car diagnosed and this is the issue.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11646884March 6, 2025
ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Engine oil cooler leaking with no dash lights causing burning plastic fumes only when sitting at an idle to enter car cabin causing passengers to feel unwell at times. With no warning lights for specific leaks or overheating warnings caused high repair bills at the shop. Also, probably causing engines to malfunction earlier than normal since the only sign is the smell of something burning when at an idle and no other warning signs that would be cause of concern to a mechanic or owner. This would only happen if the recirculating outdoor air.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11634549January 7, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Blower motor and resistor, wire lume melting. So many people have the same issue on several different models. Same part, same issues that could cause a fire. Well know issue by Dealership and auto repair facilities.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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