2018 Chevrolet Trax problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (28) · Engine (16) · Power Train (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Chevrolet Trax model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
39 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (2)
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint 2019-09-12 · campaign 19V652000 · 93,722 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. 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.
Risk: A partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle could cause the attached front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle's handling and steering and increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A192261870.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint 2019-04-18 · campaign 19V312000 · 112,958 vehicles
Defect: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. 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.
Risk: A partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle could cause the attached front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle's handling and steering and increasing the risk of crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 14, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A182202370.
Service bulletins (899)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-26 · PIT5698F · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this pi provides diagnostics tips on how the lin bus works and how to diagnosis it.
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-04 · PIP4902W · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Unknown Or Other 2026-07-21 · PIT5099J · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pi to help diagnose a/c concern
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-01 · PIT3271Q · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates information about how to determine if a wheel and tires size change is available.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP6104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information communicates the steps on how to save a gds2 session log and upload to a technical assistance case in cx connect.
Unknown Or Other 2026-03-09 · PIP4902V · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this preliminary information advises a dealer on how to email gds2 session logs into technical assistance.
Showing the 6 most recent of 899 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-09 · Power Train“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 connec…”
2026-06-27 · Engine · 🔥 fire“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. …”
2026-06-18 · 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. …”
2026-06-03 · Wheels“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 reca…”
2026-05-25 · 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…”
2026-02-12 · 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 th…”
2026-02-11 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 135,000 mi“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 mech…”
2026-02-06 · 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.…”
2026-02-05 · 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. ot…”
2026-01-16 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel · 36,645 mi“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 wa…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.