Chevrolet Trax Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Chevrolet Trax model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (24) and the 2019 the most (135).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 9 | 0 | Engine | 5★ | 26–27 |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
17 | 0 | Service brakes | — | 29–30 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
24 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 26–28 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
89 | 1 | Electrical system | 4★ | 29–30 |
| 2015 Among the fewest complaints |
96 | 7 | Electrical system | 5★ | 27–29 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
96 | 0 | Electrical system | 5★ | 26–28 |
| 2018 | 101 | 2 | Suspension | 5★ | 27–28 |
| 2017 Among the most complaints |
113 | 3 | Engine | 5★ | 27–28 |
| 2016 Among the most complaints |
120 | 5 | Engine | 5★ | 27–29 |
| 2019 Among the most complaints |
135 | 2 | Engine | 5★ | 26–28 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
176 | 1 | Electrical system | 4★ | 30 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Chevrolet Trax years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2019 Chevrolet Trax: 135 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 36 (27%); Electrical system 25 (19%); Suspension 19 (14%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 2 fires, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 10,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2016 Chevrolet Trax: 120 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 46 (38%); Electrical system 24 (20%); Air bags 19 (16%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 41,345 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2017 Chevrolet Trax: 113 complaints
Most-reported: Engine 43 (38%); Electrical system 25 (22%); Steering 19 (17%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 28,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
The Chevrolet Trax years with the fewest complaints
2021 Chevrolet Trax: 24 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 9 (38%); Engine 6 (25%); Service brakes 6 (25%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2015 Chevrolet Trax: 96 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 23 (24%); Engine 22 (23%); Power train 18 (19%).
Reports mention 13 crashes, 2 fires, 6 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 36,917 miles. 7 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Chevrolet Trax: 96 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 28 (29%); Engine 21 (22%); Power train 15 (16%).
Reports mention 5 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 28,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Chevrolet Trax owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 89 | 11 | 4 | 15 | 0 | 6,000 |
| 2024 | 176 | 9 | 7 | 17 | 0 | 20,000 |
| 2022 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 24 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 96 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 28,000 |
| 2019 | 135 | 9 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 10,000 |
| 2018 | 101 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 28,001 |
| 2017 | 113 | 10 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 28,000 |
| 2016 | 120 | 9 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 41,345 |
| 2015 | 96 | 13 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 36,917 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Chevrolet Trax recalls
- Frontal Air Bags May Not Deploy (2014–2017 model years; 3,640,162 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2016; 16V651000)
- No 'Key Left in Ignition' Warning Chime/FMVSS 114 (2013–2016 model years; 317,572 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2016; 16V257000)
- Rearview Camera May Display Distorted or Blank Image (2025 model year; 306,511 vehicles across all models; filed Aug 2026; 26V539000)
- Lower-Control Arm May Separate From Vehicle (2017–2019 model years; 112,958 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2019; 19V312000)
- Lower Control Arm May Separate From Vehicle (2015–2018 model years; 93,722 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2019; 19V652000)
All 11 Chevrolet Trax recall campaigns · Chevrolet Trax problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Chevrolet Trax years FAQ
Which Chevrolet Trax year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (24). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Chevrolet Trax years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2019, 2016 and 2017 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the engine. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Chevrolet Trax problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the engine (275 of 976 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Chevrolet Trax have?
NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns covering the Chevrolet Trax. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Chevrolet Trax recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.