What 115 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Trax

The air in the car started blowing warm in 2021. I took it to the dealership and they said maybe a leak. They did a leak test and put something I. It to make it cold for a couple days. I’ve been having g the same complaint since. After looking online, I saw that it is a compressor issue. I had an oil change done last week and asked them to look at it. They said it was my compressor. The car is only 7 years old with 77k miles. The cost to replace is too high for a manufacturer’s issue.

NHTSA ODI 11542377

Turbo underboost causes check engine light and sputtering at acceleration

NHTSA ODI 11524014

My trax turbo went out at like 60K and caused my car to shake and stall whenever I was breaking. This would happen at lights and stop me from being able to start my car and placing me and other drivers in a dangerous situation. I have seen online this is a common issue and also a safety violation that should be fixed.

NHTSA ODI 11522105

While driving on the highway at 80mph engine light came on and the car began to lose speed and would not accelerate. I had the code checked and the code P0299 OBD-II Trouble code: Turbo Supercharger Underboost Condition. My vehicle has just 51K miles. There have also been issues with the passenger seat airbag not working. A year ago, the majority of the pipes in the undercarriage of my car had to be replaced because they had corroded.

NHTSA ODI 11507706

Sensors don’t detect passenger in front seat

NHTSA ODI 11507348

I was driving on the freeway at a speed of approx 70 mph when my check engine light came on with a noticeable decrease in engine power. I took my car to an auto parts store to have the code read and was told it was P0299, which indicates a turbo underboost condition. Upon doing further research and finding other Chevy Trax owner forums, I found that this is a common issue in colder weather, and service bulletin 16-NA-405 has been released several years in a row by General Motors which states that in North America, "some customers may comment that when driving in extremely cold weather conditions (0*F or less), their vehicle experiences one or several of the following conditions: ...hesitation on acceleration, malfunction indicator lamp illuminated, stalling condition, and loss of power". I have experienced several of these conditions. The service bulletin also states that there is a Special Coverage for vehicles with this issue, so I took my Trax to a local Chevy dealer. There, I was told that 5 other Chevy Traxes had been in for similar issues in that week (there had been a winter storm and temperatures below 0). However, I was told that despite this being a known issue among my year, make, and model, that I would have to pay over $2300 for repairs, even though there several special bulletins and coverages that state this is an ongoing, known issue with my vehicle.

NHTSA ODI 11501972

the turbo leaked into the converter causing the engine to catch fire

NHTSA ODI 11490345

This vehicle has turbo problems which can lead to a fire and potentially explosion, there should be a recall in place for this issue.. I have spoke with several people with the same care having the same problem

NHTSA ODI 11487130

After having the car for 3 years with only 45000 miles, purchased in 2019 with 7000 miles on it, my car keeps jerking like there is an emission issue. Car takes forever to get up to speed properly when merging onto the interstate. I see there's not s recall for the turbo and the emissions purge valve but I have the notices for special coverages?? When I go to the dealership they say there's nothing they can do without a recall??

NHTSA ODI 11486896

Bought 2016 Trax January 2019 with 19000 miles. In 2022, with only 31000 miles, I have had multiple issues. First, my dashboard display suddenly went black; no radio, backup camera or sound with directional signals. Before I could take car to dealer my battery died and when a new battery was installed all issues were corrected. Then in March the water pump needed replacing, at which time I was told that the compressor also needed replacing. I also have peeling paint on the hood. The car is bright blue and other people have reported this peeling paint problem with their blue cars. Windshield wipers are not efficient and leave streaks. I’ve replaced them and they work well for about a year only. The wipers must be purchased through the dealer. And now, at 33000 miles my dashboard display is black again, and battery is at 100% charge. I replaced the water pump ($1,000), but don’t know how to proceed with the compressor and black screen. Don’t know why dealer has high rating with AAA as I have had nothing but unpleasant interactions with them. Staff is rude and dismissive.

NHTSA ODI 11478633

I see in the past that there is/was a recall on the airbag system for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax. My front passenger airbag light stays on in the off setting and it is unknown if if was fixed or checked by the previous owner. I had an accident March 2019 and the airbags didn't deploy. I never knew that I could report it to you as it was my first ever car accident. A car pulled out in front of me today at work, luckily I avoided having an accident and that's when I noticed again that the passenger side airbag light was set to off. Also would like to say that the display in the car doesn't work properly, the screen freezes. And whenever I connect my Bluetooth, my phone and the radio plays at the same time. I have to turn the car off and back on to correct it.

NHTSA ODI 11474826

I went to GM to have my recall fixed and they denied me service as they said they didn’t have the tool and it looked okay visually and to not worry about it. My ball joint is now separated from the control arm and I cannot drive the car

NHTSA ODI 11472289

The turbocharger in my Chevrolt Trax suffered a stuck wastegate actuator on an interstate while coming up to speed, which caused dramatic loss of power and an inability to safely merge onto the road (top speed was now 35; I-49 has a 70 mph limit. This is the second time the actuator stuck while coming onto a highway. I have had the part replaced twice now, and yet it still sticks. It is a danger to me and to others on the road and should be a mandated recall.

NHTSA ODI 11471348

A/C Dashboard Control Selector Linkage No Longer Working. The dampener linkage cable from Hot/Cold Selector Knob control is not working. Several videos on YouTube show a History of GM being aware, but doesn't care. No access to a 'working' A/C unit with Children, Pets or Adults in vehicle places ALL in danger, especially on extremely Hot hazy days. GM needs to correct this engineering design flaw and/or have parts or repairs available. Once again the dampener linkage cable from Hot/Cold Selector Knob control is not working, breaks far too easily, causing expensive repairs and victimizing consumers.

NHTSA ODI 11470089

My vehicle was has had 2 separate front end accidents. Both caused major damage. This last time my car was totaled out. Neither time did the air bags deploy. There were no warnings. Police report was filed. However the police was not on my side. He lied about the other person’s speed, where they were traveling, the distance of the stop sign and stop bar. He also took over a week to provide it. I had to keep calling.

NHTSA ODI 11466564

The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she became aware that the passenger’s side air bag warning light remained off, while her daughter or fiancé was seated in the passenger’s seat. The contact then noticed that the air bag light turned on once she was seated in the passenger’s seat. Upon investigation, the contact discovered that the passenger’s side air bag sensor would not recognize an occupant seated in the passenger’s seat that weighed under approximately 150 pounds. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where they confirmed her failure and gave her an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11465325

I purchased the 2016 Chevy Trax used. The car has 68,000 miles on it. I've had issues with this car since I purchased it. The check engine light came on once again with same code as always P0420. I brought it to a Chevy dealer and they finally replace the catalytic converters. Today I get a letter from Chevrolet stating my cars engine 1.4L may have a condition that could cause the turbocharger to fail due to sticking wastegate actuator linkage. Shouldn't this be a recall? No right now it says to keep this letter safe and if anything happens to engine within the 10 years after car was made or 120,000 miles then they will pay for repair. I would think it would be cheaper to fix the part now then replace everything that gets damaged after the fact no?

NHTSA ODI 11443960

Delayed sensor response for ignition coil failure causing a breakdown in a freeway

NHTSA ODI 11433054

I Brought This Car As Is Bical Auto Mall. (The Dealership), I Took The Car To Get Checked Out The First Time And It Had A Weak Battery And I Had To Constantly Get A Boost To Drive My Car 2 Weeks Later I Was Advised To Go To A Gm Dealer Because My Engine Light Was On, The Mechanic Explained Something Was Wrong With The Valve And It Was A Leakage. A Few Day Later My Engine Light Turned On Again And I Had The Same Problem But Only This Time The Car Started Surging And Stalling Out Every Time I Stopped. I Returned To The Gm Dealer Again & The Problem Is Still Ongoing.

NHTSA ODI 11420904

The paint is pealing off.

NHTSA ODI 11420250

VEHICLE OVERHEATED NOT SETTING OFF ANY SENSORS, EMERGENCY LIGHTS OR NOTIFICATIONS, ONLY NOTIFICATION WAS WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. LOW COOLANT AND "HOT" LIGHT ARE POSSIBLY FAULTY FROM FACTORY PER CERTIFIED GM SERVICE CENTER. CONTACTED GM THEY REFUSED TO COVER COST OF REPAIRS WHICH WERE EXTREMELY COSTLY DUE TO A POSSIBLE FAULT FROM THE FACTORY ON THIS VEHICLE, VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP 2 TIMES FOR SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11405823

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.

NHTSA ODI 11397779

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!! ALSO MY PASSENGER SEAT BELT WILL NOT STAY FASTENED!

NHTSA ODI 11387384

THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE PAINT ON THE LIFT GATE FLAKE OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11387265

THE SHIFT BUTTON STICKS WHEN PUTTING THE CAR INTO PARK WHICH 1. DOES NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO BE REMOVED AND 2. ALLOWS THE SHIFTER TO BE ACCIDENTALLY MOVED INTO GEAR WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11384963