2018 Chevrolet Trax Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 29%of 102 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,676miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Chevrolet Trax, 29% of the 102 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,676 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I bought my car brand new with 49 miles on it. From the first day it has been giving me a service rear camera system error, the entire dash will completely blackout on me and takes a while to come back on and my car was slipping while shifting from park to reverse and reverse to drive. With almost 65k miles on it, I started to get a service awd, service power steering with a faulty power steering issue while driving, my car randomly won't start, despite the battery and alternator all being good. …”
NHTSA complaint #11396622, filed 2021-02, 65,000 miles“August 2020 at about 20k miles took vehicle in for oil change at dealer. Added recommended tire rotation. Everything is fine. I inquire about the recal on the lower control arms and parts will be ordered and should be called. No call! May 2020 - take car back to dealership for code regarding the turbo charger (which needed to be replaced because wastegate was sticking) they also were finally able to install lower control arm parts that they never called me about. This is about 30k miles. Dec 31, 2020 at about 36k miles I take in for oil change and tire rotation. …”
NHTSA complaint #11386319, filed 2021-01, 36,000 miles“In february on zero degree day my 2018 TRAX had blue smoke coming out of the tail pipe and almost stalled car running. I saw another TRAX that same day with blue smoke coming out of the tail pipe. When I was at the dealership they were returning some one elses TRAX and it had blue smoke coming out of it. The TRAX has a 1.4 turbo engine and GM seems to have a problem with the pcv system on this engine. Gm needs to come up with a fix for this problem and there should be a recall on this. You can look on youtube and the mechanics there are aware of the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11270140, filed 2019-10, 3,000 miles“Engine shut off on me I've replaced battery and alternator there is a strong smell of burning plastic from engine bay before this my AC went out only was blowing hot air but car now will not start after replacement of alternator and battery only had the car for a bit now everyone is breaking on me I've had it in the shop for half the time I've had it about to call finance company and give up on vehicle”
NHTSA complaint #11517665, filed 2023-04“First my engine went out; replace with used engine $5,000. One cv joint went out; replaced $1400. Differential bushing went out; auto shop said he can't find bushing; has to replace whole differential $3,800. I'm sure I'll have to replace the other cv joints soon. This car has 128,000 miles on it. How does an engine and turbo gets ruined? That damn car was $21,000. Now the repairs are almost as much as the stupid car.”
NHTSA complaint #11551726, filed 2023-10Related service bulletins
- 11026017Jun 5, 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
- 11024485May 15, 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the…
- 11020254May 7, 2025This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in…
- 11019503Apr 18, 2025This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California…
- 11017263Mar 25, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 11016942Mar 4, 2025This bulletin advises the technician to flush the cooling system multiple times if oil has been found in the cooling system and replace the parts that may be contaminated due to…
- 11014230Jan 31, 2025This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer.
- 11014233Jan 30, 2025This service bulletin provides service information to technicians on guidelines to replace Oil Cooler, Oil Cooler Lines and Oil Tank if the engine was replaced where large…
- 11013069Jan 9, 2025This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
- 11011900Nov 22, 2024This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 6% |
| 2025 | 16 | 16% |
| 2024 | 52 | 29% |
| 2022 | 4 | 44% |
| 2021 | 6 | 24% |
| 2020 | 23 | 23% |
| 2019 | 37 | 27% |
| 2018 | 30 | 29% |
| 2017 | 44 | 39% |
| 2016 | 46 | 38% |
| 2015 | 22 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2018 Chevrolet Trax
34 complaintsElectrical system
18 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
12 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsWheels
6 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2018 Chevrolet Trax
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology