Twelve separate 2015 Trax owners describe a pattern of electrical and powertrain failures. The most severe cases involve alternator failure causing rough idle, acceleration loss, and check engine lights, sometimes with burning oil smell. One owner reported five major repairs in less than two years after buying used. Another faces a full engine replacement after turbo failure recurred within a year, with piston ring damage; the owner notes three different shops have replaced multiple engines in the same model in five months.
Electrical troubles run across the board: backup cameras failing to illuminate at 600 miles, instrument clusters going black for 10-15 miles at a time, especially in hot weather. Ignition switches malfunction—key sticks in ignition until transmission locks into park, and the vehicle keeps chiming after key removal, draining the battery because the radio won't shut off. Relay systems fail catastrophically; replacing a trunk relay caused all relays (airbag, headlights, dashboard) to fail, and mechanic reprogramming didn't fix it. Bluetooth stopped syncing after an electrical recall repair, and the manufacturer's response was to tell the owner to buy a new phone. Rear door locks jam. Clock and date won't stay set after vehicle shutdown. One Trax still has multiple warning lights following the alternator ordeal.
Failure modes owners describe
Alternator failure
Alternator tested as defective, causing loss of electrical charging. Owner experienced rough idle, loss of power, inability to accelerate, traction control light, check engine light (solid then flashing), burning oil smell, and vehicle had to be limped home and towed to dealer.
When: Used car purchased January 2019; failure occurred shortly after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: rough idle; loss of power; inability to accelerate; traction control light on; check engine light solid then flashing; burning oil smell; vehicle shaking
Codes mentioned: Service Interlock Braking System (OnStar alert), Traction Control System (two OnStar alerts), Exhaust Emissions System (OnStar alert)
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to McClusky Chevrolet; 5th major repair since purchase January 2019
Rear door lock actuator stuck
Passenger rear door lock button stuck in position preventing entry/exit. Motor heard engaging when lock/unlock button or key fob pressed, but button will not move up to unlock the door.
When: After purchase November 2020
Symptoms owners cite: door lock button stuck in fixed position; unable to open or close rear door; motor sound audible when lock controls activated
Repairs/costs cited: Used car dealer (First City Used Auto, Gonic NH) refused to claim responsibility for repair
Loose spark plugs after ignition coil reinstallation
Two of four spark plugs found loose enough to remove by hand after owner replaced intake manifold and reinstalled ignition coil. Squealing noise and fuel smell in vehicle traced to this issue. Owner reports tight spark plugs after reinstallation eliminated the noise.
When: After intake manifold replacement requiring ignition coil removal/reinstallation
Symptoms owners cite: squealing noise from intake manifold area; fuel smell inside vehicle; loose spark plugs
Repairs/costs cited: Spark plugs tightened by hand; owner concerned loose spark plugs create fire hazard by allowing fuel to blow past cylinders into engine compartment
Multiple engine drivetrain failures (turbo, piston rings, radiator)
Escalating series of major engine failures including radiator replacement, coil pack replacement, turbo replacement twice within one year, and piston ring failure requiring full engine replacement. Owner reports three automotive shops have replaced multiple engines in 5-month period due to same piston ring and turbo failures in 2015 Trax vehicles.
When: Radiator 2021 after purchase; coil pack Aug-Sept 2022; first turbo Oct 2022; second turbo Oct 2023 (one year later); piston rings after second turbo
Symptoms owners cite: engine malfunction; electrical features not working
Repairs/costs cited: Radiator replaced; coil pack replaced; turbo replaced twice in one year; engine replacement needed due to piston ring failure; multiple shops report replacing engines in same vehicle line
Instrument cluster display blackouts
Information cluster (speedometer, mileage, fuel gauge) went completely black for 10-15 miles while driving, then spontaneously returned. Temporary blackouts (1-2 seconds) happen frequently, resetting display. Pattern increases in hot, humid weather.
When: Multiple occurrences over several weeks; 7 instances within one week during hot weather
Symptoms owners cite: instrument cluster completely black; temporary display blackouts; display resets during blackouts; loss of speed indication; loss of fuel gauge; loss of mileage display
Bluetooth sync failure after electrical system recall
After dealer completed NHTSA recall repair 16V422000 (electrical system), phone failed to properly sync with vehicle's Bluetooth. Vehicle taken to dealer three times; manufacturer advised owner to purchase new phone despite failure occurring after recall repair.
When: At approximately 11,000 miles; failure occurred after recall repair completed
Symptoms owners cite: phone Bluetooth sync failure; phone not pairing with vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to resolve; manufacturer response was to advise purchasing new phone
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 16V422000 (Electrical System, Equipment) repair completed; manufacturer advised contact to purchase new phone
Backup camera partial failure
Backup camera failed to fully illuminate with blank section visible. Failure recurred on multiple occasions. Dealer unable to diagnose or repair.
When: At 600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: section of backup camera image blank; camera not fully illuminating
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to diagnose or repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified of failure
Multiple engine misfire codes
Vehicle developed rough idle and inability to accelerate. Mechanic diagnosed multiple misfire codes firing simultaneously with check engine light flashing.
Symptoms owners cite: rough idle; inability to accelerate; accelerator unresponsive; check engine light flashing
Codes mentioned: Multiple misfire codes
Transmission shift selector noise and key stuck in ignition
Gear shifter sounds like it is moving between drive positions or out of drive. After stopping and turning off car, ignition key will not release and stays stuck until vehicle locks itself into park.
Symptoms owners cite: shifter makes grinding or movement noise; ignition key stuck in ignition; key only releases after transmission locks into park
Ignition switch electrical malfunction
Vehicle continues to chime after key removed from ignition, indicating key still in ignition. Radio fails to auto-shut-off after 10 minutes as designed, draining battery. Key fobs stop working because vehicle thinks key is still in ignition.
Symptoms owners cite: constant chiming after key removal; radio does not auto-shut-off; battery drain; key fob inoperative
Repairs/costs cited: Battery being killed by radio remaining on
Relay system cascading failure
Trunk relay went out multiple times, preventing trunk opening. Replacement of trunk relay caused all relays to fail including airbag, headlights, dashboard, and trunk relays. Mechanic reprogrammed system but relays no longer functional.
Symptoms owners cite: trunk relay failure; unable to open trunk; airbag relay failure; headlight relay failure; dashboard relay failure; all relays non-functional after trunk relay replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Mechanic reprogram attempted but system remains non-functional
Clock and date reset not persistent
When date and time are reset on vehicle, they only remain correct while vehicle is being driven. Upon turning off and restarting vehicle, time has changed and sometimes date as well.
Symptoms owners cite: time resets after vehicle shutdown; date resets after vehicle shutdown; time incorrect after restart
Synthesized from 12 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.