This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Chevrolet Trax powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2015 Chevrolet Trax have filed 17 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain, typically surfacing around 40,510 miles at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
17
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Trax (this page) | 17 |
| 2016 Trax | 12 |
| 2017 Trax | 9 |
| 2018 Trax | 9 |
| 2019 Trax | 9 |
When does it fail?
Of the 17 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 9 model years of Chevrolet Trax we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 17.
Powertrain accounts for 18% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 10 categories tracked.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This bulletin provides information on identifying Non-GM Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines using the Tech 2 or GDS 2.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This service bulletin informs the technician of an alternate lift procedure that has been developed when the lift plate does not fit the top of the transmission case for 6T30, 6T35, 6T40, 6T45, and 6T50 Transmissions.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2015 Trax vehicles describe multiple critical powertrain failures. Transmission issues are the most consistent complaint: vehicles roll backward on inclines despite being in drive, contradicting the advertised hill start assist feature. Multiple owners report the transmission either gets stuck in a single gear or shifts unexpectedly to neutral. Several describe violent shuddering and jerking during city driving that creates unintended acceleration—a collision hazard. One owner experienced complete transmission and steering lockup at 40 mph, forcing an emergency pullout onto a parking lot; Chevrolet refused repairs.
Rear differentials develop cracks in the casing, draining fluid completely and creating potential for seized differentials and loss of control. One owner had the differential replaced in 2019, only to have it fail again by 88,857 miles.
Engine issues include stalling while driving with no restart unless the ignition is cycled and the vehicle is in park—a severe safety problem dealers cannot diagnose. Turbochargers leak coolant at 34,000 miles despite full maintenance. Oil system components (valve covers, oil pans, gaskets, purge valves) leak prematurely. One owner reported oil thinning so fast it required three changes in six months.
Chevrolet has refused to acknowledge these problems exist or provide remedies, with dealers claiming some defects are "built in" and unfixable without replacing the entire vehicle.
Same Chevrolet Trax powertrain reports on nearby years: 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Transmission shift and driveline lockup during motion
Transmission fails to respond to gear selector input while vehicle is moving; gear selector becomes unresponsive and vehicle behaves as if locked in park despite being in drive. Multiple warning lights (MIL, StabiliTrak, Park, Power Steering) illuminate simultaneously.
When: 40,510 miles; early in vehicle life
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle seemed to shift gears involuntarily while in drive; Steering wheel locked while driving; Vehicle would not accelerate; Inability to turn wheels; Gear shifter would not switch gears after stopping; Vehicle behaved as if in park while in motion
Codes mentioned: MIL (Malfunction Indicator Light), StabiliTrak warning, Park light, Power Steering warning
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced engine control module (ECM) with new part
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet initially refused to fix vehicle and denied transmission/power steering problems exist
Backward roll-back on inclines and hill start assist failure
Vehicle rolls backward on inclines or slight grades while in drive with brakes engaged, contradicting advertised hill start assist feature. Occurs at very low mileage. Dealer states issue is 'incline brake' built into vehicle and cannot be fixed.
When: 2,385 miles; 10,000 miles; occurs repeatedly throughout ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle rolls backward when stopped on incline or slight grade; Hill start assist does not engage despite being advertised feature; Transmission shifts to neutral causing rollback when brake is released; Multiple occurrences of near-collisions due to unexpected rollback
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer stated no repair is possible; issue is inherent design. One case indicates 'sleep mode program in transmission' causing failure.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Chevrolet states transmission is operating as designed; dealer claims issue cannot be fixed without replacing entire vehicle
Transmission stuck in gear or limp mode
Transmission becomes stuck in a single gear (third gear reported) and does not respond to manual or drive mode inputs. Vehicle will not move normally. Service engine light and traction control light illuminate.
When: 80,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission stuck in third gear; Manual mode does not allow gear change; Vehicle does not move when accelerator pressed from stop; Traction control light on; Service engine soon light on
Transmission shuddering, jerking, and surging during city driving
Transmission exhibits severe shuddering and jerking behavior during creeping in traffic and braking, creating unintended acceleration surges forward. Safety hazard due to risk of collision with vehicle ahead.
When: Multiple complaints; mileage varies
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission surges when braking; Shuddering when creeping in traffic; Jerking and skipping sensation while driving; Unintended forward surges; Vehicle behaves as if skipping or sputtering
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM has refused to acknowledge issue exists
Engine stall during driving with no restart capability until reset
Engine stalls while vehicle is in motion and will not restart unless vehicle is placed in park and ignition is cycled off and back on. Creates severe safety hazard.
When: Mileage not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle stalls while driving without warning; Engine will not turn back on while in gear; Requires park gear and key reset to restart
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership reports inability to identify cause or fault
Rear differential failure with fluid loss
Rear differential develops cracks in casing leading to complete fluid drainage. Has failed once and reoccurred; can cause differential seizure and loss of vehicle control. Loud noise from rear indicates failure.
When: 62,000 miles; one case had prior failure and re-failed by 88,857 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud noise from rear differential; Complete drainage of differential fluid; Crack in differential casing side; Engine sputtering and check engine light illumination; Traction control warning light
Repairs/costs cited: Rear differential replaced (first occurrence). Second occurrence not yet repaired at time of complaint.
Turbocharger and coolant system leaks
Turbocharger leaks coolant prematurely; occurs at very low mileage despite full maintenance compliance. Coolant reservoir empties due to leak.
When: 34,000 miles; 61,511 miles (coolant flange/seal)
Symptoms owners cite: Empty coolant reservoir; Visible turbo coolant leak
Codes mentioned: P0299 (turbocharger underboost condition)
Repairs/costs cited: Turbocharger requires replacement; coolant flange and seal replaced
Oil leaks from valve cover and oil pan gaskets
Multiple oil system leaks occur at relatively low mileage. Valve cover leaks and oil pan gasket failures requiring repeated repairs.
When: 87,000 miles (valve cover); 87,000 miles (oil pan); 61,048 miles (purge valve)
Symptoms owners cite: Oil leaks from valve cover; Oil leaks from oil pan; Oil thinning rapidly requiring three oil changes in less than six months
Repairs/costs cited: Valve cover replaced; oil pan leak repaired; oil pan pin gasket replaced; purge valve replaced
Synthesized from 17 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Vehicle rolls backward in drive causing near collision. I was operating the vehicle on several occasions on a slight incline and the gear selector in drive, the vehicle shifts to neutral causing the vehicle to roll backward when the brake is released and on 2 occasions causing a near roll back rear to front collision.
While I was driving my 2015 Chevy trax, the transmission got stuck in third gear. I switched to manual and it still wouldn't move out of third gear. In order to get it off the road, I had to drive it to a safe place. Sitting at a red light in drive, I took my foot off the break and the car didn't inch forward like normal. The traction control light was on so was the service engine soon light.…
The car is spuddering when I drive and, its really unsafe. When I try to drive it basically skips when I try to drive.
My car is literally spuddering technically skipping then, jerking back. It's a safety hazard already almost hit a couple cars because, its jerking I need help trying to get my car changed out. This is a huge defect on the car. Please helpp
Noticed coolant reservoir was empty. Put it in the shop and it is the turbo that Chevy manufactures with the engine. It is leaking. The vehicle is only a 2015 with 34,000 miles, the turbo should not be leaking already. It does need to be replaced. I have gotten all the maintenance done.
The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle the engine suddenly began to sputter and the check engine and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the rear differential had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact indicated that the rear…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2015 Chevrolet Trax?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2015 Chevrolet Trax?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 17 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 11,000 and 80,000 miles, with the median around 40,510. A quarter of owners report trouble before 11,000; a quarter make it past 80,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2015/Chevrolet/Trax.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.