Free. Instant. No signup. Pulls recalls and complaints for your exact vehicle.
Couldn't find that VIN. Check the digits and try again.
2015 Chevrolet Trax steering problems
severe
Owners of the 2015 Chevrolet Trax have filed 13 NHTSA complaints about the steering at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.See steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
13
Recalls
1
Avg fix
$700
steering complaints on the Chevrolet Trax, by model year
Of the 13 steering complaints filed for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
1 (100%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
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
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015 Buick Encore vehicles manufactured November 27, 2014, to February 24, 2015, and 2015 Chevrolet Trax vehicles manufactured November 18, 2014, to February 17, 2015
The circuit board wear may cause a sudden loss of electric power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the steering column assembly, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 24, 2015. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 or Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 15168.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.
Service BulletinPI0281LApr 2025
This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
This service bulletin provides a procedure to flush and bleed power steering system to correct a power steering noise or fluid leak concern that is caused during extremely low temperatures.
This service bulletin provides a procedure inspecting for excess grease or Sealant on the Exterior of the steering gear due to seeing grease or sealant on certain locations on the gear.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2015 Trax has produced consistent steering complaints across a 13-complaint cluster. Steering wheel seizure is the most critical issue—owners describe the wheel locking up without warning at speeds ranging from 20 mph in turns to highway speeds, with at least one documented steering column replacement and another case where restart restored function. Power steering assist loss is separate but related, with one owner losing assist at 55 mph and the vehicle stalling simultaneously.
Multiple owners cite NHTSA Campaign 15V146000 (Steering), though one owner's VIN was excluded from that recall despite matching symptoms. Another reported a recall for front lower control arm joint separation that can detach tires—a critical safety hazard—but could not obtain replacement parts after a month of requests.
Intermittent electrical faults compound the problem. Loose computer connectors and ground connections trigger check engine lights, stability control warnings, instrument cluster blanking, and transmission shift failures. Dealers have fixed these connections, but failures return. Vehicle wandering in the lane and abnormal steering vibration round out the reported issues.
One owner noted a recall notice referenced at a 2015 DEFCON Convention security presentation regarding vehicle hacking through the MyLink system.
Same Chevrolet Trax steering reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wheel seizure / lockup
Steering column becomes immobile or severely restricted during operation, sometimes intermittently. Owners report loss of steering control without warning, occasionally following high-RPM or improper transmission shift issues.
When: 18,101 miles (one case); 28,000 miles (one case); 90,000 miles (one case); 97,000 miles (one case); variable mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel suddenly seized while turning at low speed; Steering wheel occasionally seizes at various speeds; Steering column failed and had to be replaced; Electric power steering failed to function; Steering column locked up while stationary
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement required in one documented case; loose computer connectors and ground connections repaired at dealership; software update performed but did not resolve seizure; dealer stated vehicle operating as intended in another case
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 15V146000 (Steering) referenced by owners; one owner's VIN was not included in recall; GM case number 346514S38 issued; manufacturer opened cases but vehicles often could not be diagnosed or repaired
Loss of power steering assist
Electric power steering system loses hydraulic or electronic assist, forcing manual steering effort. Occurs at highway speeds and in stationary conditions.
When: Approximately 97,000 miles (one documented case); variable mileage in other cases
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of power steering assist while driving 55 MPH; Vehicle stalled when power steering assist was lost; Steering wheel vibrated abnormally; No power steering in first gear on highway; Power steering light illuminated
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented; one owner had to limp home in first gear without power steering
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign Number 15V146000 referenced; manufacturer made aware but no recalls documented as applied
Lower control arm joint separation hazard
Front lower control arm joint can separate, potentially detaching the tire from the vehicle. Owner received recall notice but could not obtain replacement parts.
When: Timing not specified; owner reported recall pending for approximately one month without parts availability
Symptoms owners cite: Loud popping and clunking while turning; Loss of vehicle control with front-end pushing and pulling side to side; Inability to regain steering control
Repairs/costs cited: Recall parts ordered but not received after one month; another owner at same dealership had their recall completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall issued; owner cited as having received 'egregious recall notice' from GM
Vehicle wandering / lane control issues
Vehicle drifts or pulls laterally without driver input, causing the vehicle to shift toward adjacent lanes unexpectedly.
When: No mileage provided
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle drifts from lane unintentionally; Feels like shifting into adjacent lane without intentional steering input; Vehicle pulls side to side when attempting to steer
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer examined; attributed to tires by mechanic inspection
Intermittent electrical / computer control failures
Multiple computer-related malfunctions including loose connectors and ground connections that trigger check engine lights, stability control warnings, and loss of multiple vehicle functions simultaneously.
When: Intermittent; failures recurred after repair attempts
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illuminated intermittently; Stability control off light illuminated; Instrument cluster failed to display; Accelerator pedal failed to respond; Dashboard display including speedometer zeroed out; Rear view camera would not function; Engine would not shift into proper gear
Repairs/costs cited: Loose computer connectors fixed; loose ground connection for computer repaired; repairs did not permanently resolve issues
Synthesized from 13 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer
allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting
3 most recent
steering
· filed 12/14/2019
I have been sent a pretty egregious recall by gm. I made an appointment with the dealer I purchased the car from. Dealership told me they had to order the part. It's been a month. When I went to the dealership, they said the part was not in. Meanwhile, my friend had her recall fixed there. This is regarding a joint in one or both front lower control arms that can separate your tires from the…
steering · 18,101 mi
· filed 12/13/2018
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet trax. While driving 20 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, the steering wheel seized without warning. As a result, the driver struck a curb. When the contact turned off and restarted the engine, the vehicle drove normally. The vehicle was taken to ryan Chevrolet (located at 1800 south broadway, minot, nd 58701, (701) 852-3571) where it was diagnosed that…
steering
· filed 12/13/2018
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet trax. The contact stated that the electric power steering failed to function and the steering wheel vibrated abnormally. NHTSA campaign number: 15v146000 (steering) was referenced. The dealer (central Chevrolet, 3207 stadium blvd, jonesboro, ar 72404, (870) 394-5007) and the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired.…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2015 Chevrolet Trax?
It's a meaningful issue. 13 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 13 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 57,395 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering 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 steering?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover steering issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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.