Chevrolet Trax problems
115 owner complaints with NHTSA, no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
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.
I have replaced five catalytic converters since I have owned this vehicle. Please advise.
Cruise control setting does not display the speed you're setting it to, and also registers an incorrect speed at times. There have been 2-3 times now that I have tried to set my cruise control (clicking set while going a certain speed, the light turns green but my vehicle began…
My car loses power and will not accelerate up hills, in the cold on the freeway in the morning (6:00am pst). Check engine light comes on. It has been to the shop 6 times since feb. 2019 for the same issue of check engine light comes on, loss of power, emissions-air leaks which…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Trax reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 115 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Chevrolet Trax is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Chevrolet Trax does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 20 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 66,309 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 66,309 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Chevrolet Trax has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 115 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.