This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Chevrolet Trax engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Trax have filed 20 NHTSA complaints about the engine, typically surfacing around 77,000 miles at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
20
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Trax | 9 |
| 2016 Trax (this page) | 20 |
| 2017 Trax | 21 |
| 2018 Trax | 13 |
| 2019 Trax | 19 |
| 2020 Trax | 12 |
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 20 engine complaints filed for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 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
Among the 10 model years of Chevrolet Trax in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine 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.
The 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 customer that it is normal for the delay.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This 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 other states.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This 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 oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This 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 oil in system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2016 Chevrolet Trax engines report a consistent pattern of failures concentrated around the turbocharger system, catalytic converter, and ignition/fuel management. Turbo problems dominate the complaints: stuck wastegate actuators cause sudden power loss and stalling (some owners have replaced the actuator twice and it still sticks); full turbo failure and oil leaks are common, with one owner replacing the entire turbo after an undisclosed oil leak caused it to fail; and one complaint alleges turbo fluid leaking into the catalytic converter led to engine fire. Oil leaks from the turbo housing appear systemic—owners report the dealership attempting "small fixes" first rather than full turbo replacement, with ongoing seeping from oil caps and unbearable fumes.
Catalytic converter failures are widespread, often accompanied by check engine light P0420 codes; one owner reports five replacements. A stuck wastegate actuator recall notice (mentioned in narrative #5) was issued for 1.4L engines but only covers repairs after failure, not preventive replacement. Other engine failures include rough idle and misfire (P0300 code from coil pack failure under 40K miles), thermostat housing assembly failures (one owner reports four replacements in 2–3 months), coolant leaks, and overheating without warning lights. Low-mileage failures (27K–40K miles) suggest design or manufacturing defects rather than wear, yet owners report warranty denials and high repair costs.
Same Chevrolet Trax engine reports on nearby years: 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Turbocharger failure and oil leaks
Complete turbo failure, stuck wastegate actuator, and recurring oil leaks from turbo housing and seals. Owners report dealership attempting piecemeal repairs instead of full replacement to stay within warranty terms. One owner reports turbo fluid leaking into catalytic converter with subsequent engine fire.
When: 60K–87K miles; some failures at lower mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden power loss and inability to accelerate; Vehicle limited to 10–35 mph on highway (unsafe merging); Engine shaking and stalling, especially under braking; Check engine light illumination; Dark smoke and fumes from vents; Loud oil cap smell making cabin unbearable; Turbo replaced but actuator sticks repeatedly
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (unspecified turbo codes)
Repairs/costs cited: Full turbo replacement; wastegate actuator replaced multiple times (owner states two replacements and still fails); ongoing oil leak repairs
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Stuck wastegate actuator recall notice issued for 1.4L engines (narrative #5): recall covers repair costs after failure within 10 years/120K miles, not preventive replacement. No mandatory recall for full turbo failure.
Catalytic converter failure
Recurring catalytic converter failures, often triggered by turbo oil contamination or fuel management issues. One owner reports five catalytic converter replacements on the same vehicle.
When: 31K–87K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; P0420 code (catalyst system efficiency below threshold); Increased fuel consumption; Turbo fluid leaking into converter (fire risk per narrative #18)
Codes mentioned: P0420
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement (multiple on same vehicle); one owner reports five replacements total
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recalls mentioned; vehicle out of warranty at time of failure (narrative #4)
Ignition coil and spark plug failure
Coil pack failures causing misfire and rough running. Spark plugs corrode and crack inside cylinders, requiring removal and replacement.
When: Under 40K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rough idle; Loss of power on acceleration and hills; Vehicle running on three cylinders; Check engine light (P0300 multiple cylinder misfire); Jump or jerk during acceleration; Difficulty controlling vehicle on highway
Codes mentioned: P0300 (random/multiple cylinder misfire)
Repairs/costs cited: Coil pack replacement; spark plug removal revealing corrosion and cracks
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Not a recall part; manufacturer charges owners for repair per narrative #9
Thermostat housing and sensor failure
Recurring thermostat housing assembly failure with integrated sensor. One owner reports four replacements within 2–3 months, indicating defective part or installation issue.
When: 79K–79.9K miles (four failures in short succession)
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; Rough idle; Engine stalling at idle (red light stalling); Sudden drop in vehicle speed to 5 mph; Multiple failures in short timeframe
Codes mentioned: Check engine light (thermostat/coolant sensor codes)
Repairs/costs cited: Thermostat housing assembly replacement (four times in 2–3 months for one owner)
Coolant leak
Engine coolant leaking from the cooling system, with inadequate warning to driver. Vehicle overheated without triggering low-coolant or overheat warning lights, only detected by smoke from hood.
When: 87K miles; timing unknown for second complaint
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant visible leaking on driveway; Engine overheating without warning light; Smoke from hood while driving highway; Low-coolant and hot-light sensors possibly faulty from factory
Repairs/costs cited: Coolant added to reservoir; full repair cost not specified but described as 'extremely costly' per narrative #7; vehicle in shop twice for same issue
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM refused to cover repair costs; possibly factory defect per certified GM service center (narrative #7)
O2 sensor failure
Oxygen sensor failure triggering check engine light; replacement did not resolve issue and check engine light returned within days with different code.
When: 27K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination at startup; O2 sensor code initially diagnosed; Subsequent air intake system failure after sensor replacement
Codes mentioned: O2 sensor code (unspecified); later P0420 or intake-related code
Repairs/costs cited: O2 sensor replacement; air intake system replacement required shortly after
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: OnStar diagnostic alerts sent regarding antilock braking system and stability control checks (narrative #8)
Battery and electrical drainage
Battery failure with cascading dashboard and electrical issues (black screen, radio loss, camera loss). Appears to resolve with battery replacement but recurs at higher mileage despite new battery.
When: 31K miles (first occurrence); 33K miles (recurrence at 100% charge)
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard display suddenly black; Radio inoperative; Backup camera inoperative; Directional signal issues; Battery failure; Recurrence of black screen at 33K miles despite new battery at 100% charge
Repairs/costs cited: Battery replacement ($unspecified); black screen returned requiring further diagnosis
Synthesized from 20 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I have replaced five catalytic converters since I have owned this vehicle. Please advise.
I purchased the 2016 Chevy Trax used. The car has 68,000 miles on it. I've had issues with this car since I purchased it. The check engine light came on once again with same code as always P0420. I brought it to a Chevy dealer and they finally replace the catalytic converters. Today I get a letter from Chevrolet stating my cars engine 1.4L may have a condition that could cause the turbocharger…
I have had this car for three years and have had so many issues with it that I could've paid it off by now if I wasn't constantly fixing it. I have replaced the turbo intercooler because it froze last winter and the check engine light came on. I was told by the dealership it was safe to drive until the part came in but it couldn't go over 10mph so it was unusable to me. I have also replaced the…
Check engine light came on when I cranked the car up. Went to have it checked and at first it was a bad o2 sensor. That was fixed and two days later the check engine light was back on, took it back in and now I have to replace the air intake system on a vehicle with right at 27,000 miles on it. Both times, I keep getting diagnostic alerts from onstar telling me to check the antilock braking…
Had engine trouble with your 2016 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 engine problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 20 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 47,350 and 87,000 miles, with the median around 77,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 47,350; a quarter make it past 87,000. 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2016/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.