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 ↗2016 Chevrolet Trax steering problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Chevrolet Trax have filed 14 NHTSA complaints about the steering, typically surfacing around 50,000 miles at roughly $700 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Trax | 13 |
| 2016 Trax (this page) | 14 |
| 2017 Trax | 19 |
| 2018 Trax | 9 |
| 2019 Trax | 15 |
| 2020 Trax | 4 |
When does it fail?
Of the 14 steering complaints filed for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 100,000-125,000 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 8 model years of Chevrolet Trax in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
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.
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.
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.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin instructs the tech when fuel/fluid is needed to be tested and where it can be sent for analysis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules.
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 models report steering failure across a wide mileage span (as low as 2,000 miles, up to 115,000), with two main patterns. First, the steering wheel locks or becomes inoperable at startup, often intermittently—the power steering indicator light comes on, and the problem may resolve after an engine restart or a few hours of sitting. Second, while driving at any speed, the steering wheel suddenly becomes stiff or impossible to turn without warning. This second mode often triggers loss of power to the engine and transmission, dropping speed to 5–10 mph and illuminating the ESC light. One owner had the car at a dealership for four weeks; after a $1,120 module replacement, the problem returned within a day. Another faced a $1,600 bill for full steering system replacement. Dealers have replaced steering columns, reprogrammed power steering computers, and swapped batteries—yet failures persist. One recall inspection was performed but the vehicle was not repaired at that time. Manufacturers contacted have referred owners to NHTSA. A few owners also noted electrical oddities: clicking in the steering column, false anti-theft alarms, and delayed radio startup, suggesting possible underlying electrical or control-module faults.
Same Chevrolet Trax steering reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2017 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Power steering loss or malfunction at startup
Steering wheel locks or becomes inoperable when vehicle is started, often intermittent. Power steering indicator light illuminates. Issue sometimes resolves after a few hours or engine restart.
When: 4,000–50,000 miles; mostly early in vehicle ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel locked or won't turn; Power steering indicator light on; Issue intermittent, resolves after restart; Grinding or snapping sounds from steering area
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers have replaced steering column, reprogrammed power steering computer, replaced battery, and attempted full steering system replacement ($1,600 reported). Repairs often unsuccessful—failure recurs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall inspection performed at one dealership; vehicle not repaired at that time. Manufacturer contacted in some cases; referred owners to NHTSA. No TSBs or warranty programs mentioned.
Steering stiffness or difficulty turning while driving
Steering wheel becomes stiff or very difficult to turn without warning while vehicle is in motion at various speeds (40 mph, low speeds, highway speeds). Power is lost to transmission and engine, causing speed to drop to 5–10 mph.
When: 2,000–115,749 miles; no clear pattern by age
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel stiff, difficult or impossible to turn; Loss of power to engine and transmission; Vehicle speed drops to 5–10 mph; ESC light comes on; Loss of acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: One owner paid $218 for diagnostic and $1,120 for module replacement, yet problem persisted. Another incurred $1,600 for full steering system replacement. Dealers unable to pinpoint root cause in several cases.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer contacted in some complaints; referred owners to NHTSA. No recalls, TSBs, or warranty programs cited.
Steering column electrical issues and clicking noises
After steering stiffness event, clicking noises appear in the steering column when turning. Suggests electrical or mechanical malfunction in column assembly. Owners also report concurrent electrical anomalies.
When: Occurs after initial steering failure event
Symptoms owners cite: Clicking or popping noises in steering column; Anti-theft alarm activates without cause; Key authentication errors (false 'incorrect key' warnings); Radio delayed startup
Repairs/costs cited: No specific repair costs cited for clicking noises. Issues not separately diagnosed or resolved.
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet trax. The contact stated that the steering seized in the middle of traffic when the contact attempted to turn the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle had a recall inspection performed for the same failure at jack schmitt Chevrolet of o'fallon (127 regency park, o'fallon, il 62269, (618) 628-2500). The vehicle was not repaired at that time. The dealer…
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 14 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 4,000 and 93,500 miles, with the median around 50,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 4,000; a quarter make it past 93,500. 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 $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?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.