On 2/17, I purchased a 2018 Chevy trax. The engine light came on 12/20/19 therefore I took it to the dealership. The diagnostics revealed two problems but only one was covered under the warranty. Problem 1. Turbo leaking at joint to inlet coupler (covered). Problem 2. Oxygen sensor defective (not covered). I have 63,676 miles on my trax and I was told that the warranty expired at 60,800 miles…
2018 Chevrolet Trax electrical problems
severe 14 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850 · see electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
14
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 14 electrical complaints filed for the 2018 Chevrolet Trax, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2018 Chevrolet Trax shows a pattern of widespread electrical system failures—dashboard blackouts, warning light glitches, blower motor failures, and infotainment dropouts—that dealers consistently cannot diagnose or repair, leaving owners with persistent problems even after service visits and parts replacement. Critical safety issues including sudden steering loss and loss of transmission control at 48,000 miles make this vehicle a risky used-car purchase.
Owners describe a consistent pattern of electrical system instability across this vehicle. Dashboard displays go completely black—both the digital and analog speedometers—leaving drivers unable to read vehicle speed, while warning lights flicker on and off unpredictably. The infotainment system intermittently becomes inoperable at mileages as low as 36,645, disabling the radio and rear camera feed with no warning lights to explain the failure.
Blower motor and resistor components fail repeatedly, with multiple owners reporting replacements totaling over $1,000 and wiring harness melting. One owner reports receiving a "service rear camera system error" from day one. Door locks unlock and lock spontaneously; horns activate without input and resist deactivation. Turn signal and overhead light functions are delayed.
More serious: one owner reports the steering column and main computer disconnected while driving at 48,000 miles, causing sudden loss of power steering, transmission disengagement, and seatbelt seizure. Another reports engine shutdown preceded by burning plastic smell, with dead-battery symptoms persisting after battery and alternator replacement.
Dealers consistently report they cannot replicate or diagnose these issues, even with GM Engineering consultation. Repairs are frequently not covered under warranty.
Same Chevrolet Trax electrical reports on nearby years: 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2019 · 2020
Failure modes owners describe
Dashboard and instrument cluster blackout
Digital and analog speedometer, warning lights, and infotainment display go black intermittently or completely fail. When inoperative, speedometer becomes unreliable or unreadable, creating safety hazard. Affects driver's ability to monitor vehicle speed and status.
When: October 2020 onwards; reported at 36,645 miles and 25,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Digital speedometer goes black; Analog speedometer needle swings to extremes or goes black; Multiple warning lights (oil, engine, door open, tire, ABS, brake, battery) flicker on and off; Infotainment screen goes blank; radio plays but display is black; Yellow margin lines appear on radio display; Entire dash blackout lasting extended time before recovery
Codes mentioned: Check engine light, Oil warning, ABS warning, Brake warning, Battery warning
Repairs/costs cited: Radio replaced October 2020; issue recurred November 2020. Dealer unable to replicate or fix despite GM Engineering consultation. Infotainment and instrument cluster repair not covered under warranty at 36,645 miles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM Engineering consulted but unable to resolve; case opened by manufacturer per narrative #2
Door lock and horn malfunction
Door locks unlock and lock spontaneously. Horn activates suddenly without user input and continues sounding for extended duration, resisting driver attempts to silence it. Failures are intermittent and unpredictable.
When: Approximately 25,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Door locks unlock and lock suddenly and intermittently; Horn activates spontaneously on startup; Horn blares continuously for approximately 3 minutes; Repeated horn button pressing does not deactivate horn
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to identify or duplicate issues; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified and case opened
Blower motor and resistor failure
Blower motor and blower motor resistor fail repeatedly throughout vehicle ownership. Multiple owners report replacing these components multiple times, with costs exceeding $1,000 per owner. Wiring harness melting suspected. Component failures prevent heating and air conditioning function, creating safety hazard in extreme temperatures.
When: Multiple failures over vehicle ownership; fresh from dealership in some cases
Symptoms owners cite: Blower motor does not operate; Blower motor resistor does not operate; No air conditioning or heat output; Wire loom melting; Burning smell from heating/AC compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Blower motor and resistor replaced multiple times per owner; costs exceed $1,000 total. Known issue acknowledged by dealership and auto repair facilities.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Described as well-known issue by dealership and repair facilities; no TSB or recall cited by owners
Infotainment and reverse camera system failure
Rear camera system reports error; infotainment display becomes completely inoperable, disabling radio and reverse camera functionality. Issues appear fresh from delivery and recur throughout ownership. Repairs not covered under warranty.
When: From delivery through 65,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Service rear camera system error; Entire dash blackout; Radio display completely black; Reverse camera does not function; Display takes extended time to recover
Codes mentioned: Service rear camera system error
Repairs/costs cited: Not covered under warranty at 36,645 miles. No repairs completed; issue persists.
Engine stalling on acceleration
Vehicle feels like it is stalling when accelerator is depressed from stop. Feels as though engine is dying. Issue persists even after dealer service attempts.
When: Before September 18 service appointment
Symptoms owners cite: Stalling sensation when pushing on gas from a stop; Engine feels like it is dying out during acceleration
Codes mentioned: Check engine light
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to identify cause; emission control component was replaced (specific part not named) but issue persists
Steering column and main computer disconnection
Steering column and main computer inadvertently disconnect while vehicle is in motion. Results in sudden loss of power steering, transmission disengagement, and seatbelt seizure. Vehicle became uncontrollable; driver able to coast to safety. Represents critical safety failure.
When: Approximately 48,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle malfunction while driving; Rear and front passenger seatbelts seize; Check engine warning light illuminates; Traction control warning light illuminates; Power steering assist warning light illuminates; Vehicle decelerates suddenly despite pedal depression; Transmission disengages; Steering wheel seizes
Codes mentioned: Check engine, Traction control, Power steering assist
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer; diagnosed but not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer not notified
Turn signal and overhead light delay
Turn signal flashing is delayed when activated; overhead interior light does not function properly and has slow response time when toggled. Overhead light required replacement.
When: Before September 18 service appointment
Symptoms owners cite: Turn signal delays several seconds before flashing begins; Overhead interior light does not function as expected; Overhead light has delayed activation
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced overhead light; turn signal issues persist
Multiple electrical warning lights and system errors
Vehicle generates numerous error codes and warning lights indicating low voltage, main system errors, service AWD, service power steering, service theft deterrent system, and others. Codes appear randomly and cycling on and off. Represents widespread electrical system malfunction.
When: From delivery through 65,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light comes on randomly and shuts off; Service AWD warning light; Service power steering warning light with faulty power steering during driving; Service theft deterrent system light illuminated; Multiple error codes (low voltage, main system errors); Every error code appearing simultaneously
Codes mentioned: Check engine, Low voltage codes, Main system errors, Service AWD, Service power steering, Service theft deterrent system
Repairs/costs cited: Codes checked but not resolved; numerous error codes present
Random starting failure
Vehicle randomly refuses to start despite battery and alternator testing good. Issue recurs unpredictably. Contributes to pattern of electrical system unreliability.
When: Near 65,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle randomly does not start; No start condition despite good battery and alternator
Repairs/costs cited: Battery and alternator verified as good; root cause not identified
Coolant hose and fan connection failure
Plastic fan hose connection cracks and detaches, spraying coolant throughout engine bay and causing overheating. Plastic component lacks durability. Same failure recurs one month after repair.
When: Undisclosed; repair required, failed again one month later
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle smokes under hood; Coolant sprayed throughout engine bay; Engine overheats
Repairs/costs cited: Hose repaired; plastic piece cracked again one month later. Over $700 spent on this issue
AWD system control module failure
All-wheel-drive system control module fails, disabling AWD functionality. Module replacement not covered under powertrain warranty. Owner discovered GM issued special coverage for this module and wiring harness on other vehicles but this vehicle excluded.
When: Undisclosed mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of AWD functionality; Service AWD warning light
Codes mentioned: Service AWD
Repairs/costs cited: Module replacement required; not covered under powertrain warranty. Owner paid out of pocket. Known issue with special coverage available on other model year vehicles.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: GM special coverage available for some vehicles but not this one
Transmission leak and start/stop system defect
Transmission leak attributed to defective start/stop system. Vehicle barely moves forward or stops moving entirely when brought to a stop. Issue matches known recall but vehicle exclusion status unclear.
When: Undisclosed
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission leaking; Vehicle barely moves forward at stops; Vehicle does not move forward from stop
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer refuses to repair; requires customer authorization and action
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall exists for same year and make but vehicle may be excluded despite matching issue description
Engine shutdown and burning smell
Engine shuts off unexpectedly. Strong smell of burning plastic from engine bay precedes shutdown. AC system failure (blowing only hot air) preceded complete shutdown. After battery and alternator replacement, vehicle still will not start and continues to smell of burning plastic.
When: Recent ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shuts off; Strong smell of burning plastic from engine bay; AC blows only hot air (no cool air); Vehicle will not start after battery and alternator replacement
Repairs/costs cited: Battery and alternator replaced; vehicle still will not start. Burning plastic smell continues.
Transmission slipping during gear shifts
Transmission slips when shifting from park to reverse and reverse to drive. Represents improper engagement and potential transmission control electrical defect.
When: From delivery through 65,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle slips while shifting from park to reverse; Vehicle slips while shifting from reverse to drive
Synthesized from 14 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
When I'm at a stop and try to push on the gas it feels like it's stalling out, I've also had problems with the radio and turn signal, I've had the radio screen be completely black but the radio was playing and on other times after taking it out of reverse and putting it in drive and actually driving down the street the two yellow margin lines still appear on the screen across the radio station…
Had electrical trouble with your 2018 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 electrical problem on the 2018 Chevrolet Trax?
It's a meaningful issue. 14 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 14 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 43,098 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical 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/2018/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.