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 ↗2019 Chevrolet Trax steering problems
severe Owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Trax have filed 15 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
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
| Model year | steering complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 Trax | 13 |
| 2016 Trax | 14 |
| 2017 Trax | 19 |
| 2018 Trax | 9 |
| 2019 Trax (this page) | 15 |
| 2020 Trax | 4 |
1crash
1injury
What stands out
Among the 8 model years of Chevrolet Trax in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
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 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 ↗This service bulletin provides a vibration analysis worksheet the technician can use in conjunction with the appropriate Vibration Analysis-Road testing procedure when diagnosing vibration concerns.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe multiple steering problems in the 2019 Trax, the most common being a persistent rightward drift that forces constant leftward steering wheel pressure, unresponsive to alignment and tire work. Several owners report asymmetric steering effort—stiff turning left, loose turning right—with mechanic suspicion of rack-and-pinion failure; one owner had the AC Delco rack replaced twice in three months without resolution.
Cold weather triggers a distinct failure: steering wheel locks or becomes extremely stiff below 20°F, especially severe below 10°F, with power steering unable to center the wheel after turns. One owner reported this starting around 60,000 miles; a dealership replaced the steering rack under warranty but recommended a steering column kit replacement.
One critical incident involved sudden power steering failure at 102,000 miles while driving 55 MPH, accompanied by check battery light and flashing dash lights, sending the vehicle into a ditch and injuring the passenger's neck. A steering column module failure prevented leftward turning until the dealer replaced the entire column, though the problem recurred the next day. Steering wheel vibration at moderate highway speeds and a false power steering warning light also appear in the narratives. Most owners report dealerships either could not resolve the issues or refused to attempt repairs.
Same Chevrolet Trax steering reports on nearby years: 2016 · 2017
Failure modes owners describe
Vehicle pulls to right; constant steering correction required
Car drifts or pulls consistently to the right while driving, requiring the driver to hold constant left pressure on the steering wheel to maintain straight-line travel. Happens at all speeds and is worse in rain. Some owners report alignment checks came back acceptable, but the pull persists.
When: Reported within days to weeks of purchase; affects vehicles across various mileages
Symptoms owners cite: Constant rightward drift while driving; Requires continuous left steering wheel pressure to maintain straight course; Happens at highway and city speeds; Worse in wet conditions; Persists after tire rotation and wheel alignment
Repairs/costs cited: Dealerships performed alignments and tire rotations; one independent shop confirmed pull despite good alignment. Some cases sent to multiple dealers without resolution.
Steering wheel stiffness and asymmetric turning resistance
Steering wheel exhibits abnormal stiffness and resistance that varies by direction. Wheel is stiff when turning left and loose or easier when turning right. Multiple owners suspect rack-and-pinion failure.
When: Early ownership; one case noted issue within days of purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel stiff when turning left; Loose or reduced resistance when turning right; Difficulty maintaining control on leftward curves; Unequal steering effort between directions
Repairs/costs cited: One mechanic shop (Belle Tire) suspected rack-and-pinion problem. AC Delco manual rack-and-pinion has been replaced multiple times on at least one vehicle in 3 months (part numbers: A118338053, 2110200000000x, 812563302, 4250 8252).
Steering column module failure; inability to turn in one direction
Steering column module fails, preventing the vehicle from turning in one direction (left in the reported case). Dealership replacement of entire steering column required; issue recurred the day after initial repair.
When: Early in ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle cannot turn left (or unable to turn in one direction); Can still turn in opposite direction; Sudden onset while driving; Recurrence after initial repair
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership replaced entire steering column due to failing module. Issue cleared temporarily but recurred within one day.
Cold-weather steering lock and stiffness
Steering wheel becomes frozen or extremely stiff during cold starts (below 20°F, severe below 10°F). Power steering does not return wheel to center after turns in extreme cold. Condition resolves when cabin warms up or at higher temperatures.
When: Started around 60,000 miles; occurs during winter cold snaps
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel frozen or unmovable on cold morning start; Extreme stiffness requiring manual force to move wheel; Power steering does not return wheel to center on turns in cold; Condition clears at warmer temperatures; No warning lights or diagnostic codes triggered
Repairs/costs cited: Chevy dealership replaced steering rack under warranty. Dealership recommended steering column kit replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Steering rack replaced under warranty; steering column kit replacement recommended by dealer but not yet completed
Sudden power steering failure at speed
Power steering failed without warning while vehicle was being driven at highway speed, accompanied by illumination of check battery light and flashing instrument panel lights. Driver lost control and drove into a ditch; passenger sustained neck injury.
When: At 102,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check battery light illuminated; Instrument panel lights flashed; Power steering failed suddenly; Loss of vehicle control; Vehicle left roadway into ditch
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed home; dealer service appointment scheduled but cause not yet determined at time of report
Steering wheel vibration and vehicle wobble
Steering wheel vibrates and vehicle wobbles and hesitates while driving at moderate highway speeds (40–60 MPH). Owner struggled with steering control but was able to regain control.
When: At 3,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibration at 40–60 MPH; Vehicle wobble and hesitation; Difficulty maintaining steering control
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to dealership (New Smyrna Beach Chevrolet, FL); dealer unable to read diagnostic codes and did not repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware but did not assist; vehicle not repaired
Power steering warning light; no actual steering loss
Dashboard illuminates with warning that power steering and brakes are affected, but diagnostic testing found no actual issue. Dealership advised driver to pull over, turn off engine if warning recurs.
When: Early in lease (leased March 2019 with 79 miles)
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard light claiming power steering and brake issue; No actual steering or brake failure detected
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership performed diagnostic test; no issue found
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle already subject to one recall on this make/model
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering trouble with your 2019 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 2019 Chevrolet Trax?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 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 15 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 22,660 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?
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/2019/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.