2021 Chevrolet Trax problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 23 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2021 Chevrolet Trax has 23 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is electrical at 6 complaints (~$850 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Trax | 100 | 1 |
| 2019 Trax | 132 | 1 |
| 2020 Trax | 93 | 0 |
| 2021 Trax (this page) | 23 | 0 |
| 2022 Trax | 9 | 0 |
| 2024 Trax | 161 | 1 |
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 8.4/10 — 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.
Buying a used 2021 Chevrolet Trax? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- electrical — 6 owner reports · ~$850 to fix
- brakes — 4 owner reports · tends to show around 55,341 mi · ~$450 to fix
- airbags — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 85,500 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- engine — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 7,800 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 85,500 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2021 Chevrolet Trax
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 5 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
On 11/25/24 while my daughter was driving my 2021 Trax all of a sudden the engine light came on and my car lost power while lots of smoke began coming out of the exhaust pipe the car started to shake she thankfully made it to the Dealership service department where the codes…
Check engine light keeps coming on. Crankshaft sensor is the problem according to the code but the dealership says it’s the catalyst converter. Also my low power engine light came on.
1,992 miles. Two times when applying brakes hard the vehicle pulled hard to the right. Both times I narrowly avoided hitting the vehicle in front of me. I went to the service department they did a test drive and were unable to duplicate the issue. They checked the brake pads…
1,992 miles. Two times when applying brakes hard the vehicle pulled hard to the right. Both times I narrowly avoided hitting the vehicle in front of me. I went to the service department they did a test drive and were unable to duplicate the issue. They checked the brake pads…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Trax reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 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 2021 Chevrolet Trax?
On the NHTSA data, the 2021 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 8.4/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2021 Chevrolet Trax?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 6 owner complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2021 Chevrolet Trax a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 23 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2021 Chevrolet Trax?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 6 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. 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 2021 Chevrolet Trax?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 23 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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.