Most common 2018 Chevrolet Trax problems
Share of the 102 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Chevrolet Trax complaints by model year
Best Trax years: 2014, 2022, 2021. Years to avoid: 2024, 2025, 2019. Compare all years →
2018 Chevrolet Trax recalls (2)
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2015-2018 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower control arm from the vehicle.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2019.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Chevrolet Trax vehicles. A joint in one or both of the front lower-control arms may have been improperly welded. An improperly welded joint may break, resulting in the partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle.
Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began June 14, 2019.
What 2018 Chevrolet Trax owners say
Suspension all 34 →
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while the vehicle was receiving an oil change, the contact was informed that the suspension was fracturing and detaching and needed to be replaced. The contact was also informed that the rear seat pivot lock failed, and the passenger's side control arm needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that there was a knocking sound while turning. The contact stated that there was grinding sound coming from the vehicle while accelerating. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and that the driver's side control arm was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V652000 (Suspension) after an inspection. The approximate failure mileage is 10,153. The contact stated that the left side had been replaced a while back under the recall. They were unaware that both sides were supposed to get fixed. …
The steering of the vehicle is very tight and it doesn't spring back when turning the wheel on its own like most vehicles do . you have to manually bring your steering wheel back for the wheels to turn straight again..and this isn't normal by any means ... Also, The turbocharger in my vehicle isnt working correctly and is causing my check engine light to be on even after engine codes have issues have been repaired. I've changed air filters.. I've changed mass air flow sensors.. I've changed the intake manifold and the engine light comes back on after accelerating.. The engine code that keeps coming back on and returning is p0299.. this is an issue with the turbo boost.. And this is also something that has been recalled for other model Chevy lf the Chevy Trax.. …
Engine & cooling all 31 →
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated. The accelerator pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. Additionally, the contact stated that abnormal sounds were coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated that the failure originally occurred three years ago however, the failure had become persistent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was diagnosed turbo charger failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had previously received unknown manufacturer communication documentation which advised of a potential turbo charger failure with the vehicle. The contact was informed that parts to complete the repair were not available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 21,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle had experienced a loss of motive power. The vehicle did not properly accelerate while depressing the accelerator pedal. On several occasions the vehicle stalled while idling. Additionally, while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, with the stabili-trak message displayed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the turbo charger and exhaust flex pipe were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Electrical system
The contact's aunt owns a 2018 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle started to malfunction, and the rear and front passenger's side seat belts seized. The check engine warning light, traction control warning light, and power steering assist warning light illuminated. The contact then stated that while the accelerator pedal was depressed, the vehicle started to decelerate, the transmission disengaged, and the steering wheel seized. The contact stated that she was able to coast the vehicle off the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column and the main computer had inadvertently disconnected. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.
The contact owns a 2018 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that the infotainment system was intermittently inoperable; however, the infotainment system and the instrument cluster had become inoperable. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under warranty or a recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 36,645.
2018 Chevrolet Trax engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 25 / 33 / 28 |
| 1.4L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 24 / 30 / 27 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2018 Chevrolet Trax a good car?
Based on 102 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2018 Trax rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Trax at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Chevrolet Trax?
The suspension — 34 complaints, 33% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (31) and electrical system (18).
How many recalls does the 2018 Chevrolet Trax have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2018 Chevrolet Trax, the most recent from September 12, 2019 (lower ball joint). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Chevrolet Trax?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2022 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2025 and 2019. See the full Chevrolet Trax years comparison.
At what mileage do 2018 Chevrolet Trax problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 28,000 miles; 74% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.