2019 Chevrolet Trax Problems & Complaints

Use caution1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Trax at the same age

Owners have filed 136 complaints about the 2019 Chevrolet Trax with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 1.5× as many as a typical Trax model year at the same age — above average, so look closely at the problem areas below before you buy. The most reported problem area is the engine & cooling (42 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles). 2 recalls cover this model year.

136complaints
2recalls
9crashes
2fires
8injuries
0deaths

Most common 2019 Chevrolet Trax problems

  • Engine & cooling~55,000 miles
    4231%
  • Electrical system~36,000 miles
    2518%
  • Other / not specified~6,000 miles
    2115%
  • Suspension~9,000 miles
    1914%
  • Steering~3,000 miles
    1612%
  • Brakes~8,000 miles
    1410%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~74,000 miles
    118%
  • Wheels & tires~17,000 miles
    97%
  • Fuel & propulsion system
    97%
  • Speed control & acceleration
    86%
  • Body & structure~0 miles
    64%
  • Air bags~130,000 miles
    43%
  • Equipment & accessories~51,000 miles
    32%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~5,000 miles
    21%
  • Seats~1,000 miles
    21%
  • A/C & heater~200,000 miles
    21%
  • Stability & traction control~0 miles
    21%
  • Seat belts~41,000 miles
    11%

Share of the 136 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Chevrolet Trax complaints by model year

20142015201620172018201920202021202220242025202696120114102136982591809517
Owner complaints per model year, Chevrolet Trax. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Trax years: 2014, 2022, 2021. Years to avoid: 2024, 2025, 2019. Compare all years →

2019 Chevrolet Trax recalls (2)

Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint

NHTSA recall 19V-312 · Apr 18, 2019 · 112,958 vehicles

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.

Air bags › Air bag/restraint control module

NHTSA recall 18V-774 · Nov 1, 2018 · 12 vehicles

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018.

What 2019 Chevrolet Trax owners say

Engine & cooling all 42 →

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine and engine power reduced warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated pulled off the roadway and stopped the vehicle. The contact turned off the vehicle and on several occasions the vehicle regained normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure occurred in cold weather and the failure occurred at various speeds. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

79,000 miles · Nov 2022

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact's wife veered off the road to inspect underneath the hood of the vehicle when the radiator cap popped open and burned the contact's wife. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the cooling fan had malfunctioned. Additionally, the electrical circuits failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer where it was being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Cooling system › Fan · 80,000 miles · Jun 2023 · 1 injury

Electrical system all 25 →

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving approximately 55 MPH, the check battery light illuminated and the instrument panel lights started flashing before the power steering failed, causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle and drive into a ditch. During the failure, the front seat passenger sustained an injured neck but did not require immediate medical attention. The vehicle was later towed to the home. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer was contacted, and a service appointment was scheduled. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 102,000.

102,000 miles · Jul 2023 · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving approximately 10 MPH, he stopped at his mailbox and inadvertently left his key fob and keys at the mailbox. The contact stated he was able to drive to run several errands however, after stopping and turning off the vehicle, he realized that he had no key fob. The contact attempted to start the vehicle and saw the message that the key fob was not detected. The contact made a second attempt to start the vehicle, and the vehicle started up. The contact was able to drive the vehicle with no key fob to his residence. The contact retrieved the key fob from his mailbox. The contact stopped and turned off the vehicle and was able to restart normally. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. …

Ignition · 36,000 miles · Oct 2022

Suspension

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving at various speeds over bumps, the vehicle emitted squeaky sounds. The contact stated that as she depressed the brake pedal, the vehicle pulled towards to the right and hesitated to respond. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front driver's side tire tread was lower causing the failure. The dealer replaced the front driver's side tire however, the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and to an unknown dealer who informed the contact that the mechanic could not duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V312000 (Suspension) was previously completed on the vehicle. The failure mileage was approximately 8,000.

8,000 miles · Apr 2021

We purchased the vehicle June 1, 2021. We started hearing a popping noise when being driven. Sometimes it was often and sometimes every now and then. The trax is in the shop as of now. We were told there was a crack in the frame. They said they would weld the area, but it would take time. Car had to be taken apart piece by piece. I asked them what would cause the problem. I was told it was when the car was turned sharply. I have talked to several people and I was told that did not sound right. A sharp turn should not make the frame crack. I wanted the frame changed. They said they would weld it and it supposedly be good as new. I do not feel comfortable driving a vehicle with a welded frame. I think it is a safety risk for me or anyone else to drive it. This our only car we have. They weren't even going to give me a loaner car to use until I made some calls and finally got one. …

Jun 2021

2019 Chevrolet Trax engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
1.4L 4-cyl turbo6-speed automaticFWD26 / 31 / 28
1.4L 4-cyl turbo6-speed automaticAWD24 / 29 / 26

EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Chevrolet Trax a good car?

Based on 136 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2019 Trax rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Trax at the same age. It is one of the Trax years we suggest avoiding. 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 2019 Chevrolet Trax?

The engine & cooling — 42 complaints, 31% of all complaints for this model year, most often about cooling system › fan. Next are the electrical system (25) and suspension (19).

How many recalls does the 2019 Chevrolet Trax have?

There are 2 recalls for the 2019 Chevrolet Trax, the most recent from April 18, 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 2019 Chevrolet Trax problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 10,000 miles; 75% 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.