Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2020 Chevrolet Trax owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2020 Chevrolet TRAX. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the contact stated that smoke entered the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated that the smoke came into the interior through the vents. The contact stopped the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that immediately after exiting the vehicle, the vehicle was in flames. The Fire Department arrived and extinguished the fire. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The vehicle was condemned total loss. The contact did not sustain any injuries. A Police report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and an inspection was completed. The contact was informed that the failure was not a manufacturer defect. The failure mileage was approximately 38,000.
CRITICAL SAFETY INCIDENT / LIFE-THREATENING VEHICLE FIRE HAZARD. On January 2, 2026, I purchased a 2020 Chevrolet Trax. Within less than five months, while driving in active traffic, the vehicle suffered a sudden, catastrophic powertrain failure. The vehicle completely lost all acceleration, leaving me trapped and stranded in a highly dangerous roadway position. Immediately following the power failure, the engine bay filled with heavy smoke and began severely overheating. The vehicle came within moments of bursting into a full thermal engine fire. This vehicle was a rolling death trap that almost killed me on the road. No one is taking this life-threatening safety failure seriously. …
Compr este carro en medio de una necesidad al dealer REAL TRUCKS AND CARS en buenas condiciones con 2000$ de downpayment y nunca me respondieron por la garant a del carro y encima tuve m s de 2000$ en gastos y el d a que decido cambiar el carro me llega la informaci n de que ese carro ten a un t tulo rebuild y dos choques fuertes en el pasado con da os en el chasis y el historial que me hab an dado en el dealer estaba adulterado porque evidentemente no aparec a nada de lo detallado, posteriormente al reclamo, la persona que me lo vendi me amenazo con agredirme cuando se encontrara conmigo y se burl m o por el dinero que me quit y lo que gan l y todo lo que yo perd ... incluso quiero una compensaci n reclamando todo el dinero que le invert al carro, el downpayment y da os y prejuicios causados...
The contact owned a 2020 Chevrolet TRAX. The contact stated that since the vehicle was purchased, the engine had been failing. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from underneath the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, the engine overheated. The engine temperature warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle remained at the dealer unrepaired. Most recently, the vehicle was repossessed. The dealer made the manufacturer aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 64,000.
My full complaint of the 2020 trax after buying brand new and only I as the owner and driver. Nov 2023- seat belts would not stay latched. We found out slamming on the breaks for a tractor trailer that flipped in front of us on 495. February 2024 - dash screen out, on and off as it wanted. February 2024- Heat and AC control not turning like they were super glued March 2024- dash screen out again complete black out April 2026- strut replacement @60,000 miles April 2026- water pump coolant leak April 2026- 3 serpentine belts in 3 days. I think that's all the consumer needs to be aware of, make a logical choice but the extra warranty it will save you I promise. All items have been covered by warranty, extended warranty or special warranty coverage. Make sure you research. And definitely make sure your dealership upholds their word and warranty. …
When driving my car around a 15 mile drive my car displays a Engine Overheating - Idle Engine message on my dash display and I go straight home to inspect the car and notice as shown in the photo I took the cap slowly after the car cooled down and I refilled it with antifreeze and close it and the hose/cable for the antifreeze was squeezing in antifreeze normally it would be out and took it for a little drive and someone from the outside of the car too see for any leaks it wasn't leaking visibly it seems to be internal or a thermostat issue when driving for 5 minutes almost all of my antifreeze was drained this can be a safety issue especially if I kept driving as the engine would most likely stop to prevent engine could be especially harmful if I was on the turnpike or expressway
Turbo has failed twice causing loss of power and it is EXTREMELY dangerous on highway. As it takes considerable amount of time to reach highway speeds. And the risk for getting in an accident is VERY high. There shouldn't be a turbo replacement every 4 months. Considering each replacement at the dealership ~ $2000. I find it hard to fathom how the 2017-2018 Chevrolet Trax get special coverage up to 120,000 mi. for failed turbo chargers yet I have the same scenario for a 2020 Trax. But EVERYTHING is out of my pocket . I have a [redacted] son and would prefer not to tell his mom we were rear ended due to a sudden lose of power in a vehicle that is becoming completely unsafe.
1 problem happen several times last year 2024 my radiator fan stay on for long time after the car was turn off it should shutoff after 15 min but it stay on when I try to start my car the battery is dead, So I took to Carroll Chevrolet and they look at the car couldn't find any problem no light can on the dash board, No indicator light can on, So they told me there was nothing wrong, When the battery is dead no indicator light come on the dash to indicate that there is a problem, This happen at least 7 times last year during the Summer Months, So what I have to do is disconnect the battery and when I ready too get back in my car I have to re hook up the battery so I can start my car. I shouldn't have to do this. No invoice
Since purchasing the vehicle brand new, the transmission went out at 30,000 miles (mostly the accelerator components), the water pump, motor, and fuel pump all went out around 90,000 miles. Have gotten all things fixed, but lights keep popping back up no matter what gets repaired. Excessive overheating-three signs light up on the dashboard: red thermometer indicating an overheating engine; check engine light; and check engine light with arrow pointing downward indicating engine speed to be reduced. This car is a danger to anyone in it or around it.
Digital Display & information screen goes black, you can't see anything at all. I had an issue with my Trax not to long after I purchased it had to take it back to dealership told service manager about it, nothing was done about the display. With the display out you couldn't read any warnings at all not even temperature and blown my engine. My Trax didn't have regular gages. The dealership had free lifetime powertrain warranty, now they don't want to put a new engine it.
Engine complaints in other Trax years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2020 Chevrolet Trax?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2020 Chevrolet Trax, 24% of the model year's 98 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2020 Chevrolet Trax engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2020 Chevrolet Trax. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2020 Chevrolet Trax engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 38,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.