2017 Chevrolet Trax problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Chevrolet Trax, most often about engine. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
75
Recalls
3
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Median mileage
47,250 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 37 of 75 complaints (49%).
  • Electrical System (17) and steering (10) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 47,250 mi.
  • Owners reported 6 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries.
  • The 2017 Chevrolet Trax has 3 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 5th of 11 Chevrolet Trax model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).

2017 Chevrolet Trax problems by category

  • 37 complaints
  • Electrical System · 2 crashes
    17 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    13 complaints
  • Steering
    10 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain · 1 crash
    10 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    7 complaints
  • Brakes
    4 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers · 1 crash
    4 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    4 complaints
  • Suspension
    3 complaints
  • Airbags · 2 crashes
    2 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    2 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Body & Structure · 1 crash
    1 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine34
Electrical system16
Unknown or other13
Steering10
Power train10
Fuel/propulsion system7
Service brakes4
Vehicle speed control4

When problems happen (mileage)

2Under 10k310k–30k730k–60k760k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2017 Chevrolet Trax complaints that list mileage.

2017 Chevrolet Trax recalls (3)

  • Recall 19V652000Sep 12, 201993,722 vehicles
    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.

    Risk: A partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle could cause the attached front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle's handling and steering and increasing the risk of crash.

    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. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A192261870.

  • Recall 19V312000Apr 18, 2019112,958 vehicles
    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.

    Risk: A partial separation of the lower-control arm from the vehicle could cause the attached front wheel to toe outward, impacting the vehicle's handling and steering and increasing the risk of crash.

    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. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A182202370.

  • Recall 16V651000Sep 8, 20163,640,162 vehicles
    AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER

    General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain model year 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles and 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore, and 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles. In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash.

    Risk: A failure of the front air bags or seat belt pretensioners to deploy in the event of a crash necessitating deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver and front passenger.

    Remedy: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. Vehicles that have had a previous air bag deployment will have the SDM replaced. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 13, 2016. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300, Cadillac customer service at 1-800-458-8006, Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020, or GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782. GM's number for this recall is 16007.

Recent 2017 Chevrolet Trax complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Oct 7, 2026MOEngine
    My 2017 Chevrolet Trax experiences intermittent engine rough running, hesitation and loss of power when accelerating from a stop. It runs especially rough around the shift into second gear. At idle, such as in a drive-through, the engine shakes and the RPM repeatedly drops and rises as though it may stop. This is near-stalling; I have not confirmed a complete engine shutdown. The unpredictable hesitation and loss of power when moving away from a stop raise concern that the…
    NHTSA complaint #11769604 · source
  2. Filed Sep 24, 2026OHEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
    This car has experienced the same dangerous symptoms as reported in many cases on this site. Similar examples are NHTSA ID# 11756485, 11766116, 11756485 (nearly identical). What can I do. This 2017 vehicle was purchased in 2021 from a dealer for only $15K and had less than 50K miles. It has already cost us over $4k. What do you recommend?
    NHTSA complaint #11766719 · source
  3. Filed Sep 22, 2026FLElectrical SystemEngine
    I am filing this formal complaint regarding a severe, recurring, and catastrophic electrical and vehicle control system failure in my 2017 Chevrolet Trax. On multiple occasions while driving at highway speeds (70+ mph), the vehicle experienced simultaneous loss of critical safety and control systems—including power steering, traction control, and instrumentation displays—plunging the vehicle into a severe "limp mode." This sudden and unpredictable loss of control at high…
    NHTSA complaint #11766116 · source
  4. Filed Jul 21, 2026NCFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    Turbocharger on my 2017 Chevy Trax failed at approximately 80,000 miles. Took it in for repair and they reported that upon examination a 299 code appeared and the turbocharger needed to be replaced. Check engines light also came on.
    NHTSA complaint #11751924 · source
  5. Filed Jul 8, 2026NYTransmission & Drivetrain
    I work from home, so I drive my car maybe once a week and only on flat highways. One day, I heard a loud booming crack and then suddenly the vehicle was making a grinding noise and pulling strangely. I drove directly to a mechanic and had them looked at the vehicle since it was highly concerning to me. They said that the rear differential had split suddenly and that it was actually extremely dangerous that I had been driving still. They said if it had fully cracked it might…
    NHTSA complaint #11749154 · source
  6. Filed Jun 12, 2026WIEngine
    Vehicle engine light came on XXX and was driven immediately to Auto Zone to check the code. The code showed P0299. The vehicle was then taken 2 miles home and parked. It was towed to Lake Chevrolet in [XXX] on XXX to prevent any engine damage from occurring due to the failed turbo. Upon Lake's inspection they claim the manifold and valve cover gasket must be replaced. We agreed to that, and asked about an oil change as everything we read said that was mandatory with work…
    NHTSA complaint #11743806 · source
  7. Filed Apr 22, 202680,641 miNYTowedEngine
    The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that after the vehicle sat for a while on several occasions and was then driven, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. While driving on those occasions, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and DTC: P0171 was retrieved. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred approximately six months later. The vehicle was towed to the…
    NHTSA complaint #11733024 · source
  8. Filed Mar 12, 2026NYOther / Unknown
    My check engine light keeps staying on I go and have it scanned and they tell me it's sensors so each time I change my sensors the check engine light comes back on again, not sure how many sensor is that I have to keep changing in order for my check engine light to go off and I'm not sure if there's a problem with the diagnose of the engine light so I wanted to know if other people are having the same problem as me I can't keep paying to change all these sensors and each…
    NHTSA complaint #11723915 · source

Compare the 2017 Chevrolet Trax with another vehicle →

Other 2017 Chevrolet models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology