2020 Chevrolet Trax engine problems

Related recalls

No recalls on file.

What owners say

1. Filed Jul 15, 2026ILFireEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain

   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.…

   NHTSA complaint #11750507 · source
2. Filed May 4, 2026PAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11735568 · source
3. Filed Mar 24, 2026GAElectrical SystemEngineOther / Unknown

   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.

   NHTSA complaint #11726824 · source
4. Filed Feb 19, 2026NYEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

   I was driving my car and was at a stop sign and the vehicle started acting odd and it felt like it was lunging me forward. I was concerned that it was going to do it without my control and after that it almost sluggish and stalling until I could get it out of the intersection. Took it to a repair shop and the whole turbo unit needs to be replaced with 38,000 miles on it.

   NHTSA complaint #11719156 · source
5. Filed Jan 16, 2026OHEngine

   For coolant reservoir being made out of polypropylene materials that is resistant to expansion and cracking, the overflow line into my reservoir is severally cracked causing excessive leaking of coolant causing steam and engine overheating.

   NHTSA complaint #11711401 · source
6. Filed Dec 15, 2025NYEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Every winter because of the cold weather the tube for the turbo cracks and causes performance problems such as lack of throttle, sluggishness, limp mode activates. In limp mode the vehicle will only go about 10 miles per hour. This has happened on multiple occasions. In the warmer weather this problem does not arise. It is only in the winter time because the particular tube is made from plastic which breaks in cold weather.q

   NHTSA complaint #11705042 · source
7. Filed Nov 20, 202564,000 miALEngine

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11700565 · source
8. Filed Nov 2, 2025ALElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11697049 · source
9. Filed Sep 2, 2025WVEngine

   At 20,000 miles I was doing 70 which was the speed limit the engine light came on and flashed and put itself into limp mode it acted fine once the car was turned off and back on the dealer hooked a scanner up and said nothing but the electronic port was wrong which the charging port wouldn’t work half the time. At 149000 miles the water pump went out as soon as I paid it off due to Chevy dealer avoiding warranty work causing it to over heat and blow a head gasket.

   NHTSA complaint #11684633 · source
10. Filed Aug 10, 2025OHElectrical SystemEngineTransmission & Drivetrain

    The coolant reservoir is missing hoses which are supposed to be connected. The head gasket is completely blown out, which is under warranty. 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. Trax stopped in the middle of the traffic light on and 7/26/25 and had it towed.

    NHTSA complaint #11679691 · source
11. Filed Aug 1, 2025FLEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

    When putting shell premium gas I noticed my cars Rmps is way lower than usually and my acceleration is a lot slower/delayed I never had this problem when I put regular and midgrade (plus) gas furthermore I noticed I got a weird B3935 error check code but I don’t think that’s related to the gas though

    NHTSA complaint #11677872 · source
12. Filed Jul 30, 2025MAEngine

    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…

    NHTSA complaint #11677389 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. 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