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2016 Chevrolet Trax Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 120 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Trax, most often about the engine (39% of complaints, typically around 68,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Trax model year since 2000 and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2016 Chevrolet Trax problems
Engine
47 complaints · 39%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine.
When I turn left, the right side makes a popping noise around the ball joint. Reservoir coolant tank leaks, and no tempature guage.. There is no way to tell if my car over heats until the light comes on and I have to pull over then? I have never seen a vehicle not have a tempature guage!! Also my passenger seat belt…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the rear windshield cracked without impact. An unknown dealer was contacted however, due to the distance, the contact was unable to have the vehicle taken to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware…
Electrical
24 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 49,500 miles.
I was driving on a suburban road and my engine light, and stabilitrak light came on and it was suddenly driving as though I was on huge boulders and rock and shaking and having a difficult time gasing. I had to get it towed and barely made it home a couple miles away. The dealor mechanic said my cars driveshaft broke…
At 30k miles all lights would light up and something would drive wrong. From steering to low acceleration and everything in between. Dealership unable to figure out problem as well as local shops. It's back in at dealership. They recently ordered the underhood fuse box to be installed at $980.00 and now telling me…
Air bags
19 complaints · 16%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
I wrecked my car and the air bags didn't deployed the fire department was worried why they didn't the wreck totalled my Trax. I was a main highway.
I had a 2016 Chevrolet Trax and I had a accident and it was to the front of my Trax and the insurance totaled it but the air bags did not deployed. 2016 Chevrolet Trax the VIN # [] I was just seeing if they were a defective air bags in the car . Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5…
Other or unspecified
15 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 28,000 miles.
Started driving and in 10 minutes the car started hesitating and suddenly stalled. The engine light and the stability light also went on.. I was able to start the car again just long enough to park it on the side of the road. Waited for tow which was taking long in 96 degree weather. So I drove the car home (15…
My daughter was driving the chevy Trax when the engine light came on. I scanned the car when she got home. Code was p0420 for low converter efficiency. I put the car up on my car lift and found that the flex pipe behind the converter was separated most likely from rust. This is allowing exhaust gasses into the car and…
Steering
14 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 37,500 miles.
One morning when going to start the vehicle, the power steering would not work and the power steering indicator light would remain on. The vehicle was parked in my driveway. After a couple of hours, I would start the vehicle and the power steering would work with no issues. The next morning, the same thing happened…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Trax. When the contact started the vehicle, the steering wheel seized and was unable to be turned. The dealer (headquarter nissan, 1725 whittlesey rd, columbus, ga 31904, ([phone]) stated that they did not have the tools to diagnose the failure and suggested taking the vehicle to a…
Transmission
13 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles.
We had a problem shifting gears. The problem occurred while in moving at very slow speed (0-3mph) in a parking spot (in a lot), moving forward and back while demonstrating the use of the car, with a rented chevy Trax 2016 model which had been previously rented by the time we acquired it. First, we were able to shift…
Started driving and in 10 minutes the car started hesitating and suddenly stalled. The engine light and the stability light also went on.. I was able to start the car again just long enough to park it on the side of the road. Waited for tow which was taking long in 96 degree weather. So I drove the car home (15…
Brakes
9 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 8,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Trax. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lost brake functionality and was involved in a crash. The failure occurred without warning. A police report was filed and there were no injuries. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be replicated. The manufacturer was…
We had an single car crash. The car went over a curb and down an embankment and [] near took out a wooden walk way with people near by on the walkway it ended up totaling ($20,000 in damage ) our brand new chevy Trax 2016. And when all 11.......... Airbags right 11 airbags and not one when off and we both had seat…
Suspension
7 complaints · 6%When I turn left, the right side makes a popping noise around the ball joint. Reservoir coolant tank leaks, and no tempature guage.. There is no way to tell if my car over heats until the light comes on and I have to pull over then? I have never seen a vehicle not have a tempature guage!! Also my passenger seat belt…
The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving out of the driveway, there was a loud snapping sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while attempting to drive back to the residence, the steering wheel became inoperable. Additionally, there was a grinding sound coming from…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2016 Chevrolet Trax recalls
Suspension: lower ball joint
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: pretensioner
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.
Fix: 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 august 4, 2017. 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 17287.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2014-2016 buick lacrosse and chevrolet spark EV, caprice ppv and ss vehicles, 2014-2017 buick encore and chevrolet corvette, silverado 1500 and gmc sierra 1500 vehicles, 2015-2016 cadillac escalade and escalade esv, chevrolet tahoe, trax, suburban and silverado 2500 and 3500 and gmc yukon and yukon xl vehicles, and 2015-2017 gmc sierra hd 2500 and 3500 vehicles. While being previously remedied for recall 16v-651, the affected vehicles may not have received the complete software update necessary to remedy the recall condition. Without the update, 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.
Seat belts: pretensioner
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Electrical: software
Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The recall began on july 22, 2016. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is 45340.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2015-2016 chevrolet sonic and trax, and 2013-2015 spark vehicles equipped with a bring your own media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver fails to fasten their seatbelt or if the driver leaves the key in the ignition. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) numbers 208 "occupant crash protection" and 114 "theft protection."
Electrical: software
Risk: Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.
Fix: Gm will notify owners, and dealers will update the radio software, free of charge. The manufacturer has not yet provided a notification schedule. Owners may contact chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. Gm's number for this recall is 17130.
Full defect summary
General motors llc (gm) is recalling certain model year 2013-2016 chevrolet sonic and trax vehicles and 2013-2015 chevrolet spark vehicles equipped with a bring your own media radio. The affected radios may fail to provide an audible warning chime when the driver, after turning off the ignition and leaving the key in the cylinder, waits 10 minutes or longer to open the door. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 114 "theft protection."
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2016 Chevrolet Trax
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (47 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles); electrical (24 complaints, typically around 49,500 miles); air bags (19 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2016 Chevrolet Trax have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 12, 2019 (suspension). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2016 a bad year for the Chevrolet Trax?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Trax model year since 2000, with 120 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.