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2016 Chevrolet Trax Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2016 Chevrolet Trax carries 5 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering lower ball joint and frontal. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Catalytic converter failure and P0420 code.” Chevrolet vehicles use the GM Oil Life System (OLS) — a percentage-based monitor that calculates oil life from driving conditions, not fixed mileage. When the OLS drops to 0%, oil and filter are due. The schedule below reflects GM's Normal Use intervals for everything else.

5 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Campaign #19V652000 · Dec 9, 2019

Issue: 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.

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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Campaign #16V651000 · Aug 9, 2016

Issue: 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.

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Campaign #16V422000 · Oct 6, 2016

Issue: 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."

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.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Campaign #17V437000 · Oct 7, 2017

Issue: 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.

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.

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

Campaign #16V257000 · Apr 28, 2016

Issue: 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."

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.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Chevrolet Trax.

Reported to NHTSA

Catalytic converter failure and P0420 code

ENGINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2020-12 → 2025-12

“I have replaced five catalytic converters since I have owned this vehicle. Please advise”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11706023
“CHECK ENGINE LOT CAME ON AND TRAX GOING THROUGH GAS FASTER THAN USUAL. DID A TEST GOT THE CODE P0420. MOST LIKELY THE O2 SENSOR BUT COULD POSSIBLY BE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11397779
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11385017

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Paint peeling on exterior body panels

STRUCTURE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2020-03 → 2024-09

“The paint is peeling on the 2016 Chevy Trax. When I looked up the issue, I noticed tons of people had complaints about the same paint color for their Chevy Trax”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11612361
“THE PAINT STARTED TO PEEL OFF THE BACK PANEL OF MY CAR UNDER THE BACK WINDOW. DEALERSHIP AND CHEVY SAID IT DID NOT QUALIFY FOR CORROSION WARRANTY AND DID NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11351430
“MY PAINT STARTED PEELING OFF THE REAR OF MY CAR. I'VE TAKEN MY CAR TO DIFFERENT DEALERS AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE'S NOTHING THAT CAN'T BE DONE BC I'M OUT OF WARRANTY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11316887

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Dashboard, radio, and backup camera electrical failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2017-01 → 2024-10

“I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2016 CHEVY TRAX ON 10/31/16. ONE WEEK LATER, I WENT INTO THE GARAGE, GOT INTO MY NEW CAR WHICH STATED RIGHT AWAY BUT I HAD NO DASHBOARD LIGHTS SO I HAD NO IDEA WHAT SPEED I WAS TRAVELING. I HAD NO RADIO OR REAR CAMERA BACK UP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10940046
“GOT THIS VEHICLE ON 07/23/2016, THE VEHICLE HAD MAJOR ISSUES UNTIL 09/2018. IN SEPTEMBER 2018 I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE ORIGINAL LOT TO HAVE IT INSPECTED AS WHEN SWITCHING THE FAN FOR THE A/C FROM 3 TO 4 ON THE BLOWER MOTOR SETTINGS STOPPED WORKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11219951
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11378122

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Turbocharger failure and loss of power during acceleration

ENGINE

30 NHTSA complaints · 2017-09 → 2026-08

“2016 Chevrolet Trax experienced turbocharger failure in June 2024. Initial minor acceleration inconsistencies progressed to dangerous turbulence and power loss during acceleration at both high and low speeds, with check engine light temporarily illuminating”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11640484
“The turbocharger in my Chevrolt Trax suffered a stuck wastegate actuator on an interstate while coming up to speed, which caused dramatic loss of power and an inability to safely merge onto the road (top speed was now 35; I-49 has a 70 mph limit”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11471348
“My trax turbo went out at like 60K and caused my car to shake and stall whenever I was breaking. This would happen at lights and stop me from being able to start my car and placing me and other drivers in a dangerous situation”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11522105

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Passenger airbag sensor malfunction and non-deployment

AIR BAGS

13 NHTSA complaints · 2016-12 → 2024-05

“The contact owns a 2016 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she became aware that the passenger’s side air bag warning light remained off, while her daughter or fiancé was seated in the passenger’s seat”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11465325
“I see in the past that there is/was a recall on the airbag system for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax. My front passenger airbag light stays on in the off setting and it is unknown if if was fixed or checked by the previous owner”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11474826
“WE HAD AN SINGLE CAR CRASH. THE CAR WENT OVER A CURB AND DOWN AN EMBANKMENT AND [XXX] 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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10935438

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering wheel lock-up and power steering failure

STEERING

13 NHTSA complaints · 2017-03 → 2026-04

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11288608
“STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP (CANNOT TURN) WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10959169
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11360283

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Service brake squealing and brake failure

SERVICE BRAKES

7 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2019-11

“ABOUT 3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING THIS BRAND NEW CAR, THE BRAKES STARTED SQUEALING WHEN STOPPING. I TOKE IN TO LAWRENCE HALL CHEVROLET ABILENE, TEXAS, THEY COULDN'T RECREATE THE NOISE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11097620
“TRAX HAS SQUEAKY AND SQUEALING BRAKES EVERY TIME BRAKES ARE APPLIED. THIS NOISE STARTED OFF EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE, NOW IS A CONSISTENT HEADACHE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10927752
“I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO A RED LIGHT AND THE BRAKE FROZE, IT WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO PRESS DOWN, I ENDED UP HITTING ANOTHER CAR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11104812

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (per Oil Life System)

Every 7,500 mi

Change oil when the Oil Life System reaches 0% or every 12 months — whichever comes first. dexos1-approved synthetic oil required on all gas engines since 2011.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 7,500 mi

Rotate tires every 7,500 miles. Silverado 4x4 and Tahoe owners benefit from earlier rotations to even out drivetrain wear.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake at each tire rotation. Equinox and Malibu front pads typically last 40,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

GM specifies brake fluid replacement based on contamination testing. Test every 30,000 miles; replace if moisture content exceeds 3% or fluid appears dark.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 45,000 mi

GM long-life cellulose air filters are rated 45,000 miles. Direct-injection engines are sensitive to airflow restriction; inspect at every oil change.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 45,000 mi

Severe service (heavy towing, frequent stop-and-go, dusty conditions): replace every 45,000 miles. Normal service: 97,500 miles. Use Dexron-VI on 6L80/8L90 transmissions.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Transfer Case Fluid (4WD)

Every 45,000 mi

Silverado 4WD and Tahoe 4WD: replace transfer case fluid every 45,000 miles, sooner if towing or off-roading. Use GM Auto-Trak II fluid.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Spark Plugs

Every 100,000 mi

GM iridium spark plugs are rated 100,000 miles on most LS and LT engines. The 5.3L V8 in Silverado 1500 commonly fouls plugs early under heavy idling.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Dex-Cool Engine Coolant

Every 50,000 mi

GM Dex-Cool (orange): first change at 150,000 miles or 5 years, then every 50,000 miles. Mixing with green coolant creates a sludge that destroys the cooling system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Rear Differential Fluid

Every 50,000 mi

Silverado and Tahoe: replace rear axle fluid every 50,000 miles, or 25,000 miles if towing. Limited-slip differentials require GM friction-modifier additive.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$150–$195

Shop

~$105–$135

DIY

~$20–$50

Drain plug + fill plug — straightforward DIY. AWD vehicles have two; budget for both.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 22,500 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 22,500 miles. Silverado and Tahoe owners in dusty climates should replace earlier.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

42 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

9

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax reflects Chevrolet's published service intervals and the Oil Life System system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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