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2019 Chevrolet Trax Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2019 Chevrolet Trax carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering lower ball joint and air bags. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Turbocharger underboost and failure.” 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.

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

Campaign #19V312000 · Apr 18, 2019

Issue: 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.

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 June 14, 2019. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is A182202370.

AIR BAGS

Campaign #18V774000 · Jan 11, 2018

Issue: General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

Risk: If the air bags do not deploy in the event of a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the SDM module to the correct mode, free of charge. The recall began November 6, 2018. Owners may contact Buick customer service at 1-800-521-7300 and Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is 18365.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2019 Chevrolet Trax.

Reported to NHTSA

Turbocharger underboost and failure

ENGINE

17 NHTSA complaints · 2023-05 → 2026-02

“At roughly 90,000 miles, the turboboost charger went out in this vehicle and needed to be replaced. After speaking with my mechanic and other Chevy owners, it is a common issue in these vehicles, with many needing to be replaced well before the 90,000 mile mark that I hit”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11719015
“The turbocharger cracked at only 50,000 miles. My mechanic stated it is a common issue with this engine size”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11701583
“The turbocharger in this vehicle cracked at around 50,000 miles and my mechanic predicts it will happen again after another 50,000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11679383

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front suspension control arm failure and recall delay

SUSPENSION

17 NHTSA complaints · 2019-05 → 2022-12

“I LEASED A 2019 CHEVY TRAX IN JAN ON THIS YEAR, HAD ABOUT 8,000 MILES ON IT LAST MONTH WHEN THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11282266
“Ball joint on front drivers side apparently broke...vehicle at a dealership now to determine if the weld is bad or what the issue is”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11496413
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 CHEVROLET TRAX. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11243698

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Instrument cluster and infotainment screen blackout

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

16 NHTSA complaints · 2019-04 → 2025-08

“The instrument cluster failed at approximately 21,100 miles in September of 2022. Every indicator lights up but doesn't function”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11499428
“The screen that tells you all information on vehicle like; speed, miles on vehicle, tire pressure, oil, etc. is 100% broken. It’s a black screen”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11683389
“My car does not having a working DIC screen. No odometer, tire pressure, oil life left, no digital speedometer only manual”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11603478

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire tread separation and premature wear

WHEELS

6 NHTSA complaints · 2020-08 → 2023-05

“The contact rented a 2019 Chevrolet Trax equipped with Uniroyal Tires, Tire Line: Tiger Paw, Tire Size: 205/70/R16, DOT Number: (N/A). The contact stated that while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle started shuddering”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11520324
“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT ANY NOTICE THE TIRE BLEW OUT. AFTER INSPECTION OF THE TIRE I NOTICED THE INNER WALL OF THE TIRE HAD EXPLODED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11349087
“2weeks after purchasing this car with aprox. 350 miles on the car the tires were bald . The dealer replaced the tires and said they saw no reason for this to have happened”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11450477

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Coolant loss and water pump failure

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

6 NHTSA complaints · 2023-07 → 2026-07

“I have 36400 miles on my vehicle. It has been to dealer for service as per maintenance manual On Monday the water pump blew”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11749773
“The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the hood of the vehicle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11533611
“Numerous problems with engine overheating light coming on, leaking coolant, going up hill, car hesitate, car shakes at times”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11531703

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering lock-up, pulling, and rack-and-pinion failure

STEERING

13 NHTSA complaints · 2019-01 → 2026-03

“Steering wheel frozen in position on morning cold start below 20 degrees Fahrenheit even when car is put in drive. I must warm the cabin for 15 minutes to thaw the steering column or manually pull down on wheel to loosen the column”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11721921
“BOUGHT CAR 4 DAYS AGO. STEERING PULLED TO LEFT. WAS ASSURED IT JUST NEEDED ALIGNMENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11171048
“BOUGHT CAR ON 6-26-2019 . WHILE DRIVING IN CITY GOING SLOW SEEMED FINE. GOT ON FREEWAY CAR PULLING OFF RIGHT SIDE OF ROAD , HAVE TO HOLD CONSISTENT HOLD TO THE LEFT ON STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11255690

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Service brake failure and extended stopping distance

SERVICE BRAKES

11 NHTSA complaints · 2018-11 → 2024-05

“The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle did not immediately stop, and the braking distance was extended”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11586266
“The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle unexpectedly came to a complete stop and lost motive power, causing the contact to suffer whiplash”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11451896
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2019 CHEVROLET TRAX. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11257377

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)

48 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 2019 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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