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2020 Chevrolet Trax Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2020 Chevrolet Trax has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Instrument cluster and dashboard display blackouts.” 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.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2020 Chevrolet Trax.

Reported to NHTSA

Instrument cluster and dashboard display blackouts

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

13 NHTSA complaints · 2020-10 → 2026-05

“The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the instrument cluster display screen intermittently malfunctioned, displaying either a black or snowy screen. During the failure, the driver was unable the view the speedometer and the”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11661844
“The driver information center in the cluster intermittently goes completely black or glitches while driving. It will go into all white dots, completely black out, or be garbled. You lose the ability to monitor your speed digitally and it causes issues with safety because it will”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11617799
“The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that the instrument panel would suddenly blackout for approximately 15 - 25 minutes before returning to normal operation. The failure occurred intermittently while driving or the vehicle was idling”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11611512

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brakes locking up with StabiliTrak and ABS warnings

SERVICE BRAKES

11 NHTSA complaints · 2022-08 → 2026-08

“My 2020 Chevrolet Trax has experienced recurring brake problems for approximately two years. The issue involves the brake pedal becoming unusually resistant and the vehicle failing to brake normally when I apply the pedal”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11756588
“I am not sure of what actual component(s) failed, but I do know that a brake line that had braided steel broke and spewed brake fluid failed- this line comes off the master cylinder to ABS module. Mechanic attempted replacement and there is still no pressure in the brake line”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11617166
“My husband and I were leaving a local grocery store, when we began backing up and the "hillside assist" light came on for a 5% or so incline. So after backing up, we pulled out of the parking spot and our brakes began locking up, this continued all the way home (about 3 miles)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11480687

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Coolant reservoir leaks and engine overheating

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

7 NHTSA complaints · 2024-07 → 2026-03

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11711401
“The coolant reservoir is missing hoses which are supposed to be connected. The head gasket is completely blown out, which is under warranty”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11679691
“My vehicle lost all its antifreeze. It was the day before filled to the proper level in the overflow container. The IDLE ENGINE ALERT CAME ON. When I opened the hood, no antifreeze coolant in my square overflow bottle”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11603687

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Tire sidewall cracking and blowouts

TIRES

6 NHTSA complaints · 2023-08 → 2026-07

“There are vertical splits from the sidewall seam to the tread line. Oil spurted out when I checked the tire pressure”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11748186
“The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Trax equipped with Continental Tires, Tire Line: ProContact, Tire Size: P205/70/R16, DOT Number: P50WWBVD4219. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH, the rear passenger’s side tire experienced a blowout”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11539901
“Tire cracks on all tires. 4 separate reports”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11748196

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Windshield wiper motor failure

VISIBILITY/WIPER

3 NHTSA complaints · 2023-12 → 2025-04

“On Oct 08, 2024 Milan Tire and Brake replace wiper motor part. Since then the wiper motor part only works for about 2 months”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11656002
“I was driving to the post office and it was raining heavily so i turn on my wiper blades however after a couple minutes of doing so I saw my MICHELIN wiper blade silicone pealing off I was about to stop the blades but the Michelin blade broke in half and got blew away by wind”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11599584
“This vehicle currently had 48,568 miles at time of repair. Windshield wipers were not working properly. Had the issue diagnosed at RD Banks Chevrolet in Champion, Oh. They determined it to be a windshield wiper motor”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11561057

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Turbocharger failure and limp-mode power loss

ENGINE

9 NHTSA complaints · 2021-03 → 2026-07

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11705042
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11677389
“The Turbo Charger was cracked and hanging. Not spinning. Would not accelerate over 40 mph. They replaced it. Engine light came on today 1-10-2022 while acceleration uphill”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11446944

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission slipping, jerking, and hesitation

POWER TRAIN

10 NHTSA complaints · 2020-01 → 2026-02

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11719156
“The contact owns a 2020 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at a stop sign, the Hill Assist function failed to operate as intended. The contact removed her foot off the brake pedal and the vehicle rolled backwards”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11623011
“The initial problem was a defective shifter. It took over a month for a Chevrolet service department to get the vehicle in and fix the problem. By the time I brought the vehicle in to fix the shifter, the transmission was hesitating to switch gears”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11579306

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in crash

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2020-07 → 2024-11

“My 2020 Chevy Trax did not deploy the air bags, at all, when hit cement wall head on. The impact to my chest area caused a wire from a chest surgery to snap, and is now dangling inside the middle of my chest, near my heart”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11625553
“I was hit on left side of passenger side. Air bags didnt came out on either side. Mechanics says air bags aren't working properly”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11460063
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 CHEVROLET TRAX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM FAILED TO DETECT A PASSENGER SEATED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11339737

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

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

Raw data + downloads for this 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

On 4WD models, 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)

46 crashes 1990–2024

How the 46 occupant deaths break down

39

driver deaths

7

passenger deaths

46

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2020 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

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

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

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.

5

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues 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 2020 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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