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2021 Chevrolet Trax Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2021 Chevrolet Trax has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Turbocharger failure and engine power loss.” 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 2021 Chevrolet Trax.

Reported to NHTSA

Turbocharger failure and engine power loss

ENGINE, POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2024-12-07 → 2026-02-10

“1/23/25 This is the 3rd time the turbocharger has malfunction within 2 1/2 months and is once again at the dealership service department. Horrible smoke was filling the inside of the car while I was driving and smelled as though something was badly burning”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11638576
“On 11/25/24 while my daughter was driving my 2021 Trax all of a sudden the engine light came on and my car lost power while lots of smoke began coming out of the exhaust pipe the car started to shake she thankfully made it to the Dealership service department”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11629369
“The Turbo Charger failed suddenly without a prior display of a warning light and was replaced by an independent service center in June 2025. I received a letter from GM in November 2025 stating there was a known "condition" that may cause the Turbo Charger to need replacing”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11717127

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Instrument panel display blackout

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2025-05-20 → 2025-07-21

“The instrument panel where the digital speed, tire pressure, mileage etc.. is displayed goes black. Sometimes it comes back on and sometimes it stays off for hours”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11662088
“At roughly 60,000 miles the VCU (vehicle cockpit unit) began glitching. It would flicker, go black and then come back after a few seconds. Now at 92,xxx miles (don't know how many miles because it's black right now) its off more than its on”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11675210

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment in crashes

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2021-09-05 → 2026-07-10

“The contact stated that while stopped at a stop light, another vehicle rear-ended the vehicle. The contact stated that both the driver and passenger seat belts failed to restrain both occupants. The air bags also failed to deploy upon impact”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11580674
“While the driver was attempting to avoid striking a deer, the vehicle crashed into a barbed wire fence. The air bags did not deploy. In addition, the contact stated that the engine detached from the vehicle after the crash”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11749612
“My wife was driving and we were hit hard enough to shove the vehicle into the next lane and crumple the undercarriage of the vehicle. Making it undrivable anymore. And any information I can find says side impact air bags will deploy if the vehicle is hit anywhere on the side”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11482758

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine seizure and transmission communication fault

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ENGINE

2 NHTSA complaints · 2026-01-26 → 2026-03-19

“The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, while the roads were clear, dry, and the weather was good, the engine seized, and the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated to 55 MPH. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, and the brake pedal was depressed; however…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11713436
“The vehicle has 2 permanent codes. One is a communication blackout, the other code means the hardware is melting. GM is doing a formal inspection in April. The Ucode meant that the engine stopped talking to the transmission or visa versa”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11725693

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal failure and master cylinder replacement

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2021-09-05 → 2023-07-24

“6,253 miles. Again applying brakes hard the vehicle pulled hard right. Days later the brakes were spongy and then that lead up to the brakes going to the floor board. I went to the service department where they did a test drive and found that…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11431780
“The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed and became stuck. The contact had to manually retract the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with brake positioner failure”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11534110

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine compartment fire and smoke

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 NHTSA complaint · 2023-01-06 → 2023-01-06

“The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 mph, the AC unit was distributing hot air. The contact detected white smoke emerging from the engine compartment and the vehicle caught fire. The contact was able to pull over and exit the vehicle without injury”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11500450

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Driver-side roof rack trim detachment while driving

STRUCTURE

1 NHTSA complaint · 2026-04-08 → 2026-04-08

“The contact stated that while driving approximately 50-55 MPH, the driver's side roof rack exterior trim detached and flew off the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was inspected. The manufacturer was notified of the failure”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11729901

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)

11 crashes 1990–2024

How the 11 occupant deaths break down

10

driver deaths

1

passenger deaths

11

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

1

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 2021 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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