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2016 Chevrolet Trax problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2016 Chevrolet Trax has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 5safety recalls
- 120owner complaints
- 9crash reports
- 2fire reports
- 4injuries reported
120 complaints, against an average of 87 for the other 10 Chevrolet Trax model years.
Every Chevrolet Trax model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
The components named most often in the 120 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2016 Chevrolet Trax owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 120 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 Chevrolet Trax?25 owners · 20.8%
- Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Trax stall, lose power or shut off while driving?12 owners · 10%
- Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Trax idle rough, misfire or hesitate?10 owners · 8.3%
- Why is the airbag light on in my 2016 Chevrolet Trax?7 owners · 5.8% · Recall 17V437000
- Does the 2016 Chevrolet Trax have rust or paint problems?6 owners · 5%
- Does the 2016 Chevrolet Trax have turbo problems?5 owners · 4.2%
- Why are the ABS and stability control lights on in my 2016 Chevrolet Trax?5 owners · 4.2%
- Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Trax overheat?4 owners · 3.3%
- Why does the seat belt not latch or retract properly in my 2016 Chevrolet Trax?4 owners · 3.3% · Recall 17V437000
Has the 2016 Chevrolet Trax been recalled?
5 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Suspension: Front: Control Arm: Lower Ball Joint 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 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.
Air Bags: Frontal 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 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.
Equipment: Electrical: Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. 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.
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Trax recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAChevrolet UK Takata Drivers Airbag
Risk: On affected vehicles the chemicals in the Takata airbags may deteriorate over time which may cause the inflator to rupture and lead to serious injury.
Fix: Exchange affected airbag modules as a precautionary measure.
EU Safety GateThe propellant in the inflator of the driver airbag may deteriorate over time.If the airbags deploy, it could result in fragments of the inflator injuring the vehicle's occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateDue to a software problem, the frontal airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may not deploy correctly, which may increase the risk of injury…Due to a software problem, the frontal airbags and seatbelt pretensioners may not deploy correctly, which may increase the risk of injury to occupants in the event of a crash.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
What do 2016 Chevrolet Trax owners report?
12 of the 120 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Was driving the car,when started losing power up a hill,started making a loud puttering noise..Check engine light and traction control along with tire light all came on,ran a diagnostic at auto store said it was the plugs,so bought plugs and changed them,still doing the same thing..went back for another diagnostic and still said plugs,also states I would not pass emissions,..bought this car at a dealership..what’s the point if I can’t even drive it.
Was driving the car,when started losing power up a hill,started making a loud puttering noise..Check engine light and traction control along with tire light all came on,ran a diagnostic at auto store said it was the plugs,so bought plugs and changed them,still doing the same thing..went back for another diagnostic and still said plugs,also states I would not pass emissions,..bought this car at a dealership..what’s the point if I can’t even drive it.
Was driving the car,when started losing power up a hill,started making a loud puttering noise..Check engine light and traction control along with tire light all came on,ran a diagnostic at auto store said it was the plugs,so bought plugs and changed them,still doing the same thing..went back for another diagnostic and still said plugs,also states I would not pass emissions,..bought this car at a dealership..what’s the point if I can’t even drive it.
There wasnt a passenger side seat belts Legal Violations by LBurg Auto Sales (2016 Chevy Trax KRS 189.125(2): State law strictly prohibits a dealership from selling any modern vehicle without working seat belts for all passengers. Federal Safety Standards (FMVSS 208/209): Mandates functional three-point seat belts. Selling a car with a missing passenger seat belt violates federal law and makes it legally "unroadworthy." Kentucky Consumer Protection Act (KRS 367.170): Outlaws deceptive trade practices. Concealing a missing mandatory safety assembly is a fraudulent omission of material…
The vehicle was brought to an authorized GM dealership for a scheduled appointment to address a check engine condition related to a purge valve and an open safety recall for the lower control arm. The VIN was provided and confirmed at the time the appointment was made; however, the recall was not completed during the visit. The dealership replaced the purge valve without documenting diagnostic testing to confirm the cause or verify the repair. The vehicle was returned with the same check engine light still present. Additional issues were communicated through technician video and text…
The vehicle lost communication to the transmission causing the check engine light to come on when the vehicle key was turned off the vehicle would not restart. There was no warning signs of this happening. The vehicle only had 70,000 miles on the odometer when this occured.
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 the rear passenger’s side of the vehicle. The failure persisted, and the vehicle was towed. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer for further assistance. The manufacturer was made aware of the…
This site is useless. There are so many complaints about the 2016 Chevrolet Trax on here, but yet nobody is doing anything about it! I believe it is a severe safety hazard for all vehicles on the highway when a vehicle loses power without warning , whether it is on the interstate, or a residential street! But I guess the manufacturer does not think it's a safety hazard, but apparently if your vehicle doesn't remind you to take your key out of the car when you turn it off, or to put your seatbelt on ,Now, that's what they consider to be a REAL SAFTEY HAZARD!!! Forget the bells and buzzers, if…
The air bag light randomly came on about two yeatago and never went off. The engine(turbo) has been having problems for two years now. I’ve been to the dealership several times over the year. I was almost hit by another vehicle because of slow take off
I noticed there are 5 recalls on the yr make and model of my suv and I need it fixed plz
THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE PAINT ON THE LIFT GATE FLAKE OFF.
FRONT END POPS WHEN I MAKE SHARP TURNS, ENGINE HAS A DISTINCTIVE MISS AND BACK BRAKES DO NOT HOLD
2016 Chevrolet Trax: questions owners ask
Is the 2016 Chevrolet Trax reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 120 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Chevrolet Trax; the most common categories were engine (46, 38.3%), electrical system (24, 20%), air bags (19, 15.8%). There are 5 safety recalls. 9 complaints mention a crash, 2 mention a fire, 4 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
Across 120 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (38.3% of complaints), electrical system (20% of complaints), air bags (15.8% of complaints), steering (11.7% of complaints), power train (10.8% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Trax have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax; the most recent (campaign 19V652000, 2019-09-12) concerns Suspension: Front: Control Arm: Lower Ball Joint. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
25 of the 120 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax (20.8%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "Was driving the car,when started losing power up a hill,started making a loud puttering noise..Check engine light and traction control along with tire light all came on,ran a diagnostic at auto store said it was the plugs,so bought plugs and changed…" (NHTSA complaint 11767098, September 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Trax stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
12 of the 120 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax (10%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "11/12/2023 Loss of power when driving up a hill.- felt some backwards drift. 11/13-14/2023 Shuttering vibration and engine revving during acceleration but no forward movement. 11/15/2023 Total power loss when attempting to merge with traffic." (NHTSA complaint 11565533, January 2024). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Trax idle rough, misfire or hesitate?
10 of the 120 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax (8.3%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11233893, July 2019). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the airbag light on in my 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
7 of the 120 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax (5.8%) describe airbag warning lights or airbag faults. 2 related recalls exist: campaign 17V437000 (air bags: frontal). The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. One owner wrote: "The air bag light randomly came on about two yeatago and never went off. The engine(turbo) has been having problems for two years now. I’ve been to the dealership several times over the year. I was almost hit by another vehicle because of slow take off" (NHTSA complaint 11645847, March 2025). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Trax have rust or paint problems?
6 of the 120 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax (5%) describe rust, corrosion or peeling paint. One owner wrote: "While driving on the highway at 80mph engine light came on and the car began to lose speed and would not accelerate. I had the code checked and the code P0299 OBD-II Trouble code: Turbo Supercharger Underboost Condition. My vehicle has just 51K miles." (NHTSA complaint 11507706, February 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Does the 2016 Chevrolet Trax have turbo problems?
5 of the 120 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax (4.2%) describe turbocharger failure or turbo noise. One owner wrote: "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." (NHTSA complaint 11522105, May 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why are the ABS and stability control lights on in my 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
5 of the 120 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax (4.2%) describe ABS, traction or stability control warnings or faults. One owner wrote: "Was driving the car,when started losing power up a hill,started making a loud puttering noise..Check engine light and traction control along with tire light all came on,ran a diagnostic at auto store said it was the plugs,so bought plugs and changed…" (NHTSA complaint 11767098, September 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2016 Chevrolet Trax overheat?
4 of the 120 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax (3.3%) describe the engine overheating or coolant loss. One owner wrote: "Vehicle overheated not setting off any sensors, emergency lights or notifications, only notification was when the vehicle started smoking from the hood while driving down the highway." (NHTSA complaint 11405823, March 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does the seat belt not latch or retract properly in my 2016 Chevrolet Trax?
4 of the 120 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2016 Chevrolet Trax (3.3%) describe seat belts not latching, retracting or locking. 3 related recalls exist: campaign 17V437000 (air bags: frontal). The fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will reflash the SDM software. One owner wrote: "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?" (NHTSA complaint 11387384, January 2021). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own Trax
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2016 only.