VehicleVerdict

2016 Chevrolet Trax problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2016 Chevrolet Trax sits mid-pack among Trax years: 183 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 139, with 5 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (45), electrical system (28), and airbags (18), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

183

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

2

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Trax years?

Trax NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted215 complaints2013: 0 complaints2014: 0 complaints2015: 145 complaints2016: 183 complaints2017: 181 complaints2018: 152 complaints2019: 189 complaints2020: 139 complaints2021: 37 complaints2022: 13 complaints2024: 215 complaints2025: 121 complaints2026: 16 complaints
Trax NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Trax years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Chevrolet Trax problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4525%
Electrical System2815%
Airbags1810%
Other169%
Steering148%
Transmission137%
Brakes95%
Body & Structure74%
Suspension74%
Fuel System74%
Speed Control42%
Seat Belts42%
Lighting42%
Visibility & Wipers32%
Tires & Wheels21%
Seats21%

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Trax have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V652000SuspensionSeptember 12, 2019 · 93,722 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

17V437000Seat BeltsJuly 10, 2017 · 40,683 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

16V651000Seat BeltsSeptember 8, 2016 · 3,640,162 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

16V422000Electrical SystemJune 10, 2016 · 18,780 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

Without audible indicators, the driver may not fasten their seatbelt, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

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.

16V257000Electrical SystemApril 28, 2016 · 317,572 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

Without audible indicators, the driver may leave the key in the ignition, increasing the risk of theft.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

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? I HAVE NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE NOT HAVE A TEMPATURE GUAGE!! ALSO MY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 30, 2020

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. IT'S BACK IN AT DEALERSHIP. THEY RECENTLY ORDERED THE UNDERHOOD FUSE BOX TO BE INSTALLED AT $980.00…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 1, 2019

I HAD A 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX AND I HAD A ACCIDENT AND IT WAS TO THE FRONT OF MY TRAX AND THE INSURANCE TOTALED IT BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOYED. 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX THE VIN # [XXX] I WAS JUST SEEING IF THEY WERE A DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS IN THE CAR . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 9, 2020 · crash

MY 2016 TRAX SLID INTO REAR OF A CAR WHO SUDDENLY BRAKED WHILE WE BOTH TRAVELLED ON HIGHWAY. I BROKE TOO. PROBABLY HIT OTHER CAR WHILE I WAS GOING 25 MPH. MODERATE FRONT END DAMAGE. ENGINE STOPPED. BUT CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. TOTAL LOSS OF CAR

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 22, 2020 · crash · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 CHEVROLET TRAX. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE CONTACT TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED THE VEHICLE, IT OPERATED NORMALLY UNTIL THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT THE ISSUE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 3, 2017

2016 Chevrolet Trax — common questions

Is the 2016 Chevrolet Trax reliable?

It is close to typical for the Trax: 183 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2016 Trax problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (45 complaints), electrical system (28 complaints), airbags (18 complaints).

Does the 2016 Chevrolet Trax have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Chevrolet Trax. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Chevrolet Trax years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Trax years to avoid are 2024, 2013. The cleanest record among Trax years belongs to 2014.

How safe is the 2016 Chevrolet Trax?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Chevrolet Trax earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.