VehicleVerdict

2017 Chevrolet Trax problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2017 Chevrolet Trax sits mid-pack among Trax years: 181 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 139, with 3 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (45), electrical system (31), and other (22), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

181

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

13

Crash-involved

5

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2017 compare to other Trax years?

Trax NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 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, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Trax years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Chevrolet Trax problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine4525%
Electrical System3117%
Other2212%
Steering1910%
Suspension106%
Brakes95%
Transmission84%
Fuel System84%
Speed Control74%
Visibility & Wipers63%
Airbags53%
Body & Structure42%
Tires & Wheels32%
Lighting21%
Seats11%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2017 Chevrolet Trax have recalls?

3 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.

19V312000SuspensionApril 18, 2019 · 112,958 units

Defect

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.

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, he noticed smoke coming from under the hood. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over and the vehicle was towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was notified of an oil leak in the engine…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · March 19, 2022 · fire

“I bought this car from carvana in late July 2020not knowing that the car had an electrical problem. The check engine light came on in September 2020. I bought the car in and i was told a ground needed to be replaced. I got the car fixed and the check engine light ended up turning off. I ended up…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 6, 2020 · crash

“I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE ON NOVEMBER 22, 2017. I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON DECEMBER 14, 2017 WHERE I HIT A DOG AND MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DIDN'T BELIEVE THAT I HIT A DOG AND IT CAUSED THIS DAMAGE. I CONTACTED GM TO SEE IF THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE BUT THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · December 14, 2017 · crash · fire

“SERVICE STABILI TRAK WARNING AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WITH NO PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESET, HAVE TO TAKE IT IN FOR SERVICE. THE ROADS AND CONDITIONS WERE COMPLETELY FAIR. NO IMPROPER USE OF VEHICLE TO CAUSE THESE ERROR LIGHTS. VEHICLE ENGINE SOUNDS HORRIBLE AND HANDLES TERRIBLY”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · June 4, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CHEVROLET TRAX. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE LANDED ON ALL FOUR WHEELS. ALL THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER EXITED THE VEHICLE AND BECAME UNCONSCIOUS. IN ADDITION, THE WINDSHIELD WAS FRACTURED AND…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · October 11, 2019 · crash

2017 Chevrolet Trax — common questions

Is the 2017 Chevrolet Trax reliable?

It is close to typical for the Trax: 181 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2017 Trax problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (45 complaints), electrical system (31 complaints), other (22 complaints).

Does the 2017 Chevrolet Trax have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 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 2017 Chevrolet Trax?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2017 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.