NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
A welded joint in one or both front lower control arms may be defective, causing the joint to break and the control arm to partially separate from the vehicle.
This page covers 7 recalls, 94 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax.
27–29 mpg combined
8.1–8.7 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Powertrain and engine complaints dominate what 2015 Chevrolet Trax owners report. On the powertrain side, owners frequently describe the transmission getting stuck in first gear, loss of power steering while driving, and the vehicle struggling to accelerate, sometimes accompanied by the traction control warning light and check engine light coming on together. Engine complaints center on power loss at highway speeds, smoke from the exhaust, and persistent oil leaks that owners say are difficult to trace and expensive to address. Airbag complaints are the third most-reported category, though the specific symptoms described there are less consistent across reports. A smaller number of owners also mention steering and suspension concerns, including pulling, clunking during turns, and braking issues. Paint peeling, bubbling without visible rust, appears in a handful of reports as well, though that pattern is less prominent than the drivetrain concerns.
94
Total Complaints
13
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
6
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Chevrolet Trax has 7 recalls, the most serious involving front lower control arm welds that can break and cause a front wheel to kick outward, making the vehicle difficult to steer and raising the risk of a crash.
On the steering side, the steering column housing on certain vehicles can wear against the power steering circuit board until it fails, causing a sudden loss of power steering assist. Two related recalls cover the front airbags and seatbelt pretensioners, which may not deploy in a crash, leaving the driver and front passenger without full restraint protection. Prior repair attempts did not fully resolve this issue, which is why it appears across more than one filing.
The remaining recalls are lower in severity. The tire placard on some vehicles is missing rim size information, which could lead an owner to install incorrect wheels. Vehicles equipped with a Bring Your Own Media radio have two software issues: the radio may not chime when the key is left in the ignition after a delay, and it may not chime when the seatbelt goes unfastened, removing the audible reminders that prompt the driver to buckle up or take the key.
At a glance
What can fail
A welded joint in one or both front lower control arms may be defective, causing the joint to break and the control arm to partially separate from the vehicle.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect both front lower control arms and replace them if needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air bag control software may not have received a complete update from a previous recall. Under certain driving conditions, this software may run a diagnostic test that disables frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control software. If your vehicle previously deployed air bags, the control module will be replaced instead. Repairs are free.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Under certain driving conditions, the air bag control module's software may run a self-test that disables the front air bags and seat belt pretensioners, preventing them from deploying in a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the air bag control module software. If your air bags have previously deployed, the module will be replaced. Repairs are free of charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The radio may not produce an audible warning chime when the driver hasn't fastened their seatbelt or has left the key in the ignition.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radio software at no cost to restore the warning chime function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The radio may not sound a warning chime if the driver leaves the key in the ignition, turns off the engine, waits 10 minutes or more, and then opens the door.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the radio software at no cost to restore the warning chime function.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tire placard label on your vehicle doesn't show the rim size for your front or rear wheels, which violates federal safety standards.
What the fix does
GM will send you a corrected tire placard label at no charge to replace the incorrect one on your vehicle.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The steering column assembly housing may rub against the power steering circuit board, wearing it down and potentially causing electrical failure.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the steering column assembly if needed at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.