Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2015 Chevrolet TraxRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 96 owner complaints for the 2015 Chevrolet Trax. Most complaints involve electrical system (23) and engine (22). The EPA rates it 27–29 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
27–29mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Sep 2019
Owner complaints
96
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: lower ball joint

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Sep 12, 2019NHTSA 19V652000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Jul 10, 2017NHTSA 17V437000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Sep 8, 2016NHTSA 16V651000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

96 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2015 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system23
  2. Engine22
  3. Power train18
  4. Steering14
  5. Air bags12
  6. Service brakes8
  7. Suspension7
  8. Structure5
  9. Vehicle speed control5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Trax model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201596
2016120
2017114
2018102
2019136
202098
202125
20229
2024181
2025103
202619
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

23 reports
“The contact owns a 2015 Chevrolet Trax. The vehicle was recently purchased. The contact stated that on three separate occasions, the vehicle lost steering functionality, with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had not started since the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer; however, the dealer was unable to duplicate the failure.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2026Steering, Electrical systemODI 11763738

Engine

22 reports1 crash2 fires
“While driving in the highway vehicle lost power and gray smoke came out off the exhaust, it was hard to accelerate and TCS warning light and check engine light popped up. TCS warning light extinguished but check engine light still on. Cars behind me could have hit me from behind, because it was a sudden loss of speed, it made other drivers switch lanes creating the risk of crashing others or myself. I have taken the car to a mechanics and some say it’s the turbo and others say they don’t know what it can be and can’t really help me.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 29, 2025Unknown or other, EngineODI 11702023

Power train

18 reports
“Left red light on major hwy. Car stuck in first gear. Took MI turn around and no power steering. Limped home in first gear. Internet says there was a recall for 2014-15 Trax for same problems; Dealer says there's not, and told me to drive it there in 1st gear to check it out !”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2026Steering, Power trainODI 11725182
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
1.4L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Trax
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
263429$2,150310
Trax AWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
243127$2,300333
  • Trax
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    26 city · 34 hwy · $2,150/yr
    29
    mpg comb.
  • Trax AWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    24 city · 31 hwy · $2,300/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Chevrolet Trax SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Overall
5 / 5
Chevrolet Trax SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 9516Vehicle 9515
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2015 Trax questions

How many recalls does the 2015 Chevrolet Trax have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2015 Chevrolet Trax problems?

Owners filed 96 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (23), engine (22), power train (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2015 Chevrolet Trax get?

The EPA rates the 2015 Chevrolet Trax at 27–29 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2015 Chevrolet Trax?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2015 Chevrolet Trax 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026