Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2019 Chevrolet TraxRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 136 owner complaints for the 2019 Chevrolet Trax. Most complaints involve engine (37) and electrical system (25). The EPA rates it 26–28 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
26–28mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Apr 2019
Owner complaints
136
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$2,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Suspension: lower ball joint

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported Apr 18, 2019NHTSA 19V312000

Air bags

Free remedy

General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019 Buick Encore, Chevrolet Spark, Traverse, and Trax vehicles. The Sensing Diagnostic Module (SDM) on these vehicle may not have been turned off of "manufacturing mode," preventing the air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.

Air bagsReported Nov 1, 2018NHTSA 18V774000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

136 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2018 – Oct 2026
  1. Engine37
  2. Electrical system25
  3. Suspension19
  4. Steering16
  5. Service brakes13
  6. Power train11
  7. Fuel/propulsion system9
  8. Vehicle speed control8
  9. Wheels8

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
9
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
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

Engine

37 reports1 crash1 fire
“My car started have turbo problems 2024. While driving, something disconnected, I heard and felt something fall off under my car and it had no power. I was about 5miles from home. It was the turbocharge that broke and fell off while I was driving! Nothing but problems. -engine and overheating, coolant leaks, oil leaks, air-conditioned wasn't working properly! I spent over $8000 on repairs for a car that's 7 years old! I dont have that kind of money! What happened to Chevrolet??? They lost a long time customer!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 18, 2026Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11771894

Electrical system

25 reports1 crash
“The turbocharger gave code P0299 then more extensive look when you try to increase speed the turbo will not boost to allow you to go. 40-45 miles is the highest you can go . Dealership said there we complaints and recalls. The recalls are for 2017 and 2018 chevy trax. 2019 having the same issue..”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2026Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11719108

Suspension

19 reports2 crashes
“Ball joint on front drivers side apparently broke...vehicle at a dealership now to determine if the weld is bad or what the issue is. I was simply turning into the driveway when the car came to a sudden stop due to wheel rotating 80*. Tow truck driver stated he had seen this happen with this exact yr and model of Trax. He mentioned a man had his vehicle 1 week and this very same issue had occurred. I did find recalls concerning this make and model however my vehicle did not apply...i would very much like this issue to be investigated to be sure the recall does not need to be amended for additional vehicles. This incident could have been catastrophic if it would have occurred just a few minutes before at regular speed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 7, 2022Wheels, SuspensionODI 11496413
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
263128$2,300316
Trax AWD
Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
242926$2,450344
  • Trax
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    26 city · 31 hwy · $2,300/yr
    28
    mpg comb.
  • Trax AWD
    Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 1.4 L, Turbo
    24 city · 29 hwy · $2,450/yr
    26
    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 AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Overall
5 / 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%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 13023Vehicle 13022
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

2019 Trax questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Chevrolet Trax have?

2 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 2019 Chevrolet Trax problems?

Owners filed 136 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (37), electrical system (25), suspension (19). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Chevrolet Trax get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Chevrolet Trax at 26–28 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Chevrolet Trax?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Chevrolet Trax 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026