Research · Small Station Wagons

2026 Chevrolet TraxRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 19 owner complaints for the 2026 Chevrolet Trax. Most complaints involve air bags (4) and vehicle speed control (3). The EPA rates it 29–30 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
29–30mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
19
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,150est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2026 Chevrolet Trax as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

19 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2025 – Oct 2026
  1. Air bags4
  2. Vehicle speed control3
  3. Service brakes3
  4. Fuel/propulsion system3
  5. Engine2
  6. Service brakes, hydraulic2
  7. Seat belts2
  8. Steering2
  9. Forward collision avoidance1

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
3
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
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

Air bags

4 reports2 crashes
“On September 5, 2026, the airbags in my 2026 Chevrolet Trax unexpectedly deployed while I was driving. I did not hit another vehicle or object, and I was not aware of any collision that would have caused the airbags to deploy. This was extremely concerning because my vehicle was relatively new, and I did not understand why the airbag system activated. I took my vehicle to a Chevrolet dealership to have the situation evaluated. The dealership informed me that the incident was not caused by a malfunction or recall, but I have not received a clear explanation of what specifically triggered the airbags. I was also told that I may have been driving too fast, but no clear technical explanation was provided to support that conclusion. I contacted General Motors Customer Assistance to request an explanation and assistance with the repairs. GM informed me that it would not cover the repairs, but I still do not understand what caused the airbags to deploy. The dealership has estimated the repair cost at approximately $8,300. I am concerned that an airbag system malfunction or another safety-related issue may have caused the airbags to deploy without a collision. I am…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026Air bagsODI 11774038

Vehicle speed control

3 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2026 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated. The brake pedal was depressed with excessive force; however, the vehicle failed to respond and stop as needed. There were fumes entering the cabin of the vehicle during the failure. The vehicle was scheduled to be towed to a dealer to be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 29, 2026Service brakes, hydraulic, Vehicle speed controlODI 11767835

Service brakes

3 reports
“On two separate occasions while driving with adaptive cruise control engaged the vehicle braked heavily. In one instance the vehicle rapidly braked from 70 to 40 mph before the accelerator could be depressed to resume driver control. Latest occurrence was on 9/8/2026.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2026Vehicle speed control, Service brakes, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11766789
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 Station Wagons
Engines
1.2L 3-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic 6-spd
Drive
Front-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 FFV
Auto 6-spd, 3 cyl, 1.2 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283230$2,150296
Trax
Auto 6-spd, 3 cyl, 1.2 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
283129$2,200306
  • Trax FFV
    Auto 6-spd, 3 cyl, 1.2 L, Turbo
    28 city · 32 hwy · $2,150/yr
    30
    mpg comb.
  • Trax
    Auto 6-spd, 3 cyl, 1.2 L, Turbo
    28 city · 31 hwy · $2,200/yr
    29
    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

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
CHEVROLET TRAX SUV N/A FWD
Frontal crash
4 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 21870
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

2026 Trax questions

How many recalls does the 2026 Chevrolet Trax have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 6, 2026.

What are the most common 2026 Chevrolet Trax problems?

Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (4), vehicle speed control (3), service brakes (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2026 Chevrolet Trax get?

The EPA rates the 2026 Chevrolet Trax at 29–30 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

How safe is the 2026 Chevrolet Trax?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Chevrolet Trax 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026