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Chevrolet · NHTSA safety record

2017 Chevrolet Trax

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 113 safety complaints about the 2017 Chevrolet Trax with the US government. Of those, 10 describe a crash, 3 mention a fire, 5 people were injured and no death is recorded. 3 recall campaigns are open against it, covering the suspension and the air bags.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 43 complaints, 38% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 26,800 miles, the median across the 52 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers May 2017 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

113 complaints on file

113

Complaints

10

Describe a crash

3

Mention fire

5

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 43 · 38%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 25 · 22%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 22 · 19%
STEERING 19 · 17%
POWER TRAIN 10 · 9%
SUSPENSION 10 · 9%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9 · 8%
SERVICE BRAKES 9 · 8%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 7 · 6%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) 6 · 5%
AIR BAGS 5 · 4%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 5 · 4%
0 19 38

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 113.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2019 at 22.

24 18 12 6
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2017 Chevrolet TRAX, and it is a separate question from what owners report going wrong later.

Test SUV AWD SUV FWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover 17.9% 19.8%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard

A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed. A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.

Recall campaigns

3 on file

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

19V652000 · September 12, 2019

The 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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 93,722 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

19V312000 · April 18, 2019

The 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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 112,958 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

16V651000 · September 8, 2016

The 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.
The risk
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.
The 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.

General Motors LLC · up to 3,640,162 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 600 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 CHEVROLET TRAX. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN THE RED LIGHT. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT END OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE OTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND HEAD THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT WHERE IT WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: 8-302-0913391. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 600. UPDATED 08/08/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA complaint 10994222. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION

1 injured · crash · towed · 53,000 miles

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 GLASS WAS SHATTERED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WAS FOUND WALKING AROUND THE FOLLOWING DAY BY THE SHERIFF AND RECEIVED MEDICAL ATTENTION ON THE SCENE. THE DRIVER DID NOT HAVE ANY RECOLLECTION OF THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED. THE DRIVER WENT TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE FURTHER MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED FOR INJURIES AND SCRATCHES TO THE ARMS AND LEGS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED

NHTSA complaint 11279792, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed · 90,000 miles

The contact owned a 2017 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving at approximately 25 MPH; she T-boned with another vehicle (Ford F-150) however, the air bags did not deploy. No warning light had illuminated. During the impact, the contact's face hit the dashboard and she sustained a brain bleed, missing teeth, and a concussion that required medical attention. No police department arrived at the scene due to a high volume of crashed therefore no police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow lot by the insurance provider. The vehicle was diagnosed that the crash did not meet the criteria for deployment. The vehicle was deemed totaled. The manufacturer was made aware of the

NHTSA complaint 11609761, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE

1 injured · crash

2017 CHEVROLET TRAX. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO FAILED WELDED JOINTS SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A ROLL OVER CRASH DUE TO THE FAILED PARTS. THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL REPAIR NOTICE FOR THE FAILED PARTS. THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS *JS - (RECALL RELATED INCIDENT) TS

NHTSA complaint 11326850. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
This car has experienced the same dangerous symptoms as reported in many cases on this site. Similar examples are NHTSA ID# 11756485, 11766116, 11756485 (nearly identical). What can I do. This 2017 vehicle was purchased in 2021 from a dealer for only $15K and had less than 50K miles. It has already cost us over $4k. What do you recommend?

NHTSA complaint 11766719. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I am filing this formal complaint regarding a severe, recurring, and catastrophic electrical and vehicle control system failure in my 2017 Chevrolet Trax. On multiple occasions while driving at highway speeds (70+ mph), the vehicle experienced simultaneous loss of critical safety and control systems—including power steering, traction control, and instrumentation displays—plunging the vehicle into a severe "limp mode." This sudden and unpredictable loss of control at high speeds presents an extreme safety hazard to myself, my passengers, and other drivers. CHRONOLOGY OF EVENTS & DEFECT PATTERN 1. Initial Intermittent Failures (Past 12 Months): The traction control light began activating

NHTSA complaint 11766116, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Turbocharger on my 2017 Chevy Trax failed at approximately 80,000 miles. Took it in for repair and they reported that upon examination a 299 code appeared and the turbocharger needed to be replaced. Check engines light also came on.

NHTSA complaint 11751924. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
I work from home, so I drive my car maybe once a week and only on flat highways. One day, I heard a loud booming crack and then suddenly the vehicle was making a grinding noise and pulling strangely. I drove directly to a mechanic and had them looked at the vehicle since it was highly concerning to me. They said that the rear differential had split suddenly and that it was actually extremely dangerous that I had been driving still. They said if it had fully cracked it might have ended in my death! Again, this car is very underworked and not driving over so crazy terrain or anything to cause damage. The mechanic also mentioned that they've seen this problem in this vehicle make a lot,

NHTSA complaint 11749154, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Vehicle engine light came on XXX and was driven immediately to Auto Zone to check the code. The code showed P0299. The vehicle was then taken 2 miles home and parked. It was towed to Lake Chevrolet in [XXX] on XXX to prevent any engine damage from occurring due to the failed turbo. Upon Lake's inspection they claim the manifold and valve cover gasket must be replaced. We agreed to that, and asked about an oil change as everything we read said that was mandatory with work like this. Was told the technician didn't suggest it but they would do it at our request for an additional charge. After they confirmed the turbo was bad and well as the items above we agreed to the repairs and they said

NHTSA complaint 11743806, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

towed · 80,641 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that after the vehicle sat for a while on several occasions and was then driven, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. While driving on those occasions, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and DTC: P0171 was retrieved. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred approximately six months later. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer where DTC: P0300, US669T, 41121, and P0301 were retrieved. The ignition coil and spark plugs were replaced, and the vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that four months later, after the vehicle sat for a

NHTSA complaint 11733024, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Chevrolet Trax

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 87 1 —
2024 175 1 —
2020 96 0 —
2019 134 2 —
2018 101 2 —
2016 120 5 —
2015 96 7 1

Other 2017 Chevrolet models

Silverado 1500 712 Malibu 702 Volt 698 Traverse 361 Bolt EV 348 Equinox 273 Corvette 256 Colorado 216

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Chevrolet on this site — 304 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst