UsedScore

2018 Chevrolet Trax: Best bet

Owners filed 58 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Trax in its first five years on the road, about 67 for every 100,000 sold: 0.6× the rate of a typical Trax year. That's among the fewest of any Trax year.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the suspension (45% of complaints, median 17,000 miles).

Complaint index
0.6×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Trax year
Rank
3rd of 7
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
58
first five years; 67 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
2
campaigns
1st generation, 2015–2022 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2018 Chevrolet Trax LT

Photo: 2018 Chevrolet Trax LT · Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Suspension45% · 26 complaints · median 17,000 miles
  2. Electrical21% · 12 complaints · median 45,000 miles
  3. Engine14% · 8 complaints
  4. Brakes12% · 7 complaints
  5. Powertrain9% · 5 complaints
  6. Wheels and tires10% · 6 complaints · median 23,000 miles
  7. Air bags3% · 2 complaints
  8. Steering3% · 2 complaints
  9. Speed control3% · 2 complaints
  10. Driver assistance2% · 1 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Electrical

Owners of the 2018 Chevrolet Trax describe recurring electrical problems, including dash and infotainment screens going blank, warning lights coming on unexpectedly, and sudden loss of power steering or acceleration. Many say dealers struggled to diagnose or permanently fix these issues, leading to repeated visits and ongoing frustration.

Warning signs:
Owners report warning lights (ABS, traction control, power steering, check engine) illuminating, radio and dash screens going black, stalling, burning smells, and sudden loss of power steering or acceleration.
What shops did:
Some owners say dealers replaced radios, blower motors, or modules, while others report dealers could not duplicate or diagnose the issue and left it unrepaired.
Mileage:
most between 25,000 and 65,000 miles, among 8 complaints that give it

“the steering column and the main computer had inadvertently disconnected”

Engine

Owners describe turbocharger and cooling system problems on their 2018 Trax, sometimes progressing to stalling, loss of power, or full engine replacement. Many mention warning lights, coolant leaks, or burning smells before repairs, with some referencing a recall that did not cover their specific vehicle.

Warning signs:
Owners report check engine and stabilitrak lights, rough running, loss of acceleration, stalling, blue smoke, coolant or oil leaks, and burning smells.
What shops did:
Dealers replaced turbochargers, oil coolers, cooling systems, or entire engines; some owners were told parts were unavailable or the issue could not be found.
Mileage:
most between 30,000 and 75,000 miles, among 8 complaints that give it

“there was no oil in the engine, and the engine needed to be replaced”

“the hose that connects to the fan had cracked off because the plastic piece used by Chevy isn’t robust”

Suspension

Owners describe lower control arm welds cracking or failing, sometimes on both sides, causing noises, vibration, or handling problems. Many say dealers confirmed the issue but couldn't get recall parts for weeks or months, leaving them without a repaired vehicle.

Warning signs:
Owners report clunking or grinding noises, knocking while turning, a pop or vibration underfoot, steering pulling, and swaying or fishtailing over bumps.
What shops did:
Many owners were told replacement parts for the control arm recall repair were unavailable or on back order, leaving vehicles unrepaired for weeks or months; some received loaner cars, and a few had one side replaced while the other side later needed repair without warranty coverage.
Mileage:
most between 10,000 and 35,000 miles, among 13 complaints that give it

“the rear suspension swing bar has separated at the weld”

“I have had a clunk any time I hit the slightest bump or crack and it is especially bad when my wheels are turned”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (2)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 19V652000September 201993,722 vehicles

    Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

    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.

    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.

    Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 19V312000April 2019112,958 vehicles

    Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

    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.

    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.

    Fix: GM will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the left and right front lower-control arms, replacing them as necessary, free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Chevrolet sent NHTSA 898 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2018 Trax. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • 22-NA-244 · May 2024 · Warranty extensionThis service bulletin provides information about GM Accessories - Dealer-Installed, Repaired or Replaced During Warranty Coverage Period.
  • 00-06-01-026R · June 2025This service bulletin provides information on replacing the intake manifold when the engine is replaced after severe internal engine damage.
  • 23-NA-153 · May 2025The service bulletin advises the tech of a normal transmission shift condition and the delay in throttle response when the throttle plate is opened rapidly and advises the customer that it is normal…
  • 15-NA-010 · May 2025This service bulletin provides information to dealership personnel for new vehicles with less than 1,000 miles that may not pass California smog inspection or smog inspection in other states.
  • 25-NA-100 · April 2025This warranty administration bulletin provides policy information on vehicles outside of a California Emissions State who move to and register their vehicle in a California Emission State may be…
  • PI0281L · April 2025This preliminary informational (PI) bulletin provides information to dealership personnel that may be helpful when addressing underbody component corrosion with customers.
  • 25-NA-087 · April 2025This service bulletin provides information on the proper Reflective High Temperature Heat and/or Insulating Tape to use for certain repairs, such as Wiring Harness Repairs.
  • 13-08-116-001K · March 2025The intent of this service bulletin is to identify aftermarket ALDL or DLC interface devices as potential sources for causing multiple customer concerns that do not have other diagnostic methods to…

All 2018 Trax bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2018 Chevrolet Trax reliable?
Owners filed 58 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Chevrolet Trax in its first five years on the road, about 67 for every 100,000 sold: 0.6× the rate of a typical Trax year. That's among the fewest of any Trax year. Ratings compare Trax years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2018 Trax problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the suspension (45%), the electrical system (21%) and the engine (14%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2018 Chevrolet Trax been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2018 Chevrolet Trax, the most recent in September 2019 (suspension). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Chevrolet. The 2018 Chevrolet Trax on NHTSA.gov · How we rate