2017 Chevrolet Trax Powertrain (other) Problems

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, stating, "it's very common". I had to drop 3 grand to fix this. Given the danger and that it's a common problem I'm surprised this isn't already a recall.

NHTSA ID

11749154

Incident

Dec 15, 2025

To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally request reimbursement or goodwill assistance for the repair of the turbocharger on my Chevrolet Trax, which failed unexpectedly and caused my vehicle to stall in the middle of the freeway, creating a serious safety hazard. I had previously reported concerns related to the turbo, and after the failure occurred, I learned that General Motors issued a Special Coverage Adjustment for turbocharger malfunction on certain Chevrolet Trax vehicles. Unfortunately, I never received any notification or letter informing me of this coverage. Had I been made aware, I would have taken appropriate action prior to the failure. Because this vehicle was my only means of transportation, I had no choice but to immediately repair it at my own expense. I later contacted GM Customer Assistance to inquire about reimbursement and was informed that my request was denied solely due to the vehicle exceeding 120,000 miles, despite the fact that: This is a known defect The failure resulted in a dangerous loss of power while driving I was never notified of the special coverage I was also advised that the notification was sent by a government department, yet no department could be identified, and despite multiple requests, I have not received a call back from a manager. Given the seriousness of the safety risk, the lack of notice, and the documented nature of this defect, I am respectfully requesting that GM reconsider my case for reimbursement or goodwill assistance for the turbocharger repair. I have attached copies of my repair invoice, proof of payment, and vehicle documentation for your review. I would appreciate escalation of this matter to a Senior Advisor or District Manager for further consideration. Thank you for your time and attention. I look forward to your response. Sincerely, [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] 2017, Chevy Trax [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11711127

Incident

Nov 17, 2025

Where to begin. I bought the vehicle brand new with 29 miles on it in April of 2017, January of 2019 I started having issues. My check engine light kept coming on and it affected my gas mileage and speed. I had stopped at a chevy dealership in Forest Lake Minnesota and had them scan the vehicle to see what was going on and made an appointment to bring it back in for a full diagnostics. I get there and they asked me if I had another vehicle with me because it would take about a week of it being there. First off, I hadn't agreed to anything yet, I still did not even know what was wrong with it yet. They ended up doing what they said was a full diagnostic on the vehicle (which cost me almost $200) came back to me and started off by telling me that I bought a "warm weather" vehicle and it in fact was my turbo that was going out. They stated that what was happening was it would freeze and what needed to be done was some sort of heating element needed to be installed, and this was going to cost me $2500 plus labor. I was out of warranty but still had my drivetrain warranty ( at this time I had forgotten I had purchased the extended warranty) I was told it wouldn't cover it. I was irate and left, was contacted a few days later by my normal dealership to replace a valve (special service) had that done, found out that the real issue was an oil and air leak. Now to fast forward to 2021- I fixed the oil and air leak 3 more times before replacing the intake cover from plastic to aluminum. Engine is still leaking oil like crazy though. That is only one piece of my issues, I keep getting a code (since 2021) P0420 which reads that it's my catalysts- since I was out of warranty I needed to wait until I could afford to do this, plus we needed to figure out which or both.. then I received the letter stating that there are issues with the turbo. Of course, I am out of warranty, now over 120k and the POS is costing me a fortune! If I had more space I could go on with my issues.

NHTSA ID

11637572

Incident

Jan 11, 2021

Oil burning off for no reason and the coming system not worming properly

NHTSA ID

11609913

Incident

Feb 22, 2024

Are the super boost on my vehicle is not working and I have took in it to the shop and got a Netflix and they say the boost is brand new, but the valves were exchanged out and still having check engine light stating it’s the boost in the vehicle when going above 60 it loses power and is not accelerate higher

NHTSA ID

11518733

Incident

Mar 1, 2023

My car is continuously stuttering while driving on the highway and on neighborhood roads/when at the light. I have attempted to get help and am told that it is the turbocharge and that the turbocharge consistently goes out on the vehicle that I own (2017 chevy trax). I do not understand why I can't get it fixed if they are saying they know what it is and that it is something that is happening so often that they know about it. I live in a city and people are always driving too close and too fast. I do not want to die in this car because my turbocharge goes out while I'm on the highway and I can't maneuver fast enough. This has been going on for several months now and no one is able or willing to help.

NHTSA ID

11475099

Incident

Jul 20, 2022

Keep getting service stabilitrak

NHTSA ID

11432057

Incident

Sep 7, 2021

I DROVE MY TRAX YESTERDAY WITH NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER, THIS MORNING I GET INTO MY VEHICLE AT HOME, START THE CAR AND WITHIN TWO MINUTES, ITS FULL OF SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE FRONT OF THE TRAX STARTS MAKING HORRIBLE NOISES AND SHAKING. I TURN THE CAR OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR A FEW MINUTES, TRY TO START IT UP AGAIN AND IT WILL NOT TURN OVER. THERE ARE NO FLUIDS ON THE GROUND, NO WIRING THAT I COULD SEE UNDONE, NOT SURE ON WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I DO HAVE IT BEING TOWED TO A CERTIFIED DEALERSHIP TO GET IT LOOKED AT AND PRAYING FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11407562

Incident

Apr 12, 2021

Mileage

63,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 CHEVROLET TRAX. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ON THE FREEWAY ON AN INCLINE AND WHEN LED OFF THE BRAKE, THE VEHICLE ROLLBACK AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOR THE OTHER DRIVER WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED, THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO NEITHER OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GORDON CHEVROLET, INC (1850 FORD RD, GARDEN CITY, MI 48135) AND WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT MENTION THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE IN HER DRIVEWAY IT WILL ROLLBACK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.

NHTSA ID

11340650

Incident

Dec 12, 2019

Mileage

46,000 mi