2019 Chevrolet Trax Engine Problems

I have 36400 miles on my vehicle. It has been to dealer for service as per maintenance manual On Monday the water pump blew. The oil covers blew. They are not even scheduled to be inspected until 60000 Miles I now have a 1800 bill. Service man said these things happen. They don’t make them like they used to. WHAT In 2022 the whole radiator system had to be replaced at 26000 miles Tuesday while taking the car to dealership not knowing what was wrong I broke down on the 405freeway during rush hour. Horrible experience. I told service man to make sure this wouldn’t happen to me driving home. All he said was you’ll be fine I asked if he was going to be checking the belts hoses etc. connected to the water pump. He said no. That’ll be more money. Please help.

NHTSA ID

11749773

Incident

Jul 7, 2026

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA ID

11728719

Incident

Feb 18, 2026

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..

NHTSA ID

11719108

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

At roughly 90,000 miles, the turboboost charger went out in this vehicle and needed to be replaced. After speaking with my mechanic and other Chevy owners, it is a common issue in these vehicles, with many needing to be replaced well before the 90,000 mile mark that I hit.

NHTSA ID

11719015

Incident

Feb 16, 2026

One of the first things I've noticed about my car is in the summer, when it's at least 75 degrees, my transmission will hesitate while speeding up. In march of 2024, my check engine light came on, i brought it into chevy and they said i needed a new turbo, so i asked them about a loaner car in the meantime while it gets fixed, they said no. they were on backorder for my turbo. So they told me to keep driving it while the part gets delivered. I did that. Eventually my turbo came in, brought my car in, they took it, put a new turbo in. When I went to get my car, I test drove it on the highway, speeding up slowly, and while doing that, I blew my engine. I lugged it back by going 20 mph back to the shop, luckily it was just off the highway. I brought it back and told them something happened, they checked it out and let me know that my engine, exhaust and all the needed components are broken. They finally decided to give me a loaner car, although I did have to fight for it a little bit at the end of my car getting finished, they wanted me to pay $1200. I refused as them having me drive my car while its broken is not a good idea and not my fault that it blew. I argued my side and got it down to $600. the next month on the 16th, i stopped to get gas and when i left the gas station, while speeding up, my car comes to an almost dead stop, so i pull it over, all lights on dash flashing, and car will not turn over. got it towed and they changed battery. a year later, my check engine light comes on again, I scan the code, it's the turbo. But it goes away. In January my temp sensor went out and my car said it was overheating as I was driving on the highway with no dash lights. 13th of february, my engine light came on while on my way home. I brought it to a local small shop Where they told me I need a new turbo again.

NHTSA ID

11718810

Incident

Feb 13, 2026

This 2019 Chevrolet Trax has had the same dangerous and expensive problem twice: In 2022, when the car had just over 35,000 miles, it started to lose acceleration, especially at highway speeds, slowing it to a dangerously slow pace in traffic. At a later time, the check engine light came on. Culver City Chevrolet replaced the turbo charger under warranty. In late January and early February, 2026, after only about 25,000 miles of use since the repair, the car exhibited similar failure to accelerate on the highway and in local traffic and the check engine light came on. It requires a new turbocharger again at a cost of approximately $3,500. The 2019 Chevrolet Trax is not trustworthy for safety with this recurring issue.

NHTSA ID

11716651

Incident

Feb 1, 2026

Bought 6/17/2023 with 81k miles (1.4L turbo). By ~7/1/2023 it ran rough and hesitated after refueling. Firestone (Brick, NJ, 7/5/2023 at 82,090 miles) said radiator leaking; keep topping off; noted open Chevy “special coverage” bulletin. Over ~2 years kept adding coolant (high consumption). Rough running worsened. Lester Glenn Chevy (Toms River, NJ, 10/20/2025 at 122,815 miles) replaced the evaporative emissions purge valve under special coverage N212338400; fixed post-refuel roughness but not overall rough running. Regular oil changes; last 10/1/2025 at 121,872 miles. Codes then: P0171, P0299, P0300, P0442, P0449, P0496. On 11/27/2025, at ~60 mph uphill on the Garden State Parkway, engine shook, dash showed “Engine Power Reduced/Service StabiliTrak” (CEL blinking), lost acceleration. Pulled over and towed; white smoke at tailpipe. Tow driver suspected coolant ingestion/head-gasket failure needing engine replacement. Odometer: 124,180. Traded in on 11/29/2025 at Automotive Avenues (Wall, NJ); no manufacturer/police/insurance inspection.

NHTSA ID

11710113

Incident

Nov 27, 2025

Started my car and it made a noise that didnt sound good. Took it to Van Chevrolet and they said it was my turbo. My car is under 100,000 miles, 2019, and giving the code that should qualify it on the recall list. They are trying to charge me 4000 to fix and have not given a rental which is about to make me lose everything.

NHTSA ID

11708299

Incident

Dec 18, 2025

The turbocharger cracked at only 50,000 miles. My mechanic stated it is a common issue with this engine size.

NHTSA ID

11701583

Incident

May 30, 2024

Engine light with P0299 code: Turbocharger/Supercharger Underboost. Car had hard time accelerating, especially going up the hills. Turbocharge By-Pass Valve replaced at a service center. Engine light came on again 2 weeks later when getting onto the freeway, attempting to accelerate to 70 mph. Same p0299 code. No prior concerns or symptoms, the car is under 89,000 miles.

NHTSA ID

11700139

Incident

Oct 17, 2025

The turbocharger in this vehicle cracked at around 50,000 miles and my mechanic predicts it will happen again after another 50,000. This makes the vehicle unable to accelerate at unpredictable times, making the safety of the driver of the vehicle, as well as others on the road, compromised. My mechanic believes this is a common problem with GM vehicles of this engine size. Please advise. Thank you.

NHTSA ID

11679383

Incident

Aug 1, 2024

October 2024 the turbocharger was replaced. A few weeks ago check engine light came on. Bad turbocharger again while I was on a highway the car stopped running. Dealer said they will not replace it under the parts warranty. They said it was 3 quarts low on oil and I need to show receipts for last 3 oil changes. From previous times there they knew my son is a mechanic & did oil changes. They wanted me to call my son to ask him how much oil he put in 🙄 after looking online it is a very common problem with the Chevy turbochargers. It will but an excessive amount of oil and cause it to be black and sludgy. I emailed the general manager. He never responded. I also filed a complaint with GM and consumer protection. When they replaced it in October it was still under the extended warranty. It is now over the 100,000 miles. However, I think a turbocharger should last more than 6 months. I could have been killed on the highway while broken down due to a part they know is defective. Instead they treated me like trash. It is not the first time they have done this to me. The car already has a new radiator, transmission, faulty turbocharger, and something with the valves was fixed. The car is a lemon. I just want them to be held accountable since they know this is a common occurrence with the Chevy turbochargers

NHTSA ID

11663664

Incident

May 20, 2025

Turbo Charger/Super charger is not following sufficient air. The vehicle does not excelerate, and slowed down in the middle of traffic. I had to turn the car off for 15 minuetes. Before i could drive home. Check engine light continues to disappear and reappear for the last 60 days. Diagnostic code P0299. GMC will not cover the cost under special coverage, known issues with 2017-2018 which GMC has special coverage.

NHTSA ID

11659757

Incident

Apr 27, 2025

Truck has code P0299. Turbo underboost. Reduced acceleration, lack of power, and a check engine light.

NHTSA ID

11642630

Incident

Feb 7, 2025

My check engine light came on after filling up with gas, after checking the purge valve cantilever was bad, I bought it and had licensed mechanic who owns his business replace it. Once again the check engine might came on. The error was cylinder 4 miss , I was told either the spark plug or coil was bad. My mechanic said ger coil and if that's not it he would replace spark plugs. I purchased the coil for a four cylinder engine because that's the only way they come. My mechanic took off the part which was broke and upon taking it out.he saw water in the coil holder and told me this was bad. He suggested I look up recalls on my vehicle upon which I found e recall on the puge valve along with a recall on the coil system which described the same problem of water leaking into the engine. After call recall department I was told they would cover the purge valve repair but there was no recall attached to my vin on other problem which should be. I bought the car with 28000 miles on it and have less than 44000 on it now. It should be covered under thus recall I have done all maintenance required and don't put many miles on it. I am a retired individual living on a budgeted income and thus problem should be covered under recall as it is the same problem as others have had. My

NHTSA ID

11637022

Incident

Jan 17, 2025

My car’s engine started to get loud one day and would run roughly as I drive. I got it check and the service center couldn’t find the issue as the car was good on all its fluids and there weren’t any leaks anywhere. Then some days passed and my vehicle started to slow down drastically on a highway (speed limit of 65) and my car would struggle to accelerate and so I was forced to switch from the middle lanes on the left to the lane all the way in the right, it was very difficult to do so as cars were passing me at high speeds. My car was struggling to accelerate and the engine started running rough. The engine light then came on. So I got it checked ant a local service center and I was told my turbocharger had to be replaced as it malfunctioned somehow. I can’t drive my car as it would be traveling way below the speed limit. I did not bring it to my dealer yet.

NHTSA ID

11620742

Incident

Oct 19, 2024

2 years ago, my mother, previous owner, replaced water pump with dealership in Colorado. The car was around 2.5 years old. And less than 30,000 miles. About 6 months ago my overflow container was so hot it cracked. Idle hot came on. New container was purchased. 2 months less ago my car started to idle hot according to message on speedometer and NO hot temp was visible. Also, no check engine light was on. Water pump went out again. Less than 70,000 miles. Replaced water pump. Thermastat. Thermostat housing AND overflow because warped lid due to HOT. This weekend (XXX) my car has no check engine light, less than 70000 miles. Ran hot again. Smells like an oily sweet smell. Looked at oil cap. Milky substance. Appears head gasket is now out. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11590753

Incident

May 23, 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and decelerated dramatically. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was steered to the side of the road and inspected. The vehicle was then taken to the residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the turbo had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 46,000.

NHTSA ID

11590109

Incident

Jan 15, 2024

Mileage

46,000 mi

When the engine is cold and temperature is Below freezing the car idles rough and burns oil

NHTSA ID

11566567

Incident

Jan 19, 2024

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the check engine and engine power reduced warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated pulled off the roadway and stopped the vehicle. The contact turned off the vehicle and on several occasions the vehicle regained normal functionality. The contact stated that the failure occurred in cold weather and the failure occurred at various speeds. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent but had become a recurring failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 79,000.

NHTSA ID

11559794

Incident

Nov 11, 2022

Mileage

79,000 mi

Design flaw turbo returns too close to exhaust manifold plastic tube melted turbo burned out due to oil leakage to to dealership to make diagnostic and they could not find anything .oil started leaking after my second oil change . Oil has run all the way to the fuel tank can cause a fire . Do I need to pay for this or a dealer issue

NHTSA ID

11536880

Incident

May 8, 2020

The contact owns a 2019 Chevrolet Trax. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, she heard an abnormal sound coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact’s wife veered off the road to inspect underneath the hood of the vehicle when the radiator cap popped open and burned the contact’s wife. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed, and it was determined that the cooling fan had malfunctioned. Additionally, the electrical circuits failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer where it was being repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000. The VIN was unavailable.

NHTSA ID

11533611

Incident

Jun 21, 2023

Mileage

80,000 mi

Numerous problems with engine overheating light coming on, leaking coolant, going up hill, car hesitate, car shakes at times.

NHTSA ID

11531703

Incident

Jun 13, 2023

The issues with the car happen when attempting to go over 40mph. After maybe 10-15min of driving, if attempting to go over 40mph, the car starts making a clinking sound, a lot of exhaust smoke comes out the back and there is a general inability to accelerate without the engine sputtering which even happened at lower speeds once it has already started to happen. The check engine light come on when this occurs. Our safety does seem to be at risk as we cannot seem to keep up with traffic speeds and would likely cause an accident if we remain on the road while the car is exhibiting these conditions. After I told the dealership about how long in driving it takes to recreate the problem, the dealership that currently holds the car(Jennings Chevrolet in Glenview, IL) were able to reproduce the problem. My parents and I went on Feb 16th, 2023 to Napleton Hyundai in Glenview and bought the car used and after 2 days of driving, my parents were having issues with the car and being able to accelerate. At the time it was diagnosed as a catalytic converter and flex pipe problem. Those items were backordered and were not able to be replaced until 2 months after our original complaint. During those 2 months of waiting, my parents were instructed not to take the highway and not to exceed 40mph. Upon getting the car back on April 26th, it took merely 4-5 more days for the problems to come back again. We also found that on Dec 17th, 2022, the previous owner took the car in with the same problems and after getting an estimate, declined service and took the car back Dec 28th, 2022. The vehicle has been looked at by Napleton Hyundai in Glenview, Jennings Chevy in Glenview and prior to our ownership, Anderson Chevy in Chicago. Anytime the vehicle exhibits the above mentioned problems, the check engine light does come on and usually in addition to the issues listed above, the car seems to be low/out of oil. At this time, we are told the cars issue is the turbo.

NHTSA ID

11522522

Incident

Feb 18, 2023

I have already said what happened and when and outcome it for some reason kicked it out made me start over. I'm attaching a report. I previously last month reported this vehicle

NHTSA ID

11517287

Incident

Feb 22, 2023